An opinion piece responding to many of the issues raised by the College's status of women report, incorporating discussion of the recent confirmation hearings of Clarence Thomas.
In this portion of her essay, Dean Meredith described her position. In the section, she listed her daily activities, holiday activities, long holiday activities, and her unclassified jobs. She explained that she does not have enough time in the day to complete everything.
In her report "Women at Dickinson College," Dean Meredith has a section titled "Women's Scholarship." In this section she discussed the ways in which women are strong students at Dickinson. However, it is difficult for female students. She explained that, "Co-education as we have it here is hardly fair to girls. There are not enough women teachers nor is there enough competition among the girls because girls are too few. Girls here are not “students†they are “Co-eds,†curiosities. A girl in a high school is just a student.
In her essay "Women at Dickinson College", Dean Meredith discussed dating, dances, and chaperonage at Dickinson College. She explained, "The college is sometimes criticized because boys and girls are together socially so much. Other criticism is not just but it is somewhat merited. About 8 couples can be so conspicuous that they give the college an unenviable reputation." Meredith argued that it is easier to control the relationships if the woman lived in Metzger, however, it was much more difficult to control commuters.
In this section of her essay, Dean Meredith examined the conditions for study at Dickinson College. She had two main concerns about the conditions in the 1930s. First, Meredith is concerend with women dating. She explained that commuters tend to come into town early and leave late now that they all have cars. This allows them to socialize and date unsupervised. Likewise, Meredith is concerned about Metzger Hall women dating as well. She explained, "Metzger girls spend their afternoon and other spare time about as day students do.
In her report "Women at Dickinson College," Dean Josaphine B. Meredith discusses women's health in a section entitled "Health." She explained that there had not been a single serious illness in years as she is sure to send any sick women home or to the doctor as soon as she saw symptoms. Moreover, Dean Meredith advocated for a Women's Hygiene Program at Dickinson College. She wrote that "The girls need a course in Hygiene to supplement their physical training. The Physical Tr. teacher has plenty of time for it.
In her report "Women at Dickinson College," Josephine B. Meredith discussed coed organization at Dickinson College. She explained that there were seven such organization. They included:
In her essay " Women at Dickinson College," Josephine Brunyate Meredith discussed women's extracurricular activities at Dickinson College. Meredith first examined the women's literary societies. She argued that the two women's literary societies were not as well organized as the male literary societies. She wrote that "The Literary Societies, however, provide the only chance for many of the students to learn how to speak and if properly helped by the Faculty many students would work hard and enjoy the work.
During her time as the Dean of Women at Dickinson College, Dean Josephine Meredith wrote a report entitled "Women at Dickinson College." Dean Meredith, an early female graduate of Dickinson College (class of 1901), utilized both her experiences as a female student and the Dean of Women to compile a report on the conditions for and experiences of female students. Thus, in 18 sections, she highlights living conditions, extracurricular life, social life, religious life, and academic life at the College.
Meredith's historical account of women's experiences at Dickinson College is further developed in her exploration of womens' interests and roles within student organizations. She dedicates several pages in her essay to explore specific organizations such as: Woman's Student Government; Y. W. C. A. and Religious life; Sunday Services; Literary Societies; Music; Dramatics; Girls Fraternities and Co-educational Organizations.
Woman's Student Government