Too often, men and women do not realize the issue of the wage gap. According to Behind the Pay Gap,
research published by the American Association of University Women (AAUW), women are earning
roughly $7,600 per year less than men one year after graduation. Even in the same occupation, men are
shown to have a significantly larger salary than women.
“It’s not about bringing men down,” said Stephanie Spencer, the Assistant Director of Career Services
and head of Wright State’s $tart $mart program. “It’s about bringing women up.”
This spring, Wright State University was honored as one of nine universities to receive AAUW’s
Campus Action Project grant. Three years ago, $tart $mart, a salary negotiating workshop for women,
began at Wright State. Due to this grant, Career Services and the Women’s Center will be offering
more workshops and working to educate the campus about the importance of closing the wage gap and
encouraging women to negotiate their salaries.
In March, seminars will be offered every Wednesday at 12:30 in Millett Hall. During the first three
Wednesdays, successful women from the Dayton area will be sharing their experiences. The fourth
Wednesday, a panel of employers will address salary negotiation from their point of view. In April,
students will have the opportunity to socialize with and learn from employers, and will be encouraged to
make mock salary negotiations.
Spencer addressed that negotiation is not simply about getting a fair salary. “Negotiation is about
communicating effectively to be able to get what we want out of life.”
While the purpose of these workshops is focused on the wage gap and educating women on salary
negotiation, men are also invited to attend. “We want to be able to educate the campus community,”
stated Spencer. “It [the wage gap] affects everyone.”
More information about Wright State’s program and the wage gap can be found at www.facebook.com/
#!/EndTheWageGap, which is part of a campus awareness promotion being led by Margaret Murray,
a graduate assistant at the Women’s Center. Also, students who are interested in negotiating with
employers in April should register through the Wright Search or should contact Stephanie Spencer at
Stephanie.Spencer@wright.edu.
