The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1889-03-30
Co.Education.
Athenaeurn


Co-Education.
Athenaeum.
The advocates of CO. education at
the University are still hopeful. Al
though the opponents Of this system
as we'll as many of those who are
undecided or weak in the faith have
long since grown tired Of the discus
sion, yet it is question that will
not down, and one that we propose
to agitate until we are. rewarded
by seeing the daughters of West
Virginia enjoying equal privileges
with her sons. The friends of the
measure have time and again set
forth an array of facts in favor Of
its adoption which are undisputed
and unanswerable. Notwithstand-
ing the long catalogue Of attending
evils which the excited Imagination
and the exaggerated fancy Of the
uninitiated have pictured, the real
objections to co-education are few
and far between. The foes Of the
measure are unacquainted with the
workings of this system Of educa-
tion and have drawn their H.
logical conclusions from imaginary
eases.
Come, let US reason together, and
il the system is unable to stand the
test, let it fall. Let us examine it
first from a financial standpoint.
No one whose opinion is worthy of
consideration denies that it is the
duty Of West Virginia to provide
means for the education of her daugh-
tiers. Accepting this as a matter of
fact, any other than a system of CO.
education would require two insti-
tutions of almost equal expense to
the State. Teaching force and APP
paratus required in the higher de-
partments of study must be doubled
thus duplicating the expense. The
University is able to accommo-
date at least twice the present num-
her of students in attendance,
and By admitting ladies to the
same classes and allowing them to
Use the same apparatus with the
young men, and to recite to the same
instructors the additional expense Of
establishing q separate institution
would be obyiated. But if the dis
advantages are sufficient to overbaf-
ai,ce the additional expense, the ar
gnment loses much of its weight
and the mere matter of economy
must be put aside. We shall see in
due time.
Another argument in favor of CO.
education is the social culture which
is incidental to the system. The
student finds himself in the midst
OF a society Of young ladies whose
presence is absolutely necessary for
the requirement Of that social cul-
ture so desirable to every young man,
and without which no education is
complete. This can then be acauir.
ed with no additional expenditure
of time or money. 1t is then that
the students character is most i'm
pressiblo and if woman's influence
is cleyating, purifying, and emo
bling, let it he exerted at this sus-
ceptible age.
But says one, we are to adopt CO
education simply for the benefit Of
our young men? BY no means; i'm.
provement in the female character
will be equally efiicacious. 1t is the
natural atmosphere for the develop.
ment of all that is pure and high
and noble in the character of wo.
man. Delicacy of sentiment, cul.
tnre, refinement and grace in woman
and magaanimity, generosity, chiv
airy, and all the nobler qualities in
man are developed and nourished by
u co-mingling of the sexes.
And again the restraint which the
society of the opposite sex places
upon misconduct and rowdyism
among students is powerful argu.
ment in its favor. Offenses against
propriety, and vicious habits in gen
eral will disappear in mixed school
as shown in those colleges where the
plan is in operation.
Does any one suppose that the un.
earthly. noises which almost raise the
rooi from CHAPEL Hall each morning
before The arrival Of the Faculty
would continue we're few cultured
and refined young ladies presents
Does any one harbof for moment
lhe itlea tIlat the bitter antagonisms
anil fnctionai strife which are engen.
dered in our society elections could
longer exist? Good order, harmony
morality, wholesome incitements ia
study generous spirit ofemnlatlon,
and niller appreciation Of the du,
ties and responsibilities Of life are
the direct results ~ co-eaucation
wherever the system has been fairly
tested.