New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-16
COEDUCATION AT COLUMBIA.
ADMITTANCE OF WOMEN TO ITS CLASSES.
MEETING OF THE SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING THEIR
HIGHER EDUCATIONAL TALK WITH PROFESSOR
DRIsIFR

| MEETING OF THE SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING THEIR
| HIGHER EDUCATIONAL TALK WITH PROFESSOR
| DRIsLER
| The Executive Committee Of the Association for
Promoting the Higher Education Of W omen held its
| first meeting since June on Monday. There was q
large attendance and several of the members
made reports on the work done In
the summer. In the spring it was
thought that a petition signed by several
hundred prominent citizens would be presented
to the trustees of Columbia College
at Its June meeting asking that they
should admit women to the classes. From
interviews with twenty-one of the twenty three
college trustees which were published in The
TRIBUNE IN April, it was seen that their sentiment
was unanimously against coeducation, and the as
ISOLATION then decided that the petitions should
be heightened. aud not presented until
this winter. There seems TO be n misapprehsnsion
regarding our aims" said a member of the Execu-
tive Committee on Tuesday. 1--WE have never ught
coeducation. All we ask is that yOungwomen shall
be allowed to hear the same lectures and attend the
same examinations in Columbia College that the
young men have. and that we think Is q modest
request. cannot give you the names of those who
have signed our petitions. but they arc representa-
tive Workers, and those deeply Interested
in the educational interests in this CITY, 1t has not
been decided when we shall present the petit
uons"
In conversation with q reporter Of THE TRIBUNE
on Tuesday Dr. Henry Drisler Professor of Greek in
Columbia College. stated the feeling in the faculty
on the subject OF coe ucaion and his own personal
views. " | am opposed to coeducation," be said,
but am heartily in favor of higher education for
women. On this point. however, there is
little difference among educated men,
"a dpntts hat irla nae6
life
Then why do you oppose coeducatiOni !" asked
Because l think that the sexes need diff
ferent training, and especially different In
structOrs. There are many reasons why young
girls should be under the sympathetic IN
structlons of women teachers And thus l
think the influence Of college students would be
injurious TO the more refined natures OF the glrs.
10 illustrate; Nearly every student enters the
campus pulling cigar, he nights a cigarette Oe-
tween the recitation hours and nnally leaves the
college 10 the afternoon enYeloped III q cloud OF
smoke"
Would not the presence of young ladies end
that nuIsaucef
II think NOT, and what If the young ladies should
follow the example set them by their brothers the
dwelling process tears down before II builds up,
and never reaches the expected height There Is
tendency even among NasSar girls 70 do as
other college students 40 They have hotel dinners
and tOas ana responses, and -"
But not the punch-OOwlP
We'll | wouldn't say that, but l presume
champagne will be the next innovation"
how do the faculty stand IL reg Td TO this ques-
ton y
with the exception Of Professor Newbury, all
are opposed 10 ii. Mrs Choate, who Is at tn head
OF tine present movement does uo 60 so far as many
OF those interested in opening the doors OF Column
ola TO women. she only wants them to go there
cause she thinks th5 facilities offered there are
greater thar IN any other college. l nave asked
uer why the ladies who are preparing petluOn 10
the trustees DO not raise money TO 0dlld
college Tor women here. They could do 1t, and EN-
piOy the best talent as instructors suOuld recon-
mend them to have women teachers 10 all the
branches, excepting the few where women have
MOI been successful aud then TO lave matron OF
such character aud strength as the 0ne Is at Nassar
Ia that way their dreams would be realized Win
out having the attending evils OF cOeducaton"
Have any girls applied for admission at Col
umDIA this year =
three or lour, think but of course, as tho trls-
tees would not allow them to enter the classes they
were not examined"
Would you OBJECT to teaching girls r
Not az all. IN classes by themselves. IF the
trustees Will building across the street from
tue college OF will have them come to the college
litter the regular classes are gone for the day,
should be perfectly wiling TO teach them Greek"
And If the trustees should in response TO the
clam Of the petitioners open all the present classes
to such women as could pass the examinations ~
Why l should teach them then rs a matter OF
course"
SDo you fear that their health would be injured
by taking tue regular studies OF classical or
Probably rot bot 1 think our semmlnarie. and
coll gcs tor young women work them altogether
too hard The glst OF the matter Is this you can
educate the sexes together without permanently
iujurng both. No one wants eneminate men nor
masculine women and both results would follow.
And bes dee that, constant contact with young
women would cause the rOung men tU lose that
delicate sense Of respect tor them, upon which the
whole social basis OF tins generation depends we
cannot aflCrd 10 take such responsibility. ANA
why should We since it is holly unnecessary
We are not educating boys to follow the pursuits OF
women nOr girls to engage in yocatOns PECULIARLY
adaptel TO men. As there is to be a difference In
calling, so there should be a difference IN preparing
for their IlieN oIk."