University of Virginia Library

I would like to take this time to
commend Rabin Randolph Lind
and the "Give A Damn Committee"
for taking a valid stand against
co-education. He stated the important
facts which indicate obvious
reasons for not bringing coeducation
to "the University." Yet
there are even more "less" important
facts surrounding the everyday
life at U.Va. that are going to
be effected.

Speaking for myself, I would
not have enrolled at the University
of Virginia under co-ed conditions.
Co-education means the demise of
"the gentleman's university," road
trips (which if sometimes inconvenient,
are still fun), and almost all
traditions surrounding U. Va. life.
And as Mr. Lind points out, it
greatly endangers the Honor System.

I realize the national movements
for educational reform, equality,
freedom, etc., etc.....are responsible
for this tragic move. But movements
of these kind, in the issue of
co-education at the University of
Virginia, are defeating their own
objectives. Freedom of choice is
being denied as soon as all major
educational institutions become
co-ed. A prospective student (male
or female) is being denied his freedom
of choice when there is no
choice. If he (she) wants a sex-segregated
university, where will he
(she) go?

The University of Virginia is one
of the last major institutions to
remain sex-segregated, and, as Mr.
Lind states, "is the last state supported,
sex-segregated college in the
nation."

It is not a matter of whether or
not we favor co-education, it is a
matter of providing variety, of allowing
freedom of choice.

Why don't we try to hold on to
our identity, and offer a choice?