This paper examines the assumptions made about organizational and social equity and fairness in higher education institutions that prove to be untrue when applied to women. Through personal narrative and interviews with women faculty and professional staff, the paper presents a view of university work and life from the perspective of the women who experience it. Areas examined concern assignments to committees, program development in relation to academic and professional goals, faculty rewards and support, responsibilities and recognition, and pay and workload. Each of these areas is shown through the experiences of those interviewed, to contain practices which are discriminatory against women faculty and staff, and it is suggested that these occurrences are not extraordinary, but typical. It is argued that institutionalized discrimination is still going on, yet hard to detect unless one is personally being affected. The recommended action is that those affected by discriminatory practices must push for advancement and help others see the inequity of policies, norms, beliefs, and attitudes within these institutions. Contains 13 references. (GLR)