Moving up in the World of Science: A Look at the Glass Ceiling from a Different Angle

One could hardly imagine a less likely subject of campus controversy than the architectural configuration of the new Science Center.

However, many members of the Manchester College community have alleged that the staircase in the main foyer (the steps of which are made primarily of glass panels) was designed without proper sensitivity to female students and faculty members, and poses a risk that anyone wearing a skirt or a dress could be inadvertently putting themselves on display.

The MC Science Center was completed in the fall of 2005, after more than 13 years of planning and $17million in expenditures. Later that same year, it was awarded the ABC Award of Excellence by the Associated Builders and Contractors of Indiana. Nearly every detail of the building was considered in relation to both practical and aesthetic concerns.

Other than the glass stairs, that is. Although the treads (the horizontal surfaces that are walked on) are opaque, every vertical surface of the staircase is completely transparent. Although it is extraordinarily unlikely that anyone would ever be fully on display, the upward angle of sight available to those walking on the first floor poses a risk that a student on the stairs may be showing more than she intends to or is comfortable with.

The oversight is noticed and felt by many women in the MC community. “Yes, I have thought about those stairs before,” said Reaunna Murphy, an MC alumna from the class of 2006, “and I think it’s obvious that no one thought about all of the implications of making a staircase like that.”

“I agree that the staircase design was gender insensitive,” said Dagny Boebel, a former MC English and Gender Studies professor. “Actually, before the first faculty meeting in the new Science Center, female faculty members were warned NOT to walk up the stairs if they were wearing a skirt. I know that I have sometimes walked up or down wearing a skirt, but only when I have forgotten that this activity puts me on display.”

One consequence of the glass staircase is the impression that it makes upon prospective students. “Upon walking up to the Science Center stairs on my tour, one of the first things I thought was ‘Wow, thank goodness I didn’t wear a skirt!’” said first-year Becka Lee. “I wanted to make an impression, just not one of that sort.”

“No person should be subjected to being put on display in a manner that is outside of their control,” said Travis Rose, a frequent visitor to North Manchester and a current prospective student, “albeit even a minor one.”

Obviously, Lee decided to enroll at MC despite her observations regarding the
glass staircase. However, the comments of Lee and Rose illustrate the probability that other prospective students (not to mention their parents) have been keenly aware of the stairs’ transparency.

Not all members of the MC community agree that the staircase poses a problem. “In general, MC faculty had an above average amount of input into the design of the Science Center, and that includes four women,” said chemistry professor Dr. Terrie Salupo-Bryant. “The glass staircase is in keeping with the glass design throughout the building, and my opinion is that it looks much better that way.”

Defenders of the staircase design pointed out that the area directly under the stairs is barred off. However, this does not solve the problem, for two reasons.

Firstly, the bars are a mediocre deterrent at best. It is easy to get around the bars, as there is a sizable gap between the bars and the wall. Furthermore, I sat and stood in the barred off area on several occasions during the investigative process, which included a few passing periods. Although I am sure that I was seen by faculty members, not once was I confronted or asked to move.

Secondly, because the treads and the landing of the stairs are opaque, the angle that is the most worrisome is not from directly under the stairs, but from the heavily-trafficked areas slightly further from the staircase.

Opinions varied regarding the best way to respond to the design. The simplest way, many contend, is for students and faculty members to avoid wearing skirts and dresses on days when they may need to be in the Science Center.

“I expect that the administration would say that students are here to learn, not to be fashion icons,” said first-year Wendy Lude. “If students feel exposed [by climbing the Science Center’s stairs] while wearing skirts…. then they should simply not wear skirts.”

Others feel that it is unfair to ask students and faculty to be forced to either alter their attire or to find an alternative route to their classrooms, simply so that the foyer of a building can be aesthetically pleasing. It is also an insufficient remedy, for it doesn’t account for those who either have momentarily forgotten or have not yet considered the implications of the glass risers.

Unfortunately, many feel that it is unlikely that the college will actually do anything to change the situation: “I think if the administration had thought about female students and their skirts before the stairs went in, there would have been changes,” Murphy said. “As it is now, I doubt much will be done to help console upset female students.”

The solution most commonly proposed was for the glass risers to be frosted. This would be inexpensive and fairly simple to accomplish, and would preserve the aesthetic unity and openness of the Science Center’s lobby.

(published in Manchester College's weekly newspaper, The Oak Leaves, on November 9, 2007)