Cornell Women Charge Discrimination

ITHACA, N.Y.--A group of women at Cornell University have formed a committee, called the Cornell 11, to pursue legal action against the university for discriminating against women in hiring policy, promotions, and salaries.

More than 11 women have already filed formal sex discrimination suits against Cornell individually, but a spokesman for the Cornell 11 said group action is now needed.

The group said in a press release that since 1971, when Cornell adopted its affirmative action program, the number of women faculty has increased by less than one percentage point. Of Cornell's full-time tenured faculty, only 6.1 per cent are female, compared to a national average of 16.5 per cent, a spokesman said.