Woman's enterprise., 1921-12-16
COMMUNICATED.
Baton Roupa Doe * 100

speaking the other day, that was
made by a writer in recent number
OF the "Woman's Enterprise" namely
that the present L. S. U. be converted
into girls school, when the Uni
verslty on the new site is complet-
ed. am not surprised that this sug-
gestlon brought forth several spir
tied replies as we'll as the resolution
passed by the Federation Of Women's
Clubs at the recent session here.
Many of us felt rather confdent-in
this age when so few things are sure
that the policy Of co-education, at
least as far as State schools are con-
cerned, was pretty firmly established.
Now, 10 and behold, in the midst of
all the problems and perplexities
which are generally recognized as real
in this troubled time-up pops the
idea that our country's achievement
Of educating men and women togeth-
err, is all wrong; and that we should
revert to the old system of the mans
university and-I suppose, the "fe-
male seminary"
Although this question, like every
one under the sun, will probably find
some merit con the other side" the
man who would convince modern
audience against the "principle' of
co-education in university, would have
a difficult task. Not that he could
not find in our colleges plenty of de-
ficiencies and weaknesses. The at
mosphere Of our educational irstitu-
tions is in large measure, fippant,
careless, lazy and Sporty; and al
good number Of students are wasting
their own time and their parents and
the States money. But the champion
Of segregation would have to search
far for proof that these conditions
are due to the system of co-education
and not to general social tendencies
of the day.
The fact is, as l see it, that the
trend toward co-education is but one
manifestation of the whole woman
movement. It's existence corresponds
with, or has been preparatory to CO.
operation of woman with man in the
economic, industrial, scientific, artis-
tic, political and social fields. Co.
education has become the logical kind
of education in a world in which the !
present idea Of womanhood prevails.
1t is platitude that the old idea of
woman's nature and woman's place,
which reached its flower in the ideals
OF chivalry, is dashed to pieces, and
all the kings horses and all the I
kings men cannot put it together
again. Although there is tendency
in this age Of jazz to restore a Carl
cature Of the old conception in the |
popular "baby" ideal for the mod
ern young lady.
AS the woman of today is citizen
Of the world, so she will insist that
her education must be the education
planned for people" and not for "fe-
males," and that she get that edu-
cation in the most natural ard help
full method, availing herself of the |
best instruction and equipment, side
by side with man.
Is it not possible that the sugges-
ton that the present University be
converted into a woman's college is
prompted not really by preference for
segregation Of sexes, but rather by
sentiment for the old site and desire
to retain it as an educational insti-
tuition? Such sentiment is admirable.
We need not 60 far to see the build
ings of the once proud old Centenary
College falling to decay. The sight
of it sends pang to my heart, though
I never even knew the place in the
days Of it's dourishing. The thought
that such could some day be the fate
Of our present University, or that it
should give way to stores and factor
les, is an offense to our feelings.
These grounds, about which cluster
good traditions and sweet memories,
should, in 50 far as may be practi-
cable, be preserved. A splendid build
ing, such as the Hill Memorial Ii
brary should stand for generations,
and always be used for purposes like
that for which it was built. / do
believe that when the time comes,
means sill be found to accomplish all
this. So many wants are to be full
filled. Surely, for all this sentiment,
there is no necessity to take the back
ward step Of re-establishing a sepa-
rate women's college.
With best wishes for the continued
success Of your paper,
HAROLD F. REINHART.