The sun., 1909-02-21
THE COEDS or WESLEYAN.
Comment on the Movement Against
Them by Coed Of 80.

I
THE Sun has received the following
from Miss Bertha Bass Of the Wesleyan
University class Of 1885:
Permit me to explain with reference IA
the letter from Middletown. Coma. which
appeared in THE SuN for February /, in
regard to the possibility that the trustees
OF Wesleyan University may vote this
month to abolish coeducation or 10 estab'
lish coordinate education
Women were admitted to Wesleyan Uni
versity in 1872. confessedly to gain money,
and most OF the endowment fund and al
most all OF the present buildings fuve been
given TO the university since that date e--or
event. From 1872 until 1900 there were no
restrictions upon the number OF women
who might attend the university: during
that period there was in the annual cata-
logue a statement that women were ad-
mitted on equal terms with mem" and
women were permitted TO share In prize
contests (oratorical or rhetorical) at COM
mencement aud In the junior exhibition,
At no time before 1900 did the number OF
women in-the university approa eh the pro-
portion OF 10 per cent. Of the whole number
OF students. but in 1900 the trustees voted
TO limit the number OF women students to
30 per cent. OF the whole number" Al the
same time women were debarred from
participation in junior exhibition and in
commencement orations, and from receiv-
ing their diplomas in the same groups with
the men Of the class on commencement day
Why was this? Why is this. still? II
was said by an undergraduate speaker al
the banquet of the New York Alumni In 1907
that it is the policy Of the student body 10
regard women who go TO Wesleyan Cni-
4 ali
know" This is a surprising statement, in
view Of tho superior scholarship indicated
by Seney scholarships and Phi Beta Kappa
pinsl of the women and Of the significant
fact that at almost no time since 1872 has the
college been without women siudents who
are daughters or sisters OF the faculty. to
whom the gentlemen students OF the college
are under social obligations. And yet a
persistent boycott has been mainta ned for
nine years and small group OF gentle
women students have been subjected to a
four years hazing by their gentlemen class
mates.
10 is not because the trustees are idealists
that they contemplate being the first such
body IN America TO withdraw educational
privileges which have once been given to
women. Confessedly they are doing this
out OF consideration for the wishes Of the
alumni and of he undergraduate gentlemen.
II a separate, so-Caled coordinate" college
should be established II is not because the
trustees are extravagant: they frankly ad-
NIT that the action would be dicta by
"expcdiency." As the university already
lacks an endowment fund. to pay the sal
aries OF its president and faculty. il would
seem dan gerous to establish "A separate col
lege for women without ample endowment.
Aud unless the men give positive assurance
that they would welcome such an adjunct
TO the institution, II would be doubtful
investment for any one with ever 40 much
money 10 give, to help plant a separate col
lege. Unless sufficient endowment is forth
coming, a separate college for women would
Cpnfessedly be an inferior institution"
\ committee was appointed over year
ago TO consider coordinate education for
Wesleyan women, but ii has not met for a
year" tone member Of II says: and its very
existence was not known to the alumna
for months after 1t was appointed SO far
as is known. not one @oman's opinion has
been sought by that committee, although
the alumne of Wesleyan number 200. one
ninth OF the entire graduate body.
one prominent trustee has said that he
would as soon vote to open I he doors wide
women students as to vote to abolish CO.
education at Wesleyan, Perhaps the tr,ls-
tees will so vote. 4 college cannot endure
half slave and half free"
February 20. 1909