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Page 12 text:
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-EXTRA ®hc Sinj-tum W @ Since 1897 VOLUME 84 Washington and Lee University Lexington, Virginia July 16, 1984 W L to go coed in ' 85 Bv MIKE ALLEN and BKl ( E PdtTER Chief Editors Washington and Lee Universi- ty will begin admitting women in the fall of 1985, the Board of Trustees decided July 14 after a two-day special meeting The decision ends 235 years of all-male tradition at Washington and Lee and leaves only a hand- ful of all-male, non-military liberal arts colleges The resolution, passed 17-7 by the trustees after what was descntwd as a civil yet vigorous debate, reads as follows: Resolved, thai Washington and Lee University shall admit qualified students, regardless of gender, to all of iLs degree pro- grams commencing in the Fall of 1985 The decision was announced at a 12 45 p m press conference in the Commerce School Nearly 50 media representatives attended the conference About 100 students and faculty memt ers watched the press conference on television monitors in Reid Hall Reading from a statement prepared by the board, which had voted on coeducation at 1150 am. Rector James M Ballengee said, ' We are con- vinced that a stronger Wash ington and Lee and a stronger society will be the happy result of the decision we have made As many as 100 women will be admitted in the fall of 1985, said University Pr esident John D Wilson, adding that the board had hoped the school would have as many as 500 women students within 10 years Wilson spoke of the integrity, honor and character here. as well as our superior teaching and learning and academic pro- gram We believe that these values that are so important to Wash ington and Lee can and will t e enjoyed by men and women equally, and that they will help to contribute to making these as much a part of the future as they have t een of the past. he con tinued Wilson also said at the press conference that he had voted in favor of the motion Although he said he didn ' t speciiically make a recommendation to the board, he was the first member to speak on the issue Saturday morning I suppose that could be con- strued as a recommendation, Wilson said Another member of the board, whom Ballengee declined to identify, made the motion to adopt the resolution Executive Committee Presi- dent Cole Dawson and former EC President Robert C Jene vein represented the student body in the trustees ' closed ses- sions Jenevein traveled to the meeting from Dallas at his own expense Looking worn but enthusiastic, Dawson talked with reporters following the trustees ' press con- ference It ' s going to take an ef- fort of the whole student body lo implement coeducation in a positive way, he said It was really exciting when il happened 1 still cannot oelieve the course of history has chang ed right here at Washington and Lee Dawson said he was in favor of coeducation I didn ' t come out and directly tell them that, ex- actly, he said I told them at the end that my feelings were toward coeducation I don ' t think the market is there for an all-male school, he added This school ' s not marketable as an all-male in- stitution Charles D Hurt Jr of Atlanta, president of the Alumm Associa- tion, and former Alumni Association President Peter A Agelasto III, represented the alumni at the meeting Among reports received by the board this weekend was an analysis of an alumni survey conducted this spring by a Rich- mond research fu-m Of the 6,700 alumni who responded to that survey, 58 5 percent said they opposed coeducation, 28 9 per- cent said they favored it, and 10 6 percent said they had no opinion Although Hurt said he did not make a specific recommenda- tion that the board defeat coeducation, he did say the tx ard was aware of the alumni ' s feelings because we have had a continuous communication with the board as a whole as well as individually Alumni will support the deci- sion. Hurt added I think the decision was the right decision, and 1 think the alunrni will ac cept the decision, he said In iLs statement the board James .M. Ballengee, rector of the board of trustees, announces the board ' s decision at a press con- ference early Saturday afternoon in the Commerce School. From left lo right are former L ' .V ' a. Presi- dent Edgar V. Shannon Jr,. W L President John D, Wilson, Ballengee and Virginia Supreme Court Justice A, Christian Compton. (Photo by Cotton Puryeari noted that within the Board ' s niembership itself opinion was divided, and the vote on the resolution ' s adoption, while strongly in favor, was not unanimoiis However, now that ttie decision is made, the Trustees are united in pledging their full commitment to the sue cessful implementation of the University ' s new course At the press confereiKe, Bal- lengee said, We determined in advance that a decision of this magnitude should not be made by what one would call a sbm majority or a narrow majority He added that the number of votes in favor of coeducation, 17, exceeded the numtier of votes the board had decided to re- quire, but he declined to identify that number Two other trustees, A Chris- tian Compton of Richmond and Edgar F Shannon Jr ofCharlot- tesvUle, attended the press con- ference Shannon was president of the University of Virgmia when it first began accepting female students Compton said he voted against coeducation ■t)ecause I feel that we have put in place at this university a fine-tuned educa- tional machine which is pro- viding a high-quality education m a single-sex atmosphere, and has produced a body of ouLstandmg alumni who have succeeded eminently in all walks of life ' However. Compton said. Those of us who love and sup- port Washington and Lee will work just as hard to make coeducation another positive factor as far as W L is concern ed There is no appeal. added Compton. a justice of the Virginia Supreme Court Shannon noted that the board studied many financial projec tions before making the deci sion Ballengee described the discussion preceeding the vote as entirely civil, as Washington and Lee gentlemen should be. one to another There were people with differing points of view All of the issues that you could possibly imagine were discussed It was a free, full and frank discussion I never heard anyone raise his voice On the whole. It was polite Asked his feelings now tfiat the debate finally had ended. Wilson said. I feel exhausted, if you want to l)e absolutely candid about It It ' s been a long and arduous undertaking, ibuti frankly, a rewarding time Tm just looking forward to having it all t e over. he had said in an interview earlier this week A decision of this magnitude and complexity involves us all in the re-examination of this university and its character There is a spirit alive on the campus, a spirit of huinaneness I feel very good about the decision I think it was the right decision to be made, added Wilson, who. along with Ballengee, wore a Washington and Lee tie to the press con- ference Relaxing at Lee House after the press conference. Wilson ex- pressed hope that Washington and Lee now could begin to plan for the future in other areas Wilson said at the press con- ference that the trustees authorized creation of a commit- tee on coeducation, consisting of students, faculty and ad- ministrators, to help guide us in every step of the way ' Female law students and women faculty meml)ers will aid th ' committee. Wilson added Among planned improve ments to the university ' s physical plant are a $4 million to $5 million dormitory, which has been in the works for some time, and about $150,000 worth of renovations to the gymnasium areas to provide separate locker room and shower facilities for female students I trust that you re supportive of that, Wilson added, with a laugh continued on page 4 8 The ear on Campus
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Page 13 text:
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Page 2, The Ring-turn Phi, July 16, 19B4 Opinion No, we ' re not going to hell in a handbag By MIKE ALLEN Chief EdiUH- ' msde btHtnry totisy. atvthf future. indole litsKlinM Ferrari Painful as it was, the time had come to wake up. smell the cof fee. and admit women to Washmgton and Lee The no go co forces have reached their Appomatox Now it ' s time for a little reconstruc tion The well-intentioned anti-coed people who fail toseethata well fought battle is over are wel- come to take their marbles and go home . the rest of us are going to attempt to make coeducation the best thing that ever happen- ed to W L It ' s hearlsickening to realize that when I think of the people who love Washington and Lee the most and would do anything for it. 1 think of people adamant- ly opposed to coeducation Those people have to feel betrayed The hope has to be. though, that their regard for the institution is greater than their devotion to one particular aspect of it This has been a most unplea- sant civil war During his 1984 commencement address. Presi dent Wilson told the graduates. I know It has concerned you that we seem to be divided on this important matter, students, faculty, alumni and staff But that may tie inevitable on a mat- ter of such significance, and I live in the faith that it will not be a permanently disabling condi tion We have to hope he ' s right Dr Wilson is not, contrary to popular opinion, the Grinch that Stole Single Sex He is a person who was willing to be the point man. and consequently to be subject to unmitigated garbage, for a change which he. rightly or wrongly, believed was the best path for the insUtution he ' d been hired to serve The Board has said what the policy will be It IS now incum- bent upon us. through a com- bination of respect and coopera- tion, to assist Dr Wilson and his administration in implementing that policy as effectively and as smoothly as possible Ttie student government will be an important component of that effort As you study history, it seems that strong leaders ap- pear when they are most needed For the W L student body, such a man is Cole Dawson His IS a lough position He follows the incredibly dedicated Bob Jenevein, who, like all pro- minent men, had vociferous, persistent critics Cole, who is capable, willing to listen, and possesses integrity of the highest order, is up to the challenge Once an opponent of coeduca- tion, he changed his mind upon further research and reflection He was, like us, willing to wholeheartedly support single sex if that was what was re- quired of him The trustees, however, made what he came to believe was the better choice He, by the way, should be credited with offering one of the most cogent observat ions to sur- face during the coeducation debate Everyone ' s talkins about male camaraderie ' What about ema fcamaradene ' ' The trustees have reached a conclusion similar to that of General Lee in April of 1865 It was time to cut their losses while what they had was still worth saving Lee realized tfiat the losses he was sustaining were unacceptable, that to continue would invite further decimation of his turf, and tfiat his men ' s commitment to the cause was waning The trustees have made a similar decision We have the rare opportunity to take a unique and still strong institution and propel it to even greater distinction The trustees aren ' t trying to take our paradise away from us, they ' re making it possible for us toenfianceit The pursuit of excellence, both in ourselves and in future students, is the key to the con- tinued vitality and superiority of the University The time IS now The chance is ours The fate IS Washington and Lee ' s W L going firs I class By BRLC ' K POTTKR Chief Editor Last summer, before the ques tion of coeducation was placed squarely on Washington and Lee ' s agenda, I was talking with a co-worker who graduated from William and Mary College, a relatively small but highly regarded coeducational school in Williamsburg The conversation turned to colleges, and, inevitably, to Washington and Lee coeduca tion Although partially in jest, a comment my colleague made that day forever will remain in my mind Washington and Lee is tieing dragged, kicking and scream- ing, into the 20th century, he said I believed then that his com- ment was fairly accurate, and since, 1 have come to realize that it was even more so .Now. after last weekend ' s decision, we have really entered the 20th cen tury .And if each of us works at making coeducation succeed. Washington and Lee once again can join the ranks of the most il- lustrious colleges in the nation — a position the school certainly deserves No longer will we have to be dragged into the 20th century We can now move into the 21sl century with our head held high, knowing that we had the courage to make a decision — in many ways unpopular and in all ways difficult - that will benefit this university Many people assume that Lex- ington and Washington and Lee are quiet during the summer This IS not entirely so A group of 17-year-olds, rising high school seniors known as Summer Scholars — both male nd female — were on campus this month, participating in various programs the university offers Also on campus this past week were tourists — again both male and female — from all over the country They, too, marveled at the beauty and grace of Washington and Lee, and ils history and quality We must ask: If they had visited Blacksburg, would they have toured Virginia Tech ' ' continued on page :t New student body president reacts to coed decision To the editors : The result of this weekend ' s decision is one that will no doubt hit a nerve in the heart of everyone associated with Wash- ington and Lee Never before in W L ' s history has an issue fostered so much controversy and stirred so much emotion Washington and Lee has survived many tiattles and coed will be another one —Washington and Lee is and always will be a distinguished university, due to its unique educational atmosphere It will continue to produce honorable, intelligent, well-rounded in- dividuals who will be the movers and shakers in our society Twenty years ago we were one of many all-male institutions We were not simply another all-male institution, we were uni que and will remain so, for the same reasons, far into the future. We hs ve a strong tradi- tion of honor, integrity and strength of character, along with the many values and ideals in stilled in our university by General Lee After the Civil War, Lee had been defeated — his beloved South had lost aU that it had believed in for so long But he came to Washington College with an optimistic attitude that the future would hold more than what many believed to be a hopeless destiny With his strength of character and will to succeed, he created a fine in- stitution — a better Washington and Lee This may seem trivial and trite, but we must have similar courage to strengthen our university — to use this op- portunity to bring W L up to its full potential The chemistry of W L ' s pre sent atmosphere will change, but the fundamental foundation of the W L experience will go on This weekend ' s decision is hard toswallow Walking around campus after the decision, I had a gut-wrenching feeling in my stomach that came from the ap- prehension and uncertainty of the future Will the intangibles so crucial to the W L experience be lost, or will the admission of women strengthen our universi- ty and all that it stands for ' ' At one time, Washington and Lee competed strongly with such schools as Davidson, Duke and U Va There is no question that W L provides a much more uni- que and broadening education than these schools , but as of 1983 those schools were only accep- ting 33 percent of their ap- plicants to fill their freshman class, whereas we now accept 60 percent of our applicants The percentage has gone from 40 percent in 1965 to 49 percent in 1982, 57 percent in ' 83, and 60 per- cent in ' 84 The education that W L offers, although unique and highly regarded by its students and alumni, is simply not that at- tractive anymore I know, as I ' m sure you do, of many who con- sidered W L but shied away due to the single-sex factor —also, many guys who were W L material who came and trans- ferred due to the all-male character 1 will truly miss the mystical all-male quality of W L. but am confident that admitting women is a positive move and one that will make W L a stronger in- stitubon in the future Contrary to seemingly popular opinion. It was not President Wilson who brought coeducation to the forefront and it is not his fault (not a fault at all, in fact) that we are destined to tie a coeducational institution I real- ly tielieve that we are fortunate to have such an outstanding president Watching him in the May board meeting and this weekend, I have seen an in- dividual with as much dedica tion to Washington and Lee as any person I have ever seen His knowledge and emotions for the school are admirable and deep- rooted Lastly, let me add that our present Board of Trustees is the result of 15 years of careful and delitierate selection by our former president, Robert E R Huntley This board has been acknowledged as one of the strongest groups of individuals to govern the school in its history They are all deeply rooted traditionalists, each of them as dedicated to the univer- sity and to the preservation of the unique quality and character of education at W L as the next There were tears in their eyes as they said goodbye to a 235-year- old tradition, and literally near tears as they gave theu last sta tements before the vote I know many students and alumni think W L ' s traditions have been irrevocably lost I hope, though, tliat you will all pledge your support for a better Washington and Lee — the school we love so much The decision was a hard one — one that took into consideration both students ' and alumni ' s views very seriously Almost all day Friday was spent considering those opinions But the decision has been made and the future and desUny of W L has begun a new course Listening to W L ' s Latin motto, Non in cautus futun — Not unmindful of the future — remember this as you look to tomorrow We have so much to gain with a positive at- titude Sincerely. Cole Dawson eIl|E Eing-tum pi|i Chief Editors Business Mgr. Bruce Potter William Schoejfler Mike Allen SeusFdilor Paul Kouich Managing Kditor Read? Williams Photo tditor CoUonPunear I opv Editor Karen Merii rteporif r Paul Smith : turn Phi ■ . publi ihed r « r Thursdav during i nariK from ad frU tng and from a portion u Koartl clecU lli Chipr Kditw and RusUie« p mdependent The Year on Campus 9
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