Title: UNB. Task Force on the Status of Women at the University of New Brunswick fonds. – 1967-1987; predominant 1975-1979. –  80 cm of textual records.

Administrative History: In 1975, under the direction of UNB President John Anderson, faculty members Dr. Gertrude Gunn, Professor Irene Leckie, Dr. Barbara Pepperdene and Dr. Sharon Bachinski were invited to form an Advisory Board to identify the best method of investigating the status of women at UNB.   In the same year, the Advisory Board members attended the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) Conference on the subject of Women and Universities, held in Ottawa.  They compiled a report to the President recommending the setting up of a Task Force, and in 1976 John Anderson initiated the Task Force on the Status of Women at UNB.

The Task Force, consisting of almost twenty members, first met in May, 1976, under the Chairmanship of Dr. Mervyn Franklin (V-P Academic).  Nine faculties were represented on the Task Force (including 2 from UNBSJ), as well as the Comptroller, a social scientist, representatives from personnel, public relations and the library, technical and support staff, and students.  Several Task Force committees were instigated to undertake thorough evaluations of specific areas and to compile briefs.  In addition, students were employed by the Task Force to investigate and report on the status of women students at UNB.  The Task Force conducted interviews with a cross-section of people, including faculty and staff, student services, and citizens with an interest in UNB, as well as students themselves.  Questionnaires were distributed, and briefs containing individual and group opinions/arguments were submitted to the Task Force.  In October, 1977 the Task Force Editorial Committee began the process of merging all the information collected into a report for the President.  The report detailed areas of concern and made recommendations that would enhance the position of women at UNB.  In August, 1978 Dean Irene Leckie took over the Chairmanship of the Task Force from Dr. Mervyn Franklin, and one year later the completed Task Force Report was presented to the President.

Scope and Content:  This fonds documents the initiation through to completion of the report compiled for the President on the Status of Women at UNB.  Material is comprised of AUCC, Task Force, and Open meeting minutes and agendas; reports from the various Task Force Committees; internal memoranda and external correspondence with organisations including  Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women (CRIAW), Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT), and the NB Government; speeches; questionnaires and briefs; newspaper clippings and other publicity material; and reference documentation.   A copy of the final Task Force Report to the President and Follow-Up Reports are also contained in this fonds.  The format of the material is original and copied in both manuscript and typescript.  

The fonds is divided into six series:

    Series 1 :  Briefs and Reports; 1976-1987 -  predominant 1976-1979
    Series 2 :  Task Force Agendas and Minutes; 1975-1977
    Series 3 :  Task Force General Administration and Correspondence; 1972-1979
    Series 4 :  Publicity and Speeches; 1974-1977
    Series 5 :  AUCC (Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada) documentation;1975-1977
    Series 6 :  Reference Material; 1967-1978 - predominant 1972-1978

Notes:

Title: Title is based on the name of the creator.

Immediate Source of Acquisition:  This material was deposited at the UNB Archives on three separate occasions.  The majority (approx 56 cm) was transferred from Dr. Gillian Thompson on 26th October, 1979, the remainder being deposited by librarian Janet Phillipps (approx 28 cm) on 12th March 1981 (13 cm) and in November, 1987 (13 cm).

Arrangement: Largely imposed by the Archivist.

Access: Open access with the exception of a few files which are restricted because they contain personal information.  See Series 1 Sub-Series 2.

Finding Aid: A full finding aid is available on request.

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Last Update: 2005/02/17