University of Virginia Library

Opinions Vary
On Coeducation

"Coeducation is a good idea if
people are mature enough to handle
it." The question remains, "Are
we?"

During the past two weeks, our
University community has
absorbed, with varying degrees of
difficulty, the impact of
coeducation.

Many, fearing the doom of their
cherished "gentleman's university,"
and the passing of the male
chauvinist traditions, have vainly
attempted to thwart the invasion
with cries of revolution and
celibacy.

Others, defending the new
community spirit, have presented
their views passionately at the steps
of the Alderman Road dorms.
"Somewhere in the middle, we've
really got something," mused one
first-yearman. Indeed we have.

We've passed from the
University of the 1860's with its
Victorian morality and southern
idealism to the University of today
with its Women's Liberation and
other progressive movements.

Once priding itself on its strong
southern backing, the community
here now boasts an extremely
diverse student body and takes
particular pleasure in accepting the
challenge of coeducation.

With the aid of Associate Deans
of Students, Miss Annette Gibbs
and Chester Titus, the University
has made tremendous strides in
experimentation with liberal
parietals and combined dormitory
living.

Close students of problems
resulting from this sudden change
in other universities and problems
anticipated here have helped to
prepare the administration and
students for their first year of
coeducation.

"Coeducation should be a
learning experience," brooded one
of our first-year women, "but all
we can see is an obnoxious group of
children testing their wings. They
run around our dorms making fools
of themselves. They don't even
leave us alone after hours."

When asked whether
coeducation had proved thus far to
be what they had expected, an
overwhelming consensus of girls
said no. "Guys don't hesitate to ask
you out without even asking your
name. I think they expect too
much."

Meanwhile the McCormick Road
dorms were in the middle of an
identity crisis. "Nothing ever
happens down here; all the action is
up on the hill and we can't even get
in on it. All the upperclassmen have
taken over. At first I thought you
drank here for fun; now it's a
virtual necessity."

"What should be done?" I
asked.

"We need more girls," they
shouted back. This situation is
revolting. It's too easy for those
*†"?? Girls and they know it. It's
easier to roll than to get a date
around here and besides there's
more adventure to rolling - more
excitement. The girls here are
inadequate."