As the demand for technology employees grows, fewer women are pursuing degrees that will prepare them for these jobs. After a peak in the late eighties, women have become significantly underrepresented in engineering and Information Technology majors, declining from 35.2% in 1990 to 28.4% in 2000; interest in CS among women fell 80% just between 1998 and 2004. Consequently women are more likely to "fall into" an IT career, than plan for it.

In this discussion we will explore possible causes for gendered attrition from computing, and review some of the programs that have been undertaken to encourage women to consider careers in information technology.

The meeting starts at 5:30 pm at Da Vinci Ristorante in Upper Arlington. After a social hour with a cash bar, dinner will be served at 6:30pm. The menu consists of Tossed Salad; Capellini, Fettuccini with Meat Sauce, Lasagne, or Caesar Salad Alla Da Vinci (No tossed salad with Caesar salad entree); Rolls and Butter; and Coffee, Tea, or Soft Drink. The cost of the dinner is $18 for COCACM members, $20 for non-members. The talk will begin at 7:30 pm. As always, the public can attend the talk free of charge. But, please make a reservation.

Directions: Da Vinci Ristorante is located in Upper Arlington, at the southeast corner of Reed and Henderson Roads. From Route 315, go west on Henderson Road to Reed Road, turn left on Reed Road, and then left again into the Da Vinci parking lot.

About the Presenter:

Bettina Bair is a senior lecturer and co-director of diversity for the CSE department at the Ohio State University. She also directs the TWiCE (The Women In Computer Engineering) program, is a faculty sponsor of the student chapter of ACM-W, and a member of the University President's Council on Women's Issues. She is recipient of the Mary Ann Williams Leadership award and also a member of the Association for Computing Machinery Committee on Women (ACM-W) working committee.  
 
 
 

Price for dinner 

COCACM members	$18
Non-members	$20

Menu 
Your choice of the following entrees: 

• Lasagne 
• Capellini  
• Fettuccini with Meat Sauce  
• Caesar Salad Alla Da Vinci (Caesar salad topped with grilled chicken breast)* 

*No tossed salad with this entree 

Directions 
Da Vinci Ristorante is at the southeast corner of Reed and Henderson Roads in Upper Arlington. Take the Henderson Road exit from route 315 and go west. Turn left onto Reed Road and then left, again, into the Da Vinci Ristorante parking lot. 

Reservations Required 
Monday, February 13, 2006 
Dinner is optional, but seating is limited, so you should still reserve a seat.  

COCACM Information Line	365-4406
E-mail	cocacm@acm.org