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Just a note that yes, the hosting committee was a bit surprised by the number of scholarships that came in this year! We realized at the last minute that perhaps we should have discussed a scholarship based SOLELY on economic need, but there just wasn't the opportunity to thoughtfully consider changing course for this year at a late date. It's an idea we put a pin in to suggest to next year's hosts to consider if a large number of scholarships are available again next year. And yes, at least one scholarship has been provided in past years through a collection of small donations from the community itself. So anyone could organize an additional scholarship. If there is an organization we could invoice, scholarships could STILL be added to the roster for this year and handled by the local hosts, as well. -emily ----------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2013 16:28:14 -0500 From: Sarah Shealy <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Code4lib 2014 Diversity Scholarships: Call for Applications It's honestly too late this year to change the entire scholarship system. I don't disagree that it would be awesome to have scholarships for everyone who has some sort of economic need, and this is a conversation that should be had. But there's a lot that goes into opening something up based on economic status, and while that work would be valuable and awesome, it's a little late in the game for 2014. There's also the consideration of when to offer both gender and need-based scholarships, since the number of scholarships are variable and if there are only two to be awarded then the historic trend of ethnic/gender based awards should probably be carried forward. Or not. I would like to point out that for a lot of white men working in the tech field, going to a local user group or conference is an easy thing and you get to see people like you who do the things you do. I had to go to Chicago last year (I live in SC - and I was a scholarship recipient) in order to see women doing the same thing that I do. And it was pretty awesome. So I would vote for always having the ethnic/gender based scholarship simply for the connection it can give people - it honestly isn't something that be described. I went from having no cultural touchstones in this area of my life to having several. Hopefully this will help turn the tide from "rabble rabble rabble" to thinking about ways to add to the system - not just overhaul the whole shebang. I would suggest that some of you who are upset about how things are run sign up for the Scholarship Committee next year and do some work from the inside. Because, again, you should have raised your concerns before we sent out the call. The scholarships happen every year. Sarah -- Emily Lynema Associate Department Head Information Technology, NCSU Libraries 919-513-8031 [log in to unmask]