Coeducation (arguments for)

Freshman Class Split Over the Co-ed Question

Date
October, 1885

The October 1885 Dickinsonian mentions in the "Locals" section that the Freshman class is torn over the question of co-education. It was stated that ten members of the class "refuse to join the class-organization if the co-eds. are allowed to join." The other half of the class insisted that an invitation be "extended to the fair causes of strife."

Hurrah for the Co-Ed!

Date
July, 1885

The July 1885 issue of the Dickinsonian praises in the "Miscellany" section a fellow co-ed student, a Miss Bender, for her good work at the college. Elizabeth Bender received the prize for best scholarship in Greek and for leading the class in general work. This was published to show those "few petty, jealous and narrow minded students who believe that woman's place is no place" as well as the "theory of the natural inferiority of woman to man" has been debunked and those beliefs look bad upon the character of those who believe them.

A Co-educational Institution Should Be Respected

Date
December, 1884

The "Miscellany" section of the December issue of the 1884 Dickinson includes a letter to the editor about the "petty prejudices" towards the co-eds. by the male members of the Sophomore class. The paper recommends that these negative actions detract from the class's former reputation.

Hurrah for Co-education!

Date
July, 1884

In the July issue of the 1884 Dickinsonian, it briefly mentions this short phrase in its 'Miscellany' section. "Hurrah for Co-education!" was placed in this section randomly amongst other short unrelated paragraphs. This phrase is unique because it shows up a few months before the decision to have co-education at Dickinson.

Debate on Co-education

Date
1909

The 1909 Microcosm published a humorous piece, the "Debate on Co-Education: Spirited Riot in Harman Literary Meeting." This piece is about a debate amongst the ladies of the Harman Literary Society on whether co-education is better for women or if it is better for women to study at an all-girl's institution.

"The Co-Eds, Et Al."

Date
1908

"The Co-Eds, Et Al." is a humorous poem on how co-education changes education in the law school. These women who are studying to become lawyers alongside the men cause them to study and work hard to impress them. Unfortunately for them, the women there are not striving to win a man, but "rather to have a professional name." The poem then goes on to praise each of the five women who are studying law with them and wishes them the best of luck in the future.

"The Co-ed Will Go or Stay, Just as She Darn Pleases"

Date
1904

The Microcosm satirically writes about a fictitious debate on the question that is to be "resolved that the co-ed must go." The first "speaker" begins by complaining that there are too many co-eds around they are "to the right...to the left of us...co-ed doctors, lawyers, preachers, [and] wives..." and that they need to go. The second "speaker" argues against the first, saying that the co-ed "must be with us always" because college life would be "sad and dreary" without their smiling faces.

Dickinson College Co-eds are Argument Enough for Co-education

Date
1903

In the 1903 Microcosm, each of the members of the Junior Class of 1904 is pictured along with a brief paragraph about themselves. Mary Elizabeth Colburn was fortunate to have one Microcosm staff write about Co-education in her paragraph.

Top Ten Reasons Why Parents Should Send Their Daughters to Dickinson

Date
1900

The 1900 Microcosm humorously writes a piece about the top ten reasons why parents should send their daughters to Dickinson. Some examples of reasons for women to study at Dickinson are that, "nobody knows where Dickinson is...therefore [it is] an excellent place for girls not studiously inclined", "no one is allowed to study or be silent in the girls study hall for more than five seconds at a time. Singing and dancing are especially encouraged", and that "several members of the faculty are still young and unfettered.