University of Virginia Library

Sarah Lawrence College Takes
First Step Toward Coeducation

President Esther Raushenbush
of Sarah Lawrence College
announced today that the College
will accept up to 65 male transfer
students to enter in September
1969.

Sarah Lawrence in Bronxville,
New York, has had 20 men
students enrolled over the past two
years, and this year the
college begins active recruitment of
male applicants for the first time.
At present, there are 12 male
students on campus. The male
students are studying urban and
community affairs, creative writing,
literature, psychology, physics,
music and chemistry. One is a
pre-medical student, and three have
classes at the College's Institute for
Community Studies.

Flexible Programs

The men have come to the
College because of specific courses
not offered elsewhere, flexible
programs and opportunities for
individual involvement in courses
ranging from chemistry to practical
musicianship.

Sarah Lawrence students met
during the summer with trustees,
faculty and administrators to
discuss and implement coeducation.
A recruitment committee has now
been appointed by the President of
the College and the President of the
Student Council. Earlier this fall
the faculty of the College voted
unanimously in favor of
coeducation. The goal of 65 men
for the 1969-70 session is viewed as
a first step towards a more
complete coeducational program.

"Best Education"

President Raushenbush
commented that the College's
"style, experience and commitment
to individual growth will provide
the best education possible for
whatever combination of men and
women the College decides to have
as its student body."

The traditionally female
institution is known for its unique
style of education. It is a college of
600 students with small classes and
much opportunity for independent
study. The curriculum includes the
arts as an integral component. It is
flexible; there are no required
programs, no rigid system of
prerequisites, and no competitive
grading system. Field work and
community service are encouraged
as extensions of more academic
studies.