Well, it's happening again. UT is losing another highly qualified female administrator. Zauyah Waite, who has served as associate vice president and dean of students for two years, will be leaving for Chatham University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She will be joining such illustrious administrators of yore as former Vice Provost for Academic Programs and Policies Carol Bresnahan, former Associate Dean for Arts and Humanities in the College of Arts and Sciences Debra Stoudt, former Vice President for Finance and Planning Dawn Rhodes and Interim Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences Sue Ott Rowlands.
The complaint is often made, sometimes in these editorials, that this marks a deplorable disregard for not only the sacrifices that these administrators have made for this university and the value of their presence, but also of gender equality. There is, after all, no shortage of white males holding power at this and other academic institutions across the country.
But perhaps these complaints have been somewhat short-sided. Maybe UT's president and provosts have simply been allowing or even encouraging these apt administrators to advance their careers at other universities by earning more or becoming provosts, vice chancellors and vice presidents themselves. UT administrators aren't trying their hardest to keep these valuable assets, but they're at least allowing them to grow and expand their careers elsewhere in academia.
And let us not forget that the flow of traffic isn't just one way. In the past couple of months, the incoming Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Nina McClelland, special assistant to Main Campus Provost Rosemary Haggett, Jackie Layng and Dean of the College of Health Science and Human Service Beverly Schmoll have all been appointed to fairly prestigious positions. Layng was already a associate professor in communications here, but her appointment is evidence of upward mobility for women at UT.
On a personal note, the editorial staff here at The Independent Collegian would like to congratulate Waite on her promotion and wish her the best in the future. She will be missed, particularly for her dedication to helping and advocating for students.
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