University of Virginia Library

Co-Education Committee Chairman

Woody Says Need Study
Presents Difficult Task

By Ted Rubenstein
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Photo by Duncan

T. Braxton Woody Comments On Need For Co-education

Dean Calls Gradual Admission of Women More Practical

"Extremely difficult" is T.
Braxton Woody's estimate of his
task as chairman of President
Shannon's ten-man committee to
study the need of co-education.

The committee plans to study
the "need for co-education" of
both the University and Mary
Washington, as well as the "general
needs of the state of Virginia,
and of Virginia and non-Virginia
women."

Separating Concepts

The Board of Visitors has
given President Shannon authority
to form a committee on "the
feasibility of co-education" if
Dean Woody's group reports
favorably. Realizing the difficulty
of separating the concepts of
"need" and "feasibility" Dean
Woody admits, "We'll just have
to accept it. We can't cover too
much ground at once."

A main means of the committee
to determine need will be
through addresses to the committee
by persons concerned. Dean
Mary Whitney is scheduled to
speak at the first meeting, with
Dean Cauthen slated for one
in the near future. Interested
alumni have also been invited
to speak, but, says Dean Woody,
"We won't turn it into 'open
house.' "

Study Birdwood Plan

Another major consideration
of the committee will be the
success of co-education at other
schools, notably Yale. Also the
"Birdwood Plan," whereby women
would attend humanities classes
at their own campus and science,
engineering, and architecture
classes with men, is being
given top priority.

Speaking as a teacher, Dean
Woody said he favors mixed
classes. "But this is because of
my field. A vast number of
French graduate students are
women, and on the whole, women
are more interested in languages
than men."

Zero to Four

When asked how admission of
women in vast numbers would
affect the association system
(Dean Woody is Dean of Emmet-Page)
he replied, "I wouldn't
have the vaguest idea." Although
Dean Woody has served as Dean
of Women at the University, he
said the number of women
ranged from "zero to four."

If the University does admit
women, Dean Woody favors allowing
only small numbers at a
time. "It is much more feasible—
for practical reasons— to allow
them in gradual numbers. Where
would you put them?"

The committee will hold its
first meeting next Thursday.