Members Present:
Dr. Willie Pearson, Jr., Chair, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Dr. Indira Nair, Vice-Chair Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Dr. David R. Burgess, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA
Dr. Luis Echegoyen, Clemson University, Clemson, SC
Dr. Marian Johnson-Thompson, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, RTP, NC
Dr. Beverly Karplus Hartline, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL
Dr. Robert L. Lichter, Merrimack Consultants, LLC, Atlanta, GA
Dr. Gustavo Roig, Florida International University, Miami, FL
Dr. Carol Halpert Schwartz, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY
Dr. Telle Whitney, Institute for Women and Technology, Palo Alto, CA
Dr. Thomas Windham, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO
Dr. Lilian Shiao-Yen Wu, IBM Corporation, Somers, NY
Ms. Sara Young, American Indian Research Opportunities, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
Members Absent:
Dr. J.K. Haynes, Division of Science and Mathematics, Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA
Executive Liaison and Executive Secretary:
Dr. Margaret E. M Tolbert, Senior Advisor, Office of Integrative Activities, National Science Foundation (NSF)
Non-Members Who Presented Oral or Written Statements or Interacted in Other Substantive Manners:
Dr. Joseph Bordogna, Deputy Director, National Science Foundation
Dr. Joan S. Burrelli, Senior Analyst, Division of Science Resources Statistics, SBE/NSF
Dr. Linda T. Carlson, Director, Division of Science Resources Statistics, SBE/NSF
Dr. Rita R. Colwell, Director, National Science Foundation
Dr. Mary J. Frase, Deputy Division Director, Division of Science Resources Statistics, SBE/NSF
Mr. Ronald S. Fresco, Senior Analyst, Division of Science Resources Statistics, SBE/NSF
Dr. Nancy Eynon Lark, Director, Director, Educational Foundation, American Association of University Women
Dr. Kathie L. Olsen, Associate Director for Science, Office of Science & Technology Policy, Executive Office of the President
Ms. Ana A. Ortiz, Director, Office of Equal Opportunity Programs, NSF
Dr. Nathaniel G. Pitts, Director, Office of Integrative Activities, NSF
Ms. Jean Pomeroy, Senior Policy Analyst, National Science Board
Dr. Ruta P. Sevo, Program Director for GDSE, HRD/EHR/NSF
Dr. Eric J. Sheppard, Director, Graduate Research Fellowship Program, DGE/EHR/NSF
Student Interns, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
Student Interns, Quality Education for Minorities Network
Mr. John Tsapogas, Senior Analyst, Division of Science Resources Statistics, SBE/NSF
Mr. John F. Wilkinson, Senior Staff Associate for 'workforce Development, Office of the Director of NSF
The summer meeting of the Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering (CEOSE) was held June 12-13, 2003 at the National Science Foundation in Arlington, Virginia.
Dr. Indira Nair, Vice Chair, called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. and welcomed the Committee members. Introductions were made.
Members confirmed the approval of the minutes of the February 20-21, 2003 meeting, which were approved by the Chair of CEOSE on May 21, 2003.
Dr. Margaret E.M. Tolbert, NSF Executive Liaison and CEOSE Executive Secretary, provided an overview of the NSF Appropriations for FY2003 and the FY2004 request and related it to program thrusts. In February 2003, Dr. Tolbert noted that H.R. 4664 (page 81), the NSF Authorization Bill, requires three reports from CEOSE. She reminded CEOSE members of that requirement. She also indicated that an NSF Diversity Committee has been formed to develop the framework for an NSF Diversity Plan in response to an NSF performance goal. Dr. Tolbert advised that the National Science Board has drafted a national workforce policy statement on which CEOSE members are invited to make comments. Dr. Tolbert announced that interns from the Quality Education for Minorities Network and the Hispanic Association for Colleges and Universities were in attendance at the meeting. Each intern introduced himself/herself to the Committee.
Dr. Nair asked for comments on the agenda and the identification of any additional items for discussion. No changes in the printed agenda were requested. She announced that three persons have been appointed to CEOSE membership: Dr. John K. Haynes of Morehouse College (June 2003 to May 2006), Dr. Samuel L. Myers, Jr. of the University of Minnesota (October 2003 to September 2006), and Dr. Joyce B. Justus of the University of California at Santa-Cruz (October 2003 to September 2006). ACTION: Dr. Nair stated that an engineer should be added to the CEOSE membership, especially since Dr. Roig's term is ending.
Committee members discussed details required in the CEOSE reports (see H.R. 4664, page 81). Page 15 of the CEOSE 2002 Biennial Report to Congress lists 2003-4 CEOSE initiatives. NSF has taken into account many items included in the report, specifically the one pertinent to the enforcement of Criterion 2. The committee requested that appropriate information in past reports be integrated into future reports. RECOMMENDATION: That CEOSE biennial reports continue to be short with real substance. An executive summary of each of the three ten-year reports required by Congress should be placed into the 2004 biennial report.
Dr. Kathie Olsen, Associate Director for Science in the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) in the Executive Office of the President, described OSTP as the scientific policy arm of the President. OSTP is responsible for advising the President and providing S&T; analyses and judgment with respect to major policies, plans, programs, and budgets. OSTP leads the interagency effort to develop sound S&T; policies and budgets, and it has a variety of roles. She discussed challenges and opportunities associated with assuring an educated society in S&T; and an appropriate STEM workforce. In addition to discussing the representation of women and minorities who are underrepresented in the science and engineering workforce, she also talked about ongoing activities to address issues of the STEM workforce including the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Committee on Science and the Presidential Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). Dr. Olsen complimented NSF and other federal agencies on their strong programs to encourage minorities, women, and persons with disabilities to enter STEM fields. There are innumerable benefits from an educated populace. At the end of the discussion period that included all CEOSE members, Dr. Olsen concluded that OSTP wants to keep gates open for those opportunities and investment in education that are important for all US citizens. ACTION: Within a few months, Dr. Olsen will organize a group of federal officials to be briefed on the most recent CEOSE report. The results of this discussion will be useful in the development of the biennial report for 2004. ACTION: Send copies of the 2002 and future CEOSE biennial reports to members of PCAST. If the opportunity to address PCAST arises, the appropriate person should make sure that CEOSE is on the agenda. The shortage in the S&T; workforce is a global issue.
With the aid of several data-filled slides, Ms. Ana Ortiz, Director, Office of Equal Opportunity Programs/NSF, provided a profile of the NSF workforce. The Scientific and Engineering staff (where a degree is required) make up 42% of the NSF workforce, while Business Operations and Program Support make up 36% and 22% of the NSF workforce, respectively. The total NSF workforce size is 1,409, including permanent, temporary, and intermediate staff members. There is representation of all minority groups. There are no American Indians on the Business Operations staff. Non-Whites make up 16% of the S&E;, 42% of the Business Operations, and 78% of the Program Support workforces. In the S&E; group, males are in greater number. In Business Operations and Program Support (excluding IPAs), there are more females on staff. Ms. Ortiz provided a great deal of information on the NSF workforce in comparison to the civilian labor force.
Ms. Jean Pomeroy, Senior Policy Analyst/National Science Board presented to CEOSE the new NSB report on the National Workforce Policy for Science and Engineering. Hard copies of the draft report were made available for review by CEOSE members. Several NSF reports served as sources of background information for this report. The Task Force on the National Workforce Policies for Science and Engineering prepared the draft report. This Task Force reports to the NSB Committee on Education and Human Resources. Recommendations included in the draft report are in five areas: Undergraduate education in S&E; advanced education; precollege teaching workforce for mathematics, science, and technology; US engagement in the international science and engineering workforce; and knowledge base in S&E; workforces. These include adequate stipends, broader educational options responsive to opportunities in the workforce, the provision of consistent, long-term support for disciplinary and interdisciplinary programs. Ms. Pomeroy noted that the deadline for the receipt of comments on the report is July 1, 2003. ACTION: CEOSE members decided to provide comments on the NSB policy as a group. Comments are to be provided to Dr. Nair by e-mail, and she will compile and submit them to NSB.
With the completion of Dr. Pearson's report on a prior meeting he and Dr. Nair had with Dr. Colwell, CEOSE members developed their strategy for use in interacting with Dr. Colwell.
Dr. Colwell thanked CEOSE members for giving their time to NSF. NSF is working hard to increase its diversity. The threat involved in losing leadership in STEM fields is second only to that of nuclear weapons. The US needs all available talent and intellect. NSF has taken the advice of CEOSE seriously to integrate programs vertically to make sure programs for K-12 link with high school and undergraduate programs to graduate programs to mentoring programs and career development. Also, we are studying horizontal integration. As a result, it was found that NSF is doing more than originally thought. On a related topic, CEOSE might want to identify some best practices for measuring student progress in STEM and provide opportunities for young people to test their STEM levels compared to the national norm. One way to do this is by providing a web site where students can complete the TIMSS test. This would provide an independent measure of their educational success at various levels. NSF is eager and anxious to do everything it can to make significant progress in areas that are important for our country. Following the opening comments by Dr. Colwell, CEOSE members posed several questions and made comments pertinent to the committee's mandate. Also, the QEM and HACU interns who attended the meeting made comments on careers, the importance of having mentors and role models, and the importance of establishing a US-based human resource.
Dr. Hartline reported on behalf of the ad hoc subcommittee that is charged with reviewing past CEOSE minutes and reports. She presented selected information from all of the minutes and most CEOSE reports. The excerpted information addressed one of the following themes: The Need for Data That Can Be Dissected in Different Ways, Increasing Inclusiveness from Kindergarten through Advanced Careers, Accountability, Sustaining Improvements of Practices, Criterion 2 and the Need for SRS Type Data in Reference to It, and Cost Sharing Requirement Issues.
Dr. Pearson noted that Dr. Tolbert organized and implemented a most useful training session for new CEOSE members; some current members attended the session too. He encouraged members to bring forth ideas and recommendations for consideration and to suggest persons to whom speaking invitations should be extended. CEOSE must become more visible in the political arena, as well as other sectors. ACTION: CEOSE needs to find a way to disseminate information, such as that which informs people of color of the various roles that they can have as scientists and engineers. We also need to address the accountability of NSF awardees and of NSF itself in reference to the CEOSE mandate. In the minutes of CEOSE meetings, we need to clearly identify recommendations and action items. RECOMMENDATION: That NSF identify a contractor to support CEOSE in its preparation of the reports required by Congress in 2004. The meeting was adjourned at 5:25 p.m.
Dr. Lynda Carlson, Director, Division of Science Resource Statistics, provided an update on two gender equity studies that were mandated by Congress in the NSF Authorization Act that was passed last December. They are as follows: 1) Gender Equity in Grants Study, which is to assess gender differences in the distribution of external Federal research and development funding, and 2) Examination of data on differences in the amount requested and the amount awarded by gender in major Federal external grant programs. RAND has submitted a proposal for supporting this effort.
Mr. John Tsapogas of SRS gave an update on the National Survey of Recent College Graduates (NSRCG). He noted that SRS made presentations to CEOSE last February and took some of its advice. The sample size is going to increase. Two health-related fields were added, and three race/ethnicity groups were added. Minimum and maximum sampling sizes were identified for cells. In some areas, there would be oversampling for certain groups (i.e., Asian and Underrepresented Minorities). Health fields will be added for the first time in the survey. Sample sizes for these groups are less. Mr. Ron Fesco of SRS provided a snapshot of what the sample now looks like given these new rules. He noted that SRS cannot afford to put data in every cell. The effort is to make the final product as useful as possible.
Dr. Mary Frase of SRS provided an update on the National Survey of College Graduates (NSCG). This survey is under similar redesign as the NSRCG. In the past, they selected an entire new sample each decade following the decennial census. This time, the bulk of the sample will come from the 2000 Census, but more than 40,000 will be carried over from prior years. In this way, the data can include new people who received degrees during the decade. The result should be considerably more robust for making estimates.
Mr. Fresco showed the 1999 and 2003 sample sizes in a comparison chart. A dramatic cut was made on the US-born, non-disabled, non-institutionalized White group. In the new post-census sample, the non-white groups are oversampled. If sampling is not done with a reasonable portion of whites, there will be a reduction in the ability to do breakdowns by specific types of degrees. ACTION: Dr. Pearson requested of Mr. Fesco data on survey samples without the health fields (percentages of male/females in sample).
Dr. Joan Burreli announced that the "2004 Women and Minorities and Persons with Disabilities Report" will be published in the next few months. Ideas for reporting on American Indians (i.e., sampling on a larger scale) are addressed in the report. The data sets on persons with disabilities are much larger than for American Indians; therefore, it will be easier to disaggregate. The "2004 Women and Minorities and Persons with Disabilities Report" will be an e-publication. Hopefully, the report will be published this spring. Later this summer it will be distributed for review. ACTION: CEOSE members will be given the opportunity to review this report.
Dr. Nathaniel G. Pitts, Director of the Office of Integrative Activities/NSF presented certificates of appreciation to Dr. Thompson-Johnson for her most devoted service to CEOSE. Her term will end in September 2003. On June 12th, Dr. Joseph Bordogna presented Dr. Roig a similar certificate. Dr. Bordogna also presented a certificate of appreciation to Dr. Pearson for his service as Chair of CEOSE.
Dr. Pitts reported that NSF is finishing up its draft of the next NSF Strategic Plan. A major change in the Strategic Plan is that an organizational excellence goal has been added. This stands in equal rank to the goals of people, ideas, and tools. ACTION: CEOSE is to be supplied a copy of the Strategic Plan for review.
Dr. Eric Sheppard, Director of the Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP), provided an overview of his program, including a brief history of trends over the last ten years and information on the 2003 competition. The GRFP mission is to support the vitality of the human resource base of STEM in the United States and to reinforce its diversity by selecting future leaders (as defined by NSF's merit criteria). The program has been offered since 1952 with specific programs for Women in Engineering (since 1990) and Women in Computer and Information Science and Engineering (since 1994). The GRFP offers a stipend of $25,000 for a period up to three years. The period can be increased to five years without an increase in the stipend. The FY 2004 budget request is for $30,000 per award. About 46% of the GRFP applicants and about 52% of awardees are women. With the elimination of the Graduate Minority Research Fellowship Program (GMRFP) in 1998, GRFP assumed the responsibility for minority applications. Initially, the number of GRFP awards to minorities decreased compared to the level prior to the end of the GMRFP. In 2002, there was an encouraging increase in the number of awards to minorities. The slowdown in the downward trend is most likely due to the implementation of new innovations in the program. WESTAT interviewed some of the former GRFP Fellows. The results of those interviews may be of interest to CEOSE. ACTION: Dr. Sheppard was invited to report to CEOSE on the findings of the WESTAT study and to give an update on the GRFP at a later date.
Dr. Beverly Hartline provided a report to CEOSE on the IUPAP's (International Union of Pure and Applied Physics) International Conference on Women in Physics held in March 2002. There is a small number of women physicists around the world. However, this conference attracted more than 300 physicists, with approximately 15% males. The purpose of the conference was to understand the severe under representation of women in physics and to develop strategies to increase their participation. Data on the percentages of women in physics at various levels (faculty, post-doctoral fellow, PhD, undergraduate) were shown. The conference proceedings are published by AIP and available on the web (http://www.iupap.org). Dr.Hartline summarized the types of recommendations that resulted from conference deliberations.
Dr. Pearson advised that we should be aware of assessment movement and how it is impacting minority populations (i.e. No Child Left Behind) and minority serving institutions. Secondly, not many people are trained with cultural competency in assessment. Often assessors don't understand the context of what is being assessed. This can result in a very poor or incorrect assessment.
Dr. Nair and Dr. Pearson thanked everyone for participating in the CEOSE meeting. The group thanked Dr. Pearson for his service as Chair. Dr. Pearson turned over the Chair leadership to Dr. Nair who will begin serving at the October 2003 meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 p.m.
Dr. Willie Pearson, Jr. who is Chair of the Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering - approved the meeting minutes on August 13, 2003 (Reference: See the August 13, 2003 e-mail message from Dr. Pearson to Dr. Tolbert).
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