Women Faculty in Higher Education: Impeded by Academe

This paper attempts to synthesize literature available regardingthe status of women faculty in the academy and barriers thathinder their success. First, a short treatise of the historical andsociological perspectives of women in higher education isprovided. The institutional structure, culture and climate inpostsecondary institutions will be examined. Particularattention will be paid to such structural issues as hiringpractices, salary, tenure, research, service, and teaching andadvising loads, while intradepartmental relations, socializationand mentoring patterns, isolation, research support, andfinancial resources and child care will be covered under climateand cultural issues. Both the experiences of the collectivity ofwomen as well as individual women will also be portrayed.Findings from the literature suggest that gender inequity is stilla practice of the present, rather than a part of the academy'spast. Finally, suggestions for improving the chances forwomen's success in the academy will be provided.