MAA Committee on the Participation of Women in Mathematics Joint Committee on the Participation of Women in the Mathematical Sciences Parental and Family Leave for Graduate Students and Post-docs: Policies and Experience Cathy Kessel Mathematics education consultant Berkeley, California Policies

Scope of family and parental leave “Family” may include parents, spouse, or domestic partner as well as children. “Children” may include adoptive children as well as biological children. People taking leave may be male as well as female.

The problem in 2004 “I am not surprised that so few of my junior colleagues have decided to have children. Graduate students pick up the signal very early: devote time to family or community at your own risk.” —UC faculty member Mason & Goulden, 2004

Survey of UC science post-docs Women postdoctoral scholars who had children after they became a postdoctoral scholar at the UC system were twice as likely as men who experienced a similar life- changing event to change their career goal (41 percent versus 20 percent). UC post-doc survey, 2008

Changes for UC faculty: percent of assistant professors in the University of California system have children, up from 27 percent in Mason, 2011 For chairs and deans: Creating a Family- Friendly Department: html

The UC Family-friendly Edge The program adds to a series of family- friendly programs already in place in the UC system. Introduced in 1988, they were progressive for their time but have had low use rates, mostly because of a discouraging campus culture. —Mason & Goulden, 2004

Complexities of policy implementation Policies for family leave need to exist. Eligible people need to know that these policies exist. Use of these policies needs to be culturally acceptable.

Existing benefits: 2008 Of the 62 AAU universities: 23% offered post-docs at least 6 weeks of paid leave following childbirth. 13% offered graduate student researchers at least 6 weeks of paid leave following childbirth. 43%: paid maternity leave for graduate student researchers was ad hoc, less than 6 weeks, or non- existent.

Complexities of policy for graduate students and post-docs Federal law Federal funding policies State law University policies Citizenship

Brief and comprehensive reference A Forgotten Class of Scientists: Examining the Parental and Family Benefits Available to Research Trainees January 2012, Also, National Postdoctoral Association’s “Family- Friendly Resources for Postdocs” ly-friendly

Some FCS Recommendations Actively highlight, advertise, and support family accommodation policies and guidelines for all research trainees. Provide a part ‐ time or full ‐ time campus ‐ wide family advocate for graduate student and research trainee parents. Maintain zero tolerance policy for discriminatory and disparaging comments and behaviors from faculty, staff, and students.

“You should know that female graduate students are telling us over and over again across the nation that they are not going to become faculty members because they do not see how they can combine work and family in a way that is reasonable.” —UC faculty member Mason & Goulden, 2004