Women and Science in Congress
Some 6,000 men and women have sent
a petition to Congress asking for its help increasing opportunities for women in science. The move was inspired in large part by the controversy over Larry Summers' remarks.
At first blush, this is a dumb idea. Congress may have some role enforcing Title IX protections. But should the federal government really be throwing money at this particular problem?
Universities need to defend their autonomy from the federal government, and asking for greater Congressional involvement in matters of gender is, sooner or later, asking for trouble.
Also, this petition does have a mau-mauing the flak-catchers aspect. One of the organizers is the president and founder of
MentorNet, "an advocacy group that helps women enter science and engineering fields." You have to wonder if MentorNet and groups like it wouldn't expect a funding windfall if Congress did get involved.
Perhaps that's too cynical, but one does grow suspicious of such pleas for federal help.
