Zinser, Fernandes, and Rosen : The Glass Ceiling?
Hello all,
What struck me was that these women do have something in common.
Dr. Elisabeth A. Zinser, formerly Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She retired from her last position as the President of Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon in 2005.
Dr. Jane K. Fernandes, formerly Provost of Gallaudet University, and currently she is the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of North Carolina Asheville as of July 1, 2008.
Dr. Roslyn “Roz” Rosen, formerly vice president for Academic Affairs and chief academic officer of Gallaudet University, from 1993 to 1999. Currently, she is the Director of the National Center on Deafness at California State University, Northridge, where she is responsible for student success and effective programs, in collaboration with various student and academic departments throughout the university.
Dr. Zinser was able to break through the “glass ceiling” by holding the highest position, the University President. Zinser held FOUR presidential positions with four different universities! These universities were Southern Oregon University, University of Kentucky-Lexington, University of Idaho, and Gallaudet University.
Dr. Fernandes did not necessarily break the “glass ceiling” by holding a position as the President. She was President Designate of Gallaudet University for several weeks, but it was cut short due to the controversy. After leaving Gallaudet, Fernandes moved on and she became the Vice-Chancellor in a different university.
Dr. Rosen tried to apply for the position as the President of Gallaudet University TWICE, ONCE and she was not selected as one of the finalists. Rosen moved on and she became the Director of NCOD in a different university.
*CORRECTION* Dr. Rosen contacted me and she states that she applied for the position as the President of Gallaudet University once in 2006, not twice. (updated 9/6/09)
Now, Dr. Rosen is one of the four finalists vying for the position as the President of Gallaudet University.
Is it a deja vu all over again?
Will the Gallaudet’s Glass Ceiling break through again?
The Glass Ceiling refers to situations where the advancement of a qualified person within the hierarchy of an organization is stopped at a lower level because of some form of discrimination, most commonly sexism or racism, but since the term was coined, “glass ceiling” has also come to describe the limited advancement of the deaf, blind, disabled, and aged. It is believed to be an unofficial, invisible barrier that prevents women and minorities from advancing in businesses.
Supposely, Dr. Rosen is selected, then the glass ceiling at Gallaudet will be shattered AGAIN! Just like Dr. Zinser as President for seven days, and Dr. Fernandes as President Designate for a few months. Hopefully at this time, it will be permanent!
Move over men! It is a time for “the M.O.M.” to be in charge!
Best,
Amy Cohen Efron
September 3rd, 2009 at 8:09 pm
That’s a good one. I’ve always thought any black men to get promoted at any high-level positions first as *before* any white women to come aboard the same-level positions.
Take a look at Hillary Clinton’s as for instance.
Good Blog.
September 3rd, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Education, Business and Politics – in an order?
Most women achieved highest positions in Education early, then Business and now Politics.
What do you think?
Amy
September 3rd, 2009 at 8:42 pm
In an order? I doubt. IMO, it varies.
What about the Medical and the Researchers? Don’t you forget?
Don’t you forget that there was a “reversed” glass ceiling in the Department of the Nurse back then.
This is 21st century.
September 4th, 2009 at 12:37 am
I do not discriminate among gender, nor race, and the like. I do know that that the four candidates are highly qualified and they may vary in leadership styles. I just hope that the Gallaudet Board of Trustees will select who they feel is the highest qualified candidate based on their qualifications, experience, vision of the future of Gallaudet, interviews with the board and nothing else.
While I know two of the candidates personally, I do not know the other two candidates, but I have heard highly respected opinions of them over the years, and they certainly deserve the benefit of the doubt in my opinion, as equally as the two that I know personally. But I do not get to see all their resumes, I do not get to find out the full knowledge of their experiences, I do not fully get to see exactly what their vision is, etc. That being the case, I will not try to personally handpick one of them either. I would think that the Board, at least by now, will have significantly learned from the past two protests and that they will select who they feel is the best candidates based on the criteria I have outlined, if not more.
It bothers me to see some bloggers/vloggers bashing some of these candidates for their own reasons as that is a “favoritism ploy” on their part and those should not be accounted for and I genuinely hope that the Board is able to ignore these people. If there were actually any one person on this planet that could please every single person, we would likely be living in a perfect world, but you and I both know that is not going to happen.
What I would like to see the Board do, is to hire the next president, not because he or she is a male or a female, because he or she has is the most popular with people, because of their preferred communication mode, etc. I want the Board to make their selection based solely on their qualifications, experience, and most importantly, their vision of the future of Gallaudet and the ability to be able to follow through with their vision, which will be obtained during their interviews.
Amy, I know that women have had to struggle with being in a male dominated world and have had to break though glass ceilings in the past as you mentioned, but I would hope and pray that we are now past that stage where men and women are treated as equal, just the same way that race should be equal, etc. We have made great strides towards that, as we have an african american president of the USA, for example. I do feel that it may be sooner than we think that we may have a female president of our country and if that woman is indeed the best candidate at the time in my opinion, she would certainly have my vote. May the best candidate win!
September 4th, 2009 at 1:34 am
Good blog! Roz will get the position as it is time! History has shown there has been no woman. No excuses!
September 4th, 2009 at 2:48 am
I am looking forward to seeing Dr. Roz Rosen shattering those glass celings at Gallaudet. All kinds of oppressions needs to be left at the doorsteps at Gallaudet and then lead by example.
We Deaf people had enough of those oppression types all of our lives and we are embarking into a new era which is a time for change.
Another thing, I have read somewhere, people are saying Dr. Rosen is too “old” and I want to remind those who thinks so. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 bars age discrimination and age is badge of honor with a lot of experience and wisdom.
September 4th, 2009 at 2:57 am
Interesting DRS EZ, JKF, & Roz’s positions are similar and are successful but Dr EZ is hearing and would be Gallaudet’s first female if not for DPN…JFK would be Gallaudet’s first deaf female if not for “DPN II”. Always Sexism, Racism, Audism, favoritism, Deafism and more. Who are the Governor? Deaf “none” of course. Few women in U.S. who are the governor. Who are the superintendent of all deaf schools? I assume hearing men are always chosen, but few of them who are male and deaf? Ron Stern (of NM) Tucker of (MD) How many deaf Principal (women or men)? Deaf Nurse Who? What most important is..”Focus” who is highly qualified for the job? sexism or sexist still??? Hope not another DPN III
September 4th, 2009 at 5:30 am
If Dr. Rosen is selected it’s only because she earned this in the very first place. She was on track to succeed Dr. Jordan or Dr. Davila (had he been selected in 1983 (I learned in his memoir) or 1988 which I wrote about while a freshman back in in high school about what really constitute a deaf person after irony becoming rampant (e.g. militants signing “Deaf Power” rallying Dr. Jordan). Naturally, “told you so, pal” vindication served me well for decades since.
Amy, I have a question. If Rosen was everything you know and read only she accomplished everything as a male. What will you make of this whole gender issue as far as the presidency is concerned? Will you choose a male Dr. Rosen?
September 4th, 2009 at 6:10 am
Good question! Full disclosure here, I am a woman and I know how it feels being in an organization or business that is dominated by men in administrative positions. I have seen a few women trying to climb to the top positions were treated harshly by their colleagues. Looking back in history, assuming Dr. Rosen is a male, “he” may be one of the finalists for the first Presidential search with Dr. Zinser and Dr. Jordan, replacing Dr. Harvey Corson. That male Dr. Rosen probably will be one of the finalists, and will not be able to get this position in 1988 and 1996 Presidential search processes. Right now, the argument is a moot point, because Dr. Rosen, herself is one of the finalists!
September 4th, 2009 at 6:14 am
I don’t think it will be another protest, pray not! This kind of discussion do raise issues about sexism, racism, ageism, antisemitism, and more. It is quite obvious that the glass ceiling applies to the minorities who are highly qualified for many influential positions that can influence more than anything. That’s something we all need to discuss further.
September 4th, 2009 at 7:58 am
No way! Not Roz! She is still too OLD to lead.
September 4th, 2009 at 8:48 am
It is better off for her to stay where she is now. ; )
September 4th, 2009 at 9:24 am
From what I understand many students at Gallaudet are elated and happy with the four finalist. However, it appears that many Gally Alumni are not thrilled. I for one. I think that many of us wanted to see someone new, for instance. But, since we are stuck with these four. I originally thought, Roz Rosen. But, the more I thought about it..I realize Hurwitz might be the better choice if we want to see transparency in the University. Let’s look at who the other three are, deeply. And their connection not only to the University but to the social aspects within the community. I need not go into too much details here. If one is keen, one would understand where I’m coming from.
If there is a protest, which there isn’t going to be (the students love em all), it will KILL Gallaudet.
The students need to really ask HARD questions from these finalist when they show up on campus.
May the best (wo)man win.
September 4th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Valhallian…..
Uh-huh….”A male Dominated World!” Hey, Women’s Lib…..Pssst…..we still need both maid and butler to take care of us. H-E-L-P!
Your comment have said it all, it’s a Common Knowledge.
September 4th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Do we know who was on the Presidential Search Advisory Committee (PSAC)? Is that public knowledge or not? Just curious.
September 4th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
ahh, nevermind my recent question. It’s on Gallaudet’s site.
September 5th, 2009 at 12:42 am
Personally I’d be pleased no matter which of the four are selected. If it were up to me, Dr. Hurwitz might be the more interesting choice because he brings an outside experience with universities, while the other three are long-term Gallaudet people. Just my opinion, all other factors being equal.
September 5th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
I am not sure to agree with your commentary of Roz Rosen was not selected because of the glass ceiling.
I understand that Dr. Jordan personally hated Roz Rosen so I feel that she was not selected due to the “Jordan” ceiling instead of the glass ceiling.
Remember that during the time of UFG protest, NOBODY trusted the PSC because Jordan was being suspected for manipulating the PSC decision.
After the era of the Unity for Galluadet Protest movement, it began the process of de-audistic-corrupted Gallaudet University politics including the removal of the “Jordan” ceiling. The chance for selecting Roz Rosen is positively increased..
Alan Hurwitz – I knew him being a good man but I am not sure to see how Alan Hurwitz can be fitted in the anti-audistic atmosphere of the Gallaudet University.
His 39 years experience molded deeply into the audistic-oriented ideology in NTID/RIT politics. Please don’t forget that Gallaudet University is not NTID or RIT.
September 19th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Interesting commentary, Amy. I do think women in general make better leaders than men, and it is appearing in today politics. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/27152.html
Roz isn’t too old to lead. As CSUN student for whole time during Roz’s directorship, I can say that she has much energy, and age isn’t a barrier to anything.
I only wish Roz would stay at CSUN little longer to finish her job.