The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-11
EDUCATION OF WOMEN.
DIFFICULTIES or THEIR OBTAIN
ING ONE At THE UNIVERSITY.
The Action of the Board of Visitors In
Throwing Obstacles In Their Path-Its
Effect in Sending Them North.
dor The TImes.l

this year at the University of Virginia
seems. at first glance, little discourag-
ing to those who are working for the ad-
vancement of the higher education OF
women In the State. The experience Of
universities which have opened their
doors to women has been that in the
beginning, each woman who would like
new field a little later. after some wo-
man Drawer than herself. perchance, has
explored 1t. She breads the odium OF
doing something unusual and shrinks from
the imputaton of seeking with Undue
eagerness the society of men. Were this
natural feeling, the only cause operating
to prevent their matriculation at the UNI
versity of Virginia, we might expect
next year, to see perhaps dozen Wo-
men registered there, and, after that,
rapid increase in the number Of matricu-
latlons on the part Of women, but there
are other causes which, in the opinion OF
good judges, will prevent this.
II is very far from my intention TO
enter upon a hostile criticism Of the
recent action Of the visitors and faculty
Of the University. 1 am informed, upon
good authority, and l am happy TO be-
lieve, that the higher education of women
has good friends in the faculty. l feel
sure that these gentlemen have obtained
for US the very best concessions they
could, under the circumstances, and l am
not ungrateful for these concessions,
There have been many times in my
own experience, when, II / could have
been admitted TO the great feast Of learn
ing to which my brothers were so ur-
gently invited, / would willingly have
eaten Of the crumbs that fell from the
table. In spite of these terrible disadvan-
tages Of the offer Of the University Of
Virginia, l had hoped that some brave
and gifted women would go, If for no
other reason, for the philanthropic one,
that they might prepare the way for
fuller and freer opening. Should this not
be so, let no one think that it is be-
cause Of the lack of appreciation for
the higher education on the part Of Vir-
ginia women. 1t will be rather be-
cause the few privileges and many re-
qurements Of the University Of Virginia
make them prefer to go to Northern and
Western universities, or worse STILL be-
cause the hindrances | have mentioned
will produce I'm them so profound a dis
couragement that they Will do what they
nave so often done In the past-fold
their hands and say. despairingly, THE
way is too hard; l cannot walk in it,"
In June, 1892, the board Of visitors or
dained that women of the age Of eigh-
teen years or more, on presenting testi
monials Of good character and evidence
of adequate preparation (either by GER
tifcate or examination acceptable to the
faculty, may be permitted to register
with the chairman Of the faculty for the
pursuit Of studies in the academical de-
partment Of the University of Virginia,
with the consent i'm each case Of the pro-
fessors in charge of the schools for which
registration is desired. and upon payment
of an annual fee of $25. 1t will be noticed
that the right Of admission 10 the Univer-
sity was not accorded but the privilege
Of taking any course was made dependent
upon the consent Of the professor in
charge. Practically. a woman admitted
to the courses OF one professor may be
excluded from those of another. l speak
of possibilities only, without any inten-
ton to mpugn the motives Of any pro-
lessor In the second clause Of the reso-
lutions Of the board of visitors occur the
words, But they shall not be allowed
to attend the regular lectures or other
exercises Of any school," As there al
ready existed regulation forbidding any
professor 10 receive remuneration other
than his regular salary. the large ma
iority Of the professors declined 10 add
10 their already pressing duties, and the
work Of teaching the women was reie-
gated to postgraduate students, VINO
were to be appointed for the purpose by
the faculty or in some cases TO the pro-
fessors assistants. These instructors
were to repeat TO the women the sub
stance Of lectures given by the professor
to the male students, and give them such
other instruction as was needed. To wo-
men inquiring about the price OF such
teaching the chairman Of the faculty has
stated: "The usual tutors fee for young
men is SO for three lessons week
through the nine months session, and
doubtless the same charge would be
made to the young women If they should
apply in considerable numbers" The
board OF visitors imposed fee OF SO Tor
naturalization, one Of 50 for every eXaml-
nation and a contingent fee of SO Ex-
aminations are held twice year. sup
nose a woman to matriculate at the Uni
versity and take twelve hours a week.
Her tuition and other fees, exclusive or
hoard and lodging, would be as follows:
Tutors fees ($25).
Annual fee. ..............'......''''' .
Contingent ee........-..........''.'' ~
Examination fees 5..................... ~
Total Observation-Disclosures. .''.Sl'o
This estimate. it viii be seen, is baseo
upon the presence of women in consider
able numbers" which would, even under
favorable circumstances. not be the case
for the first year or two Should only
few women go to the University. and
should they wish to take sixteen hours
a week. The time allowed TO freshmen
at The University of Michigan, their tut
ton expenses would hardly fall short OK
$3.50.
When the sums mentioned above are
contrasted with $42 (see catalogue of Uni
versity p. 800, the amount Of all fees
paid by Virginia men within the same
limits. and with tl1O the aggregate OF
like fees paid by men from other States
at our University. and II is remembered
that for this dsproportionate expense the
women obtain the instruction OF post
graduate students and assistants, ana
that after they have passed the very
same examinations and have been judged
by the very same standards as the men
who have had all the benefits of the teach
ing of learned, experienced and skillIul
professors. they are TO receive certificates,
but not diplomas or degrees, we begin TO
understand why there is only one woman
at the University Of Virginia
Should we care to go farther, we should