University of South Carolina Columbia - Garnet and Black Yearbook (Columbia, SC)

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Vs- - ., J - t -,,1.! iw jf-3.-5, U- '.'1 1 .ijt if?- f-K ,er- if gf- Hl...,ig:',-, V. ' . P 5 . '-11 ' - , . kk-'J -....,..s.-- COEDUCATIO : WOME GAIN THEIR PLACE By Karen Petit From long skirts to blue jeans, long hair to short - it finally happened. Women invaded the collegiate class- room. And both the USC campus and women themselves have undergone a metamorphosis to accommodate the change. Coeducation on USC's campus has a varied and interesting heritage. While the first two college organiza- tions on campus, the Clariosophic and Euphradian societies, loved and admired the ladies, in the early 1800's, there was the obvious distinction that the female sex had her own role to fulfill - a kitchen engineer, bottle washer, and nursery attendant with little involvement in public affairs. Although the Clariosophics decided in 1810 that women were less intellectual than men, the Euphradi- ans reaffirmed the fact 50 years later with the conclusion that the minds of the sexes were not equal. The Clario- sophics were so advanced in thinking that in 1810 they decided women should not participate in government and Euphradians denied women a place in a society outside the home. By 1830 the Euphradians had announced that enjoying the female company was not compatible with the 22 student's collegiate duties. Also, waltzing with one's arm around a lady's waist was indecent. While girls frequently attended chapel on the South Carolina College campus, they were denied entrance into the school's social halls. Had they been allowed within the inner sanctums of the male campus domain, they would have heard great oratorical debates on their honor and virtue as well as the sanctity of her marriage contract. For nearly six dec- ades both societies debated whether or not seduction should be punished by death. While many males did not favor this extreme measure, neither society wanted to be quoted as favor- ing the punishment. And in 1811 Clariosophic debates were highlighted by Is Highway Robbery or Seduction the Greater Crime? Highway rob- bery won by one vote. While the societies frowned upon divorce and felt the woman should die if necessary to preserve her honor, both Clariosophic and Euphradians were unwilling to demand capital punishment for men who violated it. Although black women attended the Normal School at the University during Reconstruction, it was not until 1895 that coeducation was finally instituted. In 1893 Gov. Ben Tillman announced that coeducation of the female mind at SCC was a mat- ter of justice and common sense as well as a way to increase student enrollment. Because of faculty and Trustees disapproval, Tillman made appeal directly to the legislature rather than the Board of Trustees who had authority to admit women but declined to do so. While conservatives favored educa- tion of girls at Winthrop and private colleges, Tillman was ahead of most in advocating coeducation. Although The State endorsed Tillman, it was the Charleston News and Courier which favored coeducation if not in the com- pany of men - our people still believe in the manly men and wom- anly women, and whether right or wrong, the impression prevails that coeducation after a certain age tends to modify these distinctive qualities which should be the pride of each sex. Because of Tillman's influence, the legislature approved the 1895 appropriations bill directing the trus- tees to admit qualified women to the campus but not below the junior class. Agreeing to allow women to enroll in

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painful process. The Trustees felt the R.O.T.C. program on campus was inconsistent with the traditions of the University so they ended it in 1921. Who needed a military organi- zation after the war to end all wars had been fought? Because of the stalemate USC had seemingly come to, President Currell was pressured into resignation in 1921. His successor, W. D. Melton attempted to ameliorate conditions by following an education for all pol- icy. Melton went to the legislature without the usual apologetic plea for funds. He simply demanded the money - and he got it - s4o6,ooo, almost double the appropriation of the year before. Melton saw the dwin- dling student body rise from 621 in 1921 to 1,419 in 1925 - partly from his efforts and partly from the devel- opment of high schools in the state. The fall of cotton prices instigated an early depression in S.C. and the legislature's generosity soon ceased. The atmosphere was one of hostil- ity toward women students until two co-eds were graduated from the Law School in 1918. When the female scholars proved their capabilities they became an accepted and sought after part of the University. Wade Hamp- ton, the first womenis dorm, was built after the influential passage of the 19th amendment. President D. M. Douglas was brought in after the death of Melton with a salary higher than that of the Governor's so the Trustees were forced to lower it. Douglas urged the establishment of Wardlaw College of Education and University High School for the practice teachers. The Depression hit USC hard in 1932 with appropriations cut 29 per cent, special scholarships discontin- ued, tuition raised and salaries slashed. Aid, however, came in 1934 under Roosevelt's New Deal. Scholar- ships were reinstated. Sims, Preston and McKissick Library were built. The first natatorium was con- structed at this time but the students referred to it as the swimming pool. With the departure of the Depres- sion went the social snobbery associ- ated with the Columbia institution. Social life was carefree as the stock market began to rise. USC men and women had cars, cigarettes, jazz and bowling to occupy spare time. The impending war in Europe seemed far away. In 1940, 2,000 students were enrolled, a figure that was cut in half by 1943. When World War II started an intensive Naval program began with classes being held year-round. After four years and 140 USC alumni had been killed in battle, the war ended. 1947 brought forth hundreds of veterans seeking education tmder the G.I. Bill. With 4,700 students USC was pressed for space and classes were being held in attics and basements. Under President Donald S. Russell, the extensive construction program as we know it today was begun. The Russell House Student Center, built in 1955, bears his name. The past two decades have brought more changes to the University than any before. In january 1958, eleven Allen University students threatened legal means to gain acceptance to USC after they were refused. Blacks were not admitted until the fall of 1965. By 1970 only 6 per cent of the student body consisted of black stu- dents and the election of Harry Walker, a black man, to the presi- dency of the student body in 1971 made national television. The apathy prevalent in the '50's gave way to involvement of the '60's. Protest against the playing of Dixie', at games became a major issue. Whether or not to sell beer on cam- pus was also a point of contention. A survey showed that 10 per cent of the 1969 co-eds went to class bra-less and the student Health Center refused to dispense birth control pills. Students gathered for a relatively peaceful Vietnam Moratorium in 1969, but the Kent State deaths evoked a more vio- lent protest in 1970. A boycott of classes was urged and angry students took over the Russell House. Police and troops were called in and the pro- test was quelled and classes remained open. The past few years have brought a new look to the campus with the con- struction of the Coliseum, the sta- dium, a new nursing center, a new law the health center, the BA building, center and new libraries, to name a few. The resignation of Thomas jones in january 1974 came as a shock to many. He left to devote his full time and thought to the teaching-learning processf' Contro- versy over the real reason still remains. jones came to USC in 1962 when there was a student body of 7,695 on six campuses. He helped it grow to 26,342 on nine campuses and was named 1966 South Carolinian of the Year by WIS Radio and Televi- sion. March of 1974 came with streakers across campus. This new fad rivaled the goldfish eating, telephone booth stuffing and panty raids of the past. And even though the number of streakers reached a phenomenal 508 on a torchlit night, one seriously doubts the excitement caused by nude runners ever equaled that of the 1800's turkey thievery. President Gilzber Green in 1933. I -' . vu ir 21

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special classes, the trustees did little to encourage women to attend SCC and women did not enter the college scene in 1894. Favoring coeducation much more than Tillman himself, successor john Gary Evans announced in his inaugu- ral address that the legislature amend a statute to allow women to enter below the junior class. In December, 1894, the matter was hastily changed to read the trustees shall provide for admitting young women qualified to enter the College. But barriers still existed - no dean of women, no women faculty mem- bers, no dormitory spaces for girls, not even an adequate restroom. These were the conditions when Francis Guignard Gibbes received permission on Sept. 24, 1895 to take a special course. Coeducation had begun. A week later five more females entered to study special courses and by November, SCC had a total enroll- ment of 13 females, all taking special courses. The first girl to graduate was Mat- tie jean Adams of Newberry who, according to classmates, possessed an almost passionate fondness for books. Receiving her A.B. in 1898, she said she came to SCC because she needed a better education than the one provided by Southern female col- leges. The 1898 USC catalogue first fea- tures its decision to admit women explaining, in accordance with the act of the General Assembly 118945, women are admitted to any course, regular or special for which they may be qualified. No other information is given concerning women. In 1903, another woman became a first by becoming the first female on campus to receive a master's degree. She was jaqueline Segar Epes of Blackston, Va. Women had already invaded the law school in 1897 when Ellen Rebecca Norris entered the jun- ior class. The event was almost too much for a law professor to take and he questioned her right to receive a degree. Norris, however, did not fin- ish the course and there were no women law graduates until 1918. The female enrollment increased slowly from 13 in 1895-96, 14 in 1896- 97, to 18 in 1897-98. While more did inquire about the college, few applied because of lack of dormitory space. Room and board in private Columbia homes cost about 5515 more than the cost for a male student living on cam- pus. Evans was the first to point out that the college's dormitories were only half full and urged that DeSaussure be converted into a dor- mitory for girls. This action did not go through. Scholastically girls were much like the boys - a mixture of both good and bad with a few needing admon- ishment for poor work. In 1899, Anne Fayssoux Davis of Winnsboro became the first woman to graduate with honors. President Frank Wood- ward complained that women sought only light and easy courses and over- indulged in the social pleasures dis- rupting the progress of the male stu- dents. On Dec. 1, 1896, several females received permission to give a dance at the home of Mrs. Louis LeConte on Pendleton Street. This was the first officially recognized coed social func- tion. Coeds became reluctant to pursue active roles on campus. Laura Annie Bateman, president of the 1891 fresh- man class, resigned because of popu- lar disapproval. Afterward, young ladies had a tendency to avoid campus politics. And, it was not until 1973 that the University elected its first woman student body president, Rita McKinney. In 1895 fear of female take-over caused the Clariosophic and Euphra- dian societies to amend their constitu- tions to prevent the entrance of In 1913, this coed reigned as one af the first Queens of Eafter Week. women in their meetings. But the coeds formed the Parthenian Society in 1900 to promote academic culture, sociability, friendship, and a spirit of loyalty to the school. One brave member of the newly formed organi- zation moved that all boys be banned Wommk tennis was quitepapulaf in the earb' twentieth century, agbecialbqnf the skirt set. 23