Mary Balwin Faces It's Greatest Challenge Yet...Men
Start writing a post
Student Life

Mary Balwin Faces It's Greatest Challenge Yet...Men

MBC plans a co-ed future due to financial struggles

42
Mary Balwin Faces It's Greatest Challenge Yet...Men
Amanda Creswell

Creatures that adapt survive, those who don’t disappear, that's the same with businesses and schools. Right now, Mary Baldwin has to adapt by having men live on campus, so what, I would rather have men on campus than no campus at all.

The fact is the “all women” education system is dying and it seems many of the students and alumni don’t agree with the changes. The change has left me with a bitter taste mainly because the dorm I've been living in for two years is being “taken off the lottery” as Dr. Fox stated while explaining to everyone who attended the student senate meeting last Tuesday, November 28, that “Tullege is the best housing for new members of the University Collge.”

Many students, including myself, found the beginning of the semester suspicious and wondered why everything was so secretive because we heard about possibly going co-ed, but no one knew much of anything or just wouldn’t say anything.

A recent graduate of 2014 commented on Mary Baldwin's Facebook page “I'm in full support of admitting male students to educational programs in proportional numbers... If you're going to sack this institutional pillar, at least be transparent about it. Because we get it. It's not hard to see why the change is coming.” The student, Linnea Kuglitsch, even believes that the school would lose even more finances by going co-ed, stating “We're a competitive women's liberal arts university, because of our values and our sense of community. These are not the selling points of co-ed universities. We're at risk of digging an even deeper financial hole than we started with.”

Alums and students alike have even pulled together to sign a digital petition in order to try and stop the co-ed program, there are currently 423 supporters and I am not one of them. Here recently it seems like people think if you just sign a digital or paper document you're going to be able to change everything, and that’s not necessarily the case.

During the student senate meeting Dr.Fox explained that “Over the last 50 years… Mary Baldwin college, like many other single-sex colleges have experienced a variety in enrollment pressure...” later going into depth about the need for finances and this being Mary Baldwin's last hope to survive, at least that's how she made it seem.

Students were not the only ones who were surprised by the information, but the faculty was as well. One professor of 15 years stated, “I suppose I didn't really consider that (the co-ed program) was an option on the table. The possibility of making it an option to consider has come up in the past, but it's never actually gotten to "the table" until now. I've always known there's a possibility it could happen.”

Still surprised she stated that her initial reaction was “I didn't like it at all - I'm very passionate about single-sex education and very passionate about women's empowerment.” However she continued to say “I understand the concerns, the anger, the fear of change, but I also believe that this move will help us to sustain the MBCW, which is where my heart certainly is.”

It’s clear that people are going to be upset face it, we don’t like change. But when it comes down to it, it’s just a means of survival and right now this change is going to upset many people, that is until it becomes a normalcy. Just wait for years from now it's going to be a program that seems just as normal to those students as the PEG program does to us now. All in all, it may seem like a big change, but who knows with more money rolling in and more mouths to feed maybe we will have better meals, now and again. Just kidding that would be too big of a change, then students would really lose their minds.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

71033
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

132600
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments