Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-03-16
FOR HIGHER EDUCATION.
Women Are Forcing Their Way Through
University barriers.

FoH F1ISF1EH EDOOR ION
women Are Forcing Their Way Through
University Barriers.
Since the proposition made by Presi-
dent Eliot TO include the Harvard annex
as a part OF the college proper IL sufli-
Client funds could DO raised to meet the
expense incurred, and TO grant the reg
ular degree TO its graduates, fresh inter
eat centers about this institution and
its peculiar relations 10 the famous
mans university. Harvard is one of
the most conservative as well as the
oldest of the great educational institu-
lions In this country. As a college
founded by men for men, 1t was strong
ly opposed TO co-education, and, though
women were allowed TO take the regu-
lar examinations from members Of the
faculty, and acquitted themselves cred
itably, the doors OF the university were
barred against them, and students and
professors alike resisted the innovation
OF their presence. 1t is about fourteen
years now since the annex was founded
by friends of the higher education Of
women, and a class of scarcely more
than n score, under faculty of forty
from the college, set the thin edge OF
the wedge against the barriers Of con-
servatism.
The courses OF study are, as far as
possible, identical with those pursued
by men In the college. The examina-
tions are conducted in the same way.
But the recognition of scholarship, the
coveted degree, is still withheld, and
only n certificate, stating that the grad
uate has satisfactorily performed the
work required by Harvard college for
its first degree, may be gained. Now
the annex registers two hundred and
sixty students and has faculty OF
eighty professors and instructors The
number Of it's directors has more than
doubled since the seven women who
were selected in the first year accepted
the responsibilities For the past two
years the Sargent which is offered for
the best metricai version Of one of Hor-
aces odes, and which is open for com
potion both to the university and the
annex, has been carried off by women.
II was through the energy and perse-
verance Of u woman that the observa-
tory which at that time did not grant
its privileges to the men, was opened TO
the annex students. So satisfactory
was the work of this first woman pupil
that the professor in charge decided TO
offer two courses each year to women.
| At Vassar, at Smith, and at Michigan
university are instructors who were
graduates Of this course.
Somewhat recently young woman,
desiring to study Arabic, applied TO the
faculty Of the college for permission
and received the usual answer that the
doors of the university were closed to
women. With the refusal, however,
there came private note from the
president suggesting that II she wished
10 listen TO the lectures as guest both
he and the Arabic professor would be
happy to have her She is now n con-
slant guest at two lectures with
no tuition fees. What woman has
done woman will do, and the venerable
institution will yet welcome women,
not only as guests, but as regular
students
Though the trustees Of Johns Hop.
kins university have accepted with
graceful courtesy the terms and condi-
lions made by Miss Garrett for the con-
tinuance of her gift TO the institution,
the resolutions passed admit women
only TO the medical department 1t Is
about two years now since the trustees
promised TO open postgraduate
me dical school at the university 10
which men and women should be adj
mitted on equal terms whenever $500, 00O
should be subscribed for the purpose.
Committees Of women took the matter
In hand, but failed to raise the required
amount until Miss Mary Garrett, OF
Baltimore, added S39G,077 to the gen.
erous fund she had contributed before,
on certain conditions, which must be
maintained or the money reverts 10
Miss Garrett and her heirs. A commit.
tee of six women, which committee
shall fill its own vac ancies, is to have
! charge of questions affecting the
women medical students The general
attitude of the faculty and trustees
has been to exclude women from these
courses, but within the last years Q
number of special exceptions have beer
made, in which permission was granted
individually the women thus admitted
not being enrolled on the register mol
admitted to the examinations Mis-
Christine Laid, graduate of Welles
, ley, was the first woman admitted, anC
, followed courses for three years Ii
mathematics Two other women In
mathematics, one in geology, two il
I chemistry, and one in physics have beer
admitted in the last three years. Mis-
Bascom, the geological student las
, year, accompanied Prof Williams in {
, part of his survey of the Blue Ridge
mountains, and district was assigned
, to her five miles square, which she ex
amined and reported with the thorough
ness required OF men who offer them
selves for the degree of PHI. d. in thu
department OF geology.-N. Y. Sun.