Peg Brand , presidential spouse, reflects a changing society

By Susan Williams

Call her Professor Brand, Peg, presidential spouse, president's associate or even spouse-girl. Just don't call her first lady -- not out of disrespect for her predecessors, mind you. It's simply that Peg Brand, IU professor of philosophy and of gender studies and wife of President Myles Brand, has redefined the role of presidential spouse to reflect a changing society. This is what she and President Brand had to say in a recent interview regarding her role and other gender issues.

Peg Brand Peg, how did you define who you would be as the presidential spouse?

As a tenure-track faculty member, I was different. The norm was a woman with grown children, someone putting in a tremendous number of volunteer hours.

Peg is too modest to list her accomplishments, Myles, so would you brag about her a bit for us?

Peg has redefined the role -- locally, within the state and nationally. She has a career of her own in two departments -- gender studies and philosophy. She's a productive scholar, devotes a lot of time to teaching, sees her students out of class, works with them and mentors them. In addition, she carries a full load as presidential spouse, representing the university and working with donors and alumni. The Women's Colloquium was Peg's idea, and she carried it out. Now, it's a nationally recognized program which many universities hope to emulate. She also manages to have a full life, including exercising and enjoying herself. It's hard to believe she fits this all into a 28-hour day!

Peg, do you want to add anything?

I'm pleased that IU has embraced this approach. Two IU trustees visited us when we were interviewing to come to Indiana. I described what I was doing. They understood that the presidential spouse should have something to say, something to do and a leadership role to play.

Myles, how has Peg's versatility contributed to her role as presidential spouse?

The fact that a donor was willing to provide a substantial gift to name a chair in Peg's honor for gender studies indicates that she is positively influencing the way that people think about the university and also the way in which gender equity is crucial to the university -- that IU benefits from the excellence of all people.

Peg, what progress have you seen in universities achieving a better gender balance?

More is being done to bring in women faculty, faculty of color, and to get a balance in graduate programs -- our undergraduate enrollment is already 53 percent female. But studies still show that high school girls at the top of their class lose self-respect and motivation by the end of their first year of college. We need to work more with younger students, particularly in areas like math, science and even philosophy, where there are not a lot of women.

Aside from the acceptance of a new presidential spouse role, what other gender issues have changed during your time in higher education?

More spouses are being hired as faculty members and staff so that academic couples don't have to be apart. One of my early predecessors, Charlotte Lowe Bryan, got her degree in 1888, and she was the only woman to get a master's in Greek in 1889. A few months later, she married William Bryan. Together, they co-authored a philosophy text, but she could not teach on this campus. It shows that we have gained, but it also shows the loss to the university that she wasn't allowed to teach.

That's the way the Bryans met -- they were at the university together. Peg, you and Myles have been married for over 20 years. How did you meet?

Myles and I met during my doctoral work in philosophy at the University of Illinois at Chicago. I had already completed my master's in painting and printmaking at Madison, Wis. We were both single, mature adults. We eventually married, but from the very beginning of our relationship, Myles removed himself from decisions made regarding my work, even though he was department chair. It was absolutely necessary so that nothing he did or said would affect my status. Presently, there is controversy over persons of "unequal power" developing relationships at a university or in the workplace.

Were there concerns for you and Myles?

Things were different 20 years ago. These issues were not prominent. Nonetheless, we used our best judgement in keeping our relationship separate from our roles at the university. There were no problems or concerns. Universities are now clarifying such issues. It is critical that there be balance, I believe, between persons being able to form and enjoy relationships, but at the same time, there should be a protective environment so that the relationship doesn't become one of harassment or misuse of power. Faculty members and others devote almost all of their time to the university, so it would be unfair and unrealistic to prohibit all relationships. But at the same time, there must be safeguards.

Finally, what do you enjoy most in your role as presidential spouse, Peg?

I think having the ability and resources to connect people. I enjoy that the most, and I appreciate the people who help me do that.

And the hardest part?

Balancing the things I like to do with the things that I need to do. Like most women, I'm not totally satisfied that I've found the correct balance. But that just speaks to the fact that there is a lot to do, and that it's exciting and fun!