March 18, 2005

We Must Make the Academic Workplace More Humane and Equitable

By LINDA K. KERBER

In the recent furor over remarks by Lawrence H. Summers, president of Harvard University, about why so few women go into math and science, one key issue seems to be getting lost. Among other points, Mr. Summers suggested that women don't want to work the 80-hour weeks required for an academic career. Eighty hours?

Is that really good for women? For anyone?

What has happened to our academic workplace?

Let me tell you a story:

Once upon a time -- some 35 years

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