Faculty and staff came together on Feb. 26 for the Center for Diversity and Inclusion's first "Babies and Briefcases" event that promoted a conversation between working parents and individuals without children about maintaining a family and a career at AU.
"Babies and Briefcases" was hosted by a panel of faculty, staff and a student who answered questions about managing the responsibilities of a family and a career.
The panel consisted of Director of Student Activities Karen Gerlach, School of International Service professor Easten Law, anthropology/public anthropology masters student Jenna Latour-Nichols and Assistant Director in the Kay Spiritual Life Center Christine Gettings.
CDI student staff worker and freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences Leilani Alexa created the event. Her primary goal throughout the program's development was to promote a greater understanding of the different communities at AU, Alexa said.
"Good parents can also be good workers, but may need to take time off to adjust to their hectic duties and spend time with their kids," Law said.
Faculty and staff can take advantage of flexible work arrangement policies, compressed work weeks and confidential counseling, said Director of Employee Relations in the Human Resources Department Deadre Johnson.
Senior Director of Employee Benefits Ann Joiner encouraged working parents at AU to take advantage of six to eight weeks off from work with 100 percent pay, or utilize the 16 weeks-off policy to care for a child or loved one.
However, for Latour-Nichols, a student and parent, these options do not address the high cost of the Child Development Center on the south side of campus. The center costs $1,100 per month, and students with children do not receive a compensatory childcare grant, according to Latour-Nichols.
"By investing in the different communities in existence at AU," Alexa said, "we're making the AU community stronger."
jsmith@theeagleonline.com
