Tara Lambert (center) is the Heyer Scholarship winner for 2000. On her right are Susan Lehrer and Rhoda and Bernie Heyer. On her left are Pat Clarke and Amy Kesselman.

Women's Studies is an interdisciplinary academic program offering a Bachelor of Arts degree, a minor, and a Women's Studies/ Elementary major. The foundation of the program is the study of women, past and present, in various fields of inquiry. The courses examine the presuppositions of academic disciplines from a feminist perspective. They explore aspects of women's social, cultural and political experience in the United States and throughout the world.

Some courses are interdisciplinary Women's Studies courses. Others are offered through other college departments. An interdisciplinary course,Women: Images and Realities provides the introduction to the program.

The Women's Studies Program supports a variety of campus activities. Student organizations include Social Change for Womyn, African Women's Alliance, Latinas Unidas, a Feminist Majority Leadership Association (FMLA) chapter.

The Program sponsors lectures and films in conjunction with other organizations. Women's Studies hosts an annual conference. A Colloquium series provides a forum for students and faculty to discuss their research in Women's Studies.

Because the Women's Studies Program at SUNY New Paltz is committed to improving the position of women on this campus and in the community, the program concerns itself with discrimination against women students and faculty, with affirmative action, and with the general expansion of campus services for women.

For further information contact:
Heather Hewett, Coordinator (845) 257-2978
Women's Studies Program
SUNY New Paltz
1 Hawk Drive
New Paltz, New York 12561

How Our Program is Run

The Women's Studies governance structure has evolved over the years. Our goal is to involve members of the Program's various constituencies in decision making about both curricular and extracurricular matters. Below is a description of the committees which comprise our current governance structure. The success of the governance structure depends on the active participation of faculty, students, staff and community members.

Steering Committee
The steering committee makes all policy and program decisions regarding the women's studies program. It plans cultural and educational programs and makes decisions about the relationship of the women's studies program to developments on the campus. It is composed of faculty, students, professional staff, community members, the coordinator and program assistant. It meets approximately every three weeks. Curriculum/Personnel Committee.

This committee reports to the steering committee. It plans the schedule of classes each semester, interviews candidates for part time teaching positions in the women's studies program, periodically reviews curriculum and makes recommendations on various curricular matters. In the last 10 years the curriculum committee prepared a proposal for a women's studies education major, which was approved fall 1993, and worked on women's studies relationship to the general education program. It is composed of faculty, students, non-teaching professionals and the coordinator of women's studies. It meets as needed.

Awards and Scholarships

MARTHA BARNETT SCHOLARSHIP
$100 (Two available)
Each year at graduation the Martha Barnett Scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior. The award was established in l979 in memory of Martha Barnett, former professor of economics, to honor the values by which she lived: scholarship, moral leadership and service, focused especially on women's issues.

HEYER SCHOLARSHIP
$500 (One available)
The Women's Studies Program at New Paltz is pleased to announce the sixth year of the Erna Lynne Heyer Memorial Scholarship. This endowed scholarship of $500 has been established by the Heyer family in memory of Erna Lynne Heyer, a Women's Studies student at New Paltz who graduated in 1976. New Paltz continued to be a special place for her up to the time of her death in August, l986.

In honor of Erna Lynne Heyer's commitment to women's issues, this scholarship is awarded annually to a SUNY New Paltz senior or graduate who majored or minored in Women's Studies. Applicants should be enrolled in (or anticipate being accepted into) a graduate program in human service oriented fields (full or part time). In the past six years awards have been given to students pursuing graduate education in social work, law and humanistic education. The scholarship will be awarded to a student whose life exemplifies Erna Lynne Heyer's commitment to improving the lives of women. Current Women's Studies seniors and alumnae are eligible.

ALICE FIX AWARD
This award was established in 1984 in honor of a faculty member of the program. It recognizes contributions to the campus community on behalf of women's issues.

PAT CLARKE SCHOLARSHIP FOR RETURNING WOMEN STUDENTS
Our longtime program assistant, Pat Clarke retired in December 2002. In honor of the numerous contributions she made to the Women's Studies Program, a scholarship has been established in her name. Funded by Women's Studies donors. It will be awarded to a returning woman student majoring in Women's Studies or Humanistic Education with a concentration Women's Studies.