The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-30

numbers demands the division of such
class into easily-handled sections and
added labor for the teacher, eXactinE
increase of the teaching force. Always
Wheu you Increase the number of stu
dents you must add to the Touching
force.
II would seem, therefore, that the
only chance for economizlnS in such
an institution would be in Il rev higher
laboratory and seminar classes, and
In the general library. which could be
used in common. But IL should DC
borne IN mind that, under modern con-
ditions tho general library IL not 80
much used as the department libraries.
which would need to be duplicated for
institution.
There would be. therefore. so far as
expenditure of none" Is concerned a
small saving in CO. ordinuted educa-
ton OF tho sexes. But this common
use OF the general library and few
oil tho laboratories and the leSecncd
cost of books Is about all the economy
advocates may offer against all me
disadvantages of this co-ordinated edu-
cation OF the Sexes
But OF far greater importance is tho
question. Does cO-ordinated education
differ essentially and deslraOly from
coeducation? Does tho former escape
the dangers. and obviate the difficulties
of the latter2
Both sides OF the discussion now rife
In the Legislature In our city. and ono
might perhaps say In tho State, seem to
uBTeo tndt COCOuCallOn ID unueSlTaDlo
But advocates OF the proposed educa-
tional institution for women at the
University Of Virginia are pressing
their plea for co-orulnated education as
n different thing and a desirable thing.
Is it eitherG surely. II 1t is not diff
ferenI, II is not desirable.
Let 1t be clearly noted that this CO.
ordinatcd education brings the sexes
into as absolute juxtaposltlon as does
coeducation; that IL, within easy reach
OF all common appliances and instruc-
ton The two Institutions are practi-
cally one. being under single man
agement. and served by the sumo fac
ulty very largely. The classes. 1t may
be. would mingle little, but the stu
dents would mingle almost at Will, un-
less oonventual strictness prevailed.
They would meet in tho general libra
ry, in the common laboratories, on the
campus, in college gatherings, on the
| streets, In tho stores, anywhere and
everywhere.
Is IL not evident that all tho coedu-
| cational opportunities for association
| abound IN this system. except the SIN
| gle fact of meeting in the classroom?
This slight and single exception Is the
! only dinerentia between coordinate
most teachers, who have had expert
cnce of coeducation, would TESTIFY thht
| classroom contact is the least undeslr-
able form of coeducatlonal association.
| Indeed, If boys and girls nre to DO
placed in such Intimate association as
| coordinate education permits and
even invites. many teachers, tins ms
| coeducational meeting In classrooms
| to the pretended separation or the CO.
ordinating system For in the class
room boys and girls obey the discipline
of the school. are under tho watchful
| care OF the teacher, and are safeguard
| ed by the helpful preoccupation of u
| worthy scholarly purpose. Experience
| its disciplinary regulations, Is one OF
the chief safety valves and safeguards
| of the undesirable system called CO.
education. But while it may do this
| it can never offset tho dangers OF sucn
| a system. In word, CO ordinated cd
| ucation labors under tho most serious
| disadvantages OF coedEcation and yet
| wants it's most restraining influence.
| The danger does not lie in this reSu-
| lated class association characteristic
OF coeducatlon. yet not possessed by CO.
ordinated education save in slight de-
| gree, but the danger turks in the incl
! dental and accidental the promiscuous'
| nnregulatcd and unrcgulatuDle assoc
citation of innocent and sometimes un,
+, innocent boys and girls. youths and
maidcns. 1t Is this that does and
should give pause to virginian and
| accepting this plausible but deceptive
and dangerous form of higher educa-
| ton. for the mere sake of saving
money. We STAND IKE a moaG ini. sny
bemoaning "ducats" and daughter,
but mostly tho "ducats" Meantime
| we stand, too, front TO iroht with this
| new menace to "thc civilization OF ths
| Puritan and the Cavalier!'
If this now co-ordinated university
wero 10 be open only to young men and
young women past tho sophomore stag{
OF instruction. It should stiii DC eyett
school graduates, as 1t cannot holy
I doing. boys and girls of tender est
and uniformed character at tho seahoI
of life most impressionable and most
!, Vulnerable lis 1t too much to ask oui
lawmakers and educational leaders t
| move very deliberately? Some OF VI
feel that 1t would not be too much u
mand for so-callod CO. ordinated educa
Ition DO given an Everlasting no.. Fol
III VIII prove n bano to-. tho higher
1 cduca ton of both men and women
Richmond, u. G. WOODWARD.