Berdahl said the meeting was a brainstorm session to find ways to entice more women into science and engineering careers, particularly in academia. Many ideas were proposed, but Berdahl said Berkeley faces a greater challenge in implementing some ideas because of Proposition 209's elimination of targeted recruitment opporuntities. One idea being considered is for the university to provide more start-up funding for schools and departments when hiring women scientists, Berdahl said.
Costs can exceed a million dollars to create a laboratory, purchase equipment, and hire post-docs.
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