Abstract. In Vision 2039—VMI
Superintendent General J.H. Binford Peay III’s strategic vision for the
future of VMI—General Peay set the goal of a 1500-member Corps of Cadets
by the year 2039, including 150-200 women. Many cadets have
misinterpreted this to be a quota, but in reality it is the VMI
administration’s way of dealing with gender tokenism and relieving some
of the pressures that female cadets (currently 8% of the Corps) bear.
This presents a unique opportunity to research the effects of gender
tokenism on organizational culture, as well as the progress VMI has made
in the 11 years since the coming of women. It is the purpose of this
independent research project to examine the long-term psychosocial
implications of the process of integrating a minority group into a
predominantly homogeneous population, using the integration of women at
VMI as a case study.
The scope of this research project includes an extensive review of past
research in both psychology and sociology, as well as a more human
element in the form of interviews with those who have a high stake in
the assimilation process: current cadets, alumni, and members of the
administration who were involved in assimilation planning. This research
focuses on the effects that “assimilation” has on the tokens themselves,
as well as the perceived effects of the VMI administration’s change
management process. |