I wish to express my thanks to CAUT's Status of Women Committee: Jennifer Bankier, Jeanette Lynes, Jennifer Mather, Linda Paul and Joan Scott, for a superb supplement (Bulletin, April). As an academic with 28 years' experience, during which I was full-time, sessional, contractual and now back to sessional, I know this supplement represents my views.

It is a commendable effort on the part of the committee and the authors of the articles. Bravo, authors!

I would like to remind Dorothy Tovell, however, that buffet meals are far cheaper than à la carte menus, and that the status and importance of an à la carte dinner is far higher than that of a buffet. Even the staff treats diners differently when they offer both in the same restaurant, just like support staff treats sessionals differently (read condescendingly at best).

I also ended up with a patchwork quilt career by choice, family being too important to me to delegate to others. However, I didn't know what a high price I would pay.

It is encouraging and empowering and supportive to read about other people's feelings, so similar to my own: the anonimity, marginalization, self-blame, lowered self-esteem, lack of recognition, invisibility.

Like Linda Paul, I watched my colleagues get their 20 and 25 year pins, their names appearing in the university paper, without a word from anyone about my continued, uninterrupted service to this university for 28 years. In fact, when I started my contractual position in 1986, there was no mention nor recognition of the previous 16 years of service, eight of them in a full-time, tenure-track appointment. I was starting with a blank slate, and the official letters greeted me as a newcomer.

I hope that this supplement will be read carefully and thoughtfully by all faculty. Unfortunately, sessional and the rest of the "amorphous mass" do not receive the Bulletin, as they are usually outside the bargaining unit. (I had to borrow a copy from a colleague.)

There is so much work to do. We must keep trying to get the message out to the university community. Thank you once again for your superb efforts.

Elena Hannah
Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland