Childcare at the University of
Arizona: Investing in the Future
By Joannah Hinz and Jill Bechtold
Joannah Hinz is a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Arizona. She received her S.B. in
physics from MIT in 1995 and her Ph.D. in astronomy from the University of Arizona in 2003.
Jill Bechtold is Professor of Astronomy at the University of Arizona.
Joannah Hinz
January 2005
In July 1989 the Arizona Board of
Regents created the Commission on
the Status of Women for the purpose of
assessing the conditions of employment
for women at the three universities in the
U of AZ system. Members are drawn from
the ranks of administrators, faculty,
appointed personnel, and classified staff
to serve 3-year terms as Commissioners.
Graduate and undergraduate students
serve renewable one-year terms. Several
subcommittees serve within the larger
Commission to address specific needs of
the university community. The Childcare
Workgroup has devoted itself to goals regarding the
environment for family and children on campus.
In 2003, the Childcare Workgroup researched,
wrote, submitted, and presented a series of
recommendations to the University administration
in the form of a ‘white paper’ entitled “Childcare:
Investing in the Future”. These recommendations
proposed a series of family-friendly policies and
practices that could be adopted by the administration
in support of diverse needs of the community. The
recommendations were received positively.
As a follow-up to this white paper plan, in March
of 2004, the Childcare Workgroup submitted a proposal
to the President to recommend the installation of
diaper changing tables in men’s and women’s restrooms
in ten buildings on campus of the 116 buildings
that did not have those facilities. They suggested this
action as a first sign from the administration of their
interest and investment in child-friendly resources
for a minimal cost. The funding for these tables was
approved, and, in September and October of this
year, the changing tables were installed.
In cooperation with the Commuter Student
Affairs Office, the Childcare Workgroup also proposed
this fall for funds to build a child-friendly play area
in the University’s new Student Union. This area,
housed by the Commuter Student Affairs, is designed
as an enclosed space equipped with child-sized
tables, chairs, and bookshelves, and
stocked with books and toys, where
parents can take their children to relax
and play while visiting campus. Though
solely parent-supervised, the proximity
to several computers, along with safe
room dividers, will allow parents to
monitor their children while doing
simple tasks such as briefly checking
email or printing assignments. To date,
the Vice President of Campus Life, the
Associate Vice President for Campus
Life and Dean of Students, the Commuter
Students Affairs Office, and the Director
of the Student Union have all pledged funds for this
area. Major items of furniture have been ordered,
and donations of books and toys from local bookstores
and members of the Commission on the Status
of Women have been solicited. The goal is to have
the area opened by the week of final exams.
Future efforts by the Childcare Workgroup
include establishing a “baby room” on-campus
daycare center. This facility would be designed for
ages six weeks to one year, when parents would most
wish to have their child nearby for breastfeeding and
other short visits during the work day. The age
restriction would also bring demand for the facility to
manageable levels for a first-time facility. The
Workgroup is researching possible outside vendors,
costs, liabilities, and state guidelines in opening this
type of daycare, but have received much positive
feedback from the University administration.
We hope the white paper and the steps outlined
above might be of use to other institutions looking to
improve the childcare resources available to them
and would be glad to receive feedback from other
committees addressing these issues.
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