Institution Name University of Saskatchewan Department of Computational Science
Program Type informal
Program Name  
Program Description 1) Women in Computer Science mailing list (WCS): The WCS mailing list was started after the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computer Science. This summer (1994) its membership consists of female staff, graduate students and a few undergraduates employed as summer research associates. This fall we intend to get all female undergraduate students subscribed as well as other women working in computer science on campus and in the city. This mailing list is intended to create a network for women in the field of Computer Science within the University community. It is hoped that this will create a sense of community, provide an opportunity to find role models, mentors, and peers; serve as a forum for discussing technical topics, as well as issues such as career advancement, compensation, and work/family; and build a base of support for dealing with issues of concern to women. 2) Informal get togethers for women in the department Typically these have been potluck suppers or lunches of campus. They haven't been scheduled on a regular basis but the members of the WCS mailing list are looking at changing that. 3) Department supports and encourages women attending conferences such as the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing. Related Programs: 4) Peer Mentor Program The peer mentor program attempts to create study groups (of less than 10 students) in the first year computer science major classes. A graduate student is assigned as the mentor for each group, but the groups are intended to foster mutual support among the students themselves. The groups can be self-selected, so that all-female groups with a female graduate student mentor can be formed. Last year was the first year for the peer mentor program; this year the WCS plans to become involved, but haven't worked out the details yet. 5) SWAPS SWAPS (Summer Work for Awareness and Promotion of Science) is a program put on by the Department of Computational Science each summer. A relatively small number of exceptional senior high school students (grade 11 graduates of whom 50 percent are female) of all academic backgrounds and interests from across the province come to the University for one-month. During this time they earn a bursary (that can later be tendered at a provincial institution of higher education) by constructing Hypermedia-based presentations promoting various scientific disciplines. After the program is done these projects are distributed to high schools throughout the province. Among other goals, this is intended to provide high school females with exposure to science as well as give them the idea that there is a role for women in science. 6) SciFi Summer Camp This program is a series of week long summer science camps hosted by the Engineering student society on campus. The Computational Science Department is involved in providing some of the activities for the students. SciFi is aimed at younger students than is SWAPS, but as in SWAPS attempts to be gender balanced. Its primary aim is to show elementary aged students that science can be fun.
Contact Name L. Beth Millar
Contact's Title Research Associate
Contact's Phone  
Contact's Email millar@cs.usask.ca
Web Page  
WPAN Member  
General Comments Our University is heavily committed to policies and activities that support equity and we (the dept.) are actively trying to support these efforts through service on equity committees, taking part in University and other externally sponsored equity activities, and by developing some of our own approaches.
Last Update 1994

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