The beginning of a new academic year marked another change in the university's administration as Linda McKinnish Bridges, current associate dean of the college, accepted the position as interim head of the women's studies program.

Since her first day as temporary head of the program, Bridges has scouted for a member of the college's faculty to permanently manage the women's studies' affairs.

Bridges said she seeks a member of the faculty who is willing to emphasize the academic strength of women's studies and to help promote the importance of gender roles in all disciplines at the university.

"Women's studies provide a venue for interdisciplinary thinking in pristine form," Bridges said.

Bridges replaced former head of women's studies, Sheryl Leggon, who decided to pursue a job as a sociology professor at the University of Georgia. Since July 2001, Bridges has taught several courses in the divinity school.

"My goal in my theological education work has been to provide a pathway for women in ecclesiastical structures," Bridges said.

Bridges said she witnessed discrimination firsthand while completing her doctorate and masters at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.

"I had to defend my right to teach men," Bridges said.

Bridges' earlier undertakings include the establishment of a women's interest group, the Center for Women, Inc., with the Richmond Theological Consortium in 1994. Bridges noted disparities in terms of men's and women's roles in economy, decision making in government and within the private sphere.

"We still live in a culture that elevates men and subordinates women," Bridges said. "(The Center for Women, Inc.) made women feel that someone is educating them, as well as advocating for them."

Sarah Lyons Watts, an associate professor of history, said the women's studies program has the ability to act as the synergist in integrating gender into similar analytical categories like race, class and ethnicity. Watts instructs a class that analyzes the intersection between race and gender, as well as a first year seminar "Manhood in America."

Bridges also said she has a few ideas on how to innovate the style of the department in order to attract more interested minors. Opening up space for critical academic discourse by providing a common umbrella for faculty currently involved in gender-related studies is among her top ambitions.

Bridges proposes that a clearinghouse, providing the funding needed for research in an area related to women and gender, would strengthen both faculty and student involvement in women's studies, as well as increase the department's academic rigor.

"There is no reason why this program couldn't thrive at this university," Bridges said.

Bridges also said the analysis and criticism of gender injustice in the status quo helps broaden individual perception of the entire domination system.

"One can't adequately talk about one form of oppression without mentioning its relationship to others because the same mechanism is at work," Bridges said. "When one suffers, we all suffer from domination."

Watts said she hopes for Bridges to give the program a sense of direction and an outlook for the future. "She has the skills, background and knowledge to do it," Watts said.

Bridges expects to find the appropriate interdisciplinary program head by early spring of 2003.