Comment from Rachel Pries

[200.300, 200.218] To Whom it May Concern: I am a professor of mathematics. I am writing in my personal capacity to oppose the proposed revisions to sections 200.300 and 200.218 that would impede STEM recruitment and retention initiatives and restrict certain research fields vital to broadening participation in STEM. When I started my career, the number of women in math was very low. It was very intimidating to go to conferences where almost everyone was male. I always needed to work harder to be taken seriously. For this reason, throughout my career, I supported research collaborations for young women in math. These collaborations improved the atmosphere for everyone, by making mathematics conferences more friendly and supportive for everyone. As a result, the rate of progress in mathematics improved as everyone (male and female) began to collaborate more. I organized several conferences to support young women in math where the travel funds were supported by grants. During these conferences, we trained young female mathematicians to develop their research skills and begin collaborations. This helped provide a supportive atmosphere for female graduate students in math who would otherwise have dropped out of the faculty pipeline. I am concerned that this rule will lead to female students dropping out of graduate school in mathematics. When most faculty in math are male, then many female students give up on their goal of a career in math.