University of Virginia Library

Princeton Economist Sees
Necessity Of Coeducation

By Rob Buford
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

"What must be emphasized is
the effect on the future of the
University," said Gardner Patterson,
an economist from Princeton
University who Monday night addressed
the University Women Students
Association.

Mr. Patterson, who spoke on the
subject of the feasibility of coeducation,
has recently completed a
study on that question for Princeton.
That institution will co educate
in the near future.

"Changes will occur in the next
ten or fifteen years which will
radically alter the nature of a
traditionally all-male undergraduate
institution which admits women,"
said Mr. Patterson. He continued by
enumerating some of the changes
which might be expected to result.
"On the average women are better
students than men, and contrary to
myth, they do not drop out in large
numbers due to such factors as
marriage."

"Women today are much more
serious about careers than they
have been before. By taking an
active role, girls will tend to
stimulate the classroom atmosphere.
The faculty will be more
lively, and a higher intellectual
atmosphere will be achieved." Mr.
Patterson pointed out that major
changes will take place in curriculum.
"Universities will become
somewhat more humanistically inclined."

Referring to a poll his group
conducted among secondary school
students across the country, Mr.
Patterson offered his opinion that
"if Virginia should remain all-male
the quality of students will not