The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-01-22
HIGHER EDUCATION.
Women Fighting Their Way Through
University Barriers.

New York sun.
Since the proposition made by President
Elliot to include the Harvard annex as
part Of the college proper. If sufficient funds
could be raised TO meet the expense in
cured, and to grant the regular degree lo.its
graduates, fresh interest centers about this
Institution and its peculiar relations to the
famous mans university. Harvard is one
Of the most conservative as we'll as the
oldest of the great educational insti-
tutions in this country. AS a college
founded by men for men, 1t was strongly
opposed to co-educatioD, and, though
women were allowed TO take the regular
examinations from members OF the faculty,
and acquitted themselves creditably, the
doors OF the university were barred against
them. and students and professors alike re-
sisted the innovation OF their presence. IL
is fourteen years now since the annex was
founded by friends of the higher education
OF women, and class OF scarcely more than
a score. under faculty of forty from the
college, set the thin edge of the wedge
against the barriers Of conservatism.
The courses of study are, as far as posi-
bic, identical with those pursued by men in
the college. The examinations are con-
Quoted in the same way. But the recognl-
ton of scholarship, the coveted degree. is
still Withheld. and only certificate, stating
lflaL the graduate MS SATISFACTORILY per-
formed the work required by Harvard Col
lege for It's first degree, may be gained.
Now the annex registers 2GO students and
has faculty of eighty professors and In
structors. The number of its directors has
more than doubled since the seven women
who were selected in the first year ac-
cepted the Responsibilities. For the asst
two years the Sargent which IS offered
for the best metrical version Of one OF
HoTace's 0deS, and which IS open for COM
petition both 10 the university and the an
mex, has been carried OF by women. III
was through the energy and perseverance OF
a woman that tie observatory which at that
time did not grant Its privileges to the men.
was opened TO the annex students. 80
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 Michi-
gan University are instructors who were
graduates of this course. Somewhat re-
Gently young woman. desiring to study
Arabic, applied TO the faculty OF the
college Tor 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 if SHE wished to listen to the lectures
as guest both he and the Arabic professor
would be happy to have her She is now
constant guest ct the lectures, with no
woman will do. aud the venerable instiM-
ton will yet welcome women, not only as
guests. but as regular students. Though the
Trustees of Johns Hopkins University nave
accepted with graceful courtesy the terms
and conditions made by Miss Garrett for the
continuance of her gift TO the institution, the
resolutions passed admit women only 10 The
medical department 1t is about two years
now since the trustees promised TO open
a postgraduate medical school at the uni
versty 10 which men and women should be
admitted on equal terms whenever SJOO,OOO
should be subscribed for the purpose. COM
mlttees OF women took the matter In hand,
but failed TO raise the required amount I'M
til Miss Mary Garrett Of Baltimore added
S396,9I7 10 the generous fund she had con-
trbuled before, on certain conditions, which
must be maintained or the money reverts TO
Miss Garrett and her heirs. A committee
of six women, which committee shall MI its
own vacancies, is to have charge of Ques-
tons affecting the women medical students.
The general attitude Of the faculty aad trus-
tees has been TO exclude women from these
courses, but within The past few years
umher of exceptions have been made.
in which permission was granted indlvid-
ually, the women thus admitted not being
enrolled on the register nor admitted to the
examinations. Miss Christine Ladd,
graduate OF Wellesley, was the first woman
admitted, and followed courses for three
years in maj h. mates. Two other women
in mathematics, one In geology, two in
chemistry and one in physics have been
admitted in the past three years. Miss
Bascom, the geological student last year.
accompanied Professor Williams in a part
of his survey Of the Blue Ridge Mountains,
and district was assigned to her i've miles
square, which she examined and reported
with the thor0ughness required of men who
offer thems elves for the degree OF Ph.D. in
the department Of geology.