Wabash College - Wabash Yearbook (Crawfordsville, IN)

Page 11 text:

COMICS | GRouP 2s| 42 IND. | NOV) Vented Ee OE Les Ooe ee eS to fit my.

Page 10 text:

sri |

Page 12 text:

My purpose in writing this discussion is to consider coeducation at Wabash. I don’t think there is validity in considering any other college’s experiences simply be- cause no other college is quite like Wabash. The ques- tion of coeducation must be decided within the confines of our own campus and nowhere else. The conclusion must be reached from the standpoint of quality of educa- tion, both academic and personal, and no other considera- tion, (financial, etc.) can be regarded as being equally important. If women were admitted to Wabash the quality of classroom lectures would remain basically unchanged. In terms of pure actual knowledge the quality of education would not change. But is it not true that Wabash places ereat emphasis on classroom discussions, seminars, and discussion sections? Is it not true that students derive a finer education from this type of approach to the accumulation of knowledge? I feel that there is great value to this type of education — one which allows for the diversity, curiosity, and differences of opinion among students. The admittance of women to Wabash could only serve to enhance the educational quality of the college. To feel otherwise would be tantamount to admitting that women can add nothing to the discussions of men. This is nonsense. The goal of a liberal arts education is to produce a well-rounded individual — is this possible when an individual is only in minimal contact with half of our society? — and even then on a purely social, non- academic basis? It would seem that the purpose of any college should be to present the best possible education. And I contend that admitting women could only serve to improve the quality of education at Wabash. Shouldn’t Wabash take steps in this direction”? The majority of students at Wabash attended co-educa- tional grade schools and high schools. In considering Wa- bash they are certainly aware that it is all-male, but 8