Coeducation (arguments for)

In the 1894 Microcosm, the class of 1895 shares its experiences from the year, including co-education. The page states from the perspective of the male students that, "conscious of the strength of our thirty-five stalwart men, toned by the graces of our five co-eds, we determined to live according to our own ideals and the edicts of the Faculty." This brief statement showed that the women's presence at the college influenced some of the behavior of the male students in a positive way.

An article printed in the Dickinsonian discusses the history of women at Dickinson College. From the first acceptance of a woman as a student and female professors being admitted under the faculty status, to the celebrations and workshops, "Voices of Today's Woman," taking place the weekend of October 6th, 1972 in celebrating the changes that have been made.

The 1893 Microcosm was the first one to display advertisements of colleges for women.There are two colleges being advertised, both Irving College in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania and Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

The 1890 Microcosm shows an advertisement for Dickinson College and the services it offers. In the category of the Preparartory Department, the advertisement mentions, "The course of study covers three years, and prepares students of both sexes thoroughly for Dickinson College, or for any literary institution in the country." This shows the college's acceptance of co-education by advertising directly for new students of both sexes.

On February 25, 1909 convened to discuss the system of coeducation and whether or not coeducation should be continued at Dickinson College. According to the committee, though men were ardently against coeducation at its onset in 1884, many male students are no longer "irritated" by the presence of women at Dickinson College. However, many male students and alumni were concerned that female students, "have won an altogether disproportionate share of College honors and prizes.

In 1908, the Board of Trustees established a committee to investigate the "advisability of continuing the Co-education at Dickinson College and whether we should decrease or diminish the facilities accorded to women." Trustee C.H. Zug and H. C. King led the committee and were to present their findings at the next meeting of the Board of Trustees.

During the dedication of the Charles Nisbet Campus on September 15th, 1972, Dr. Martin Meyerson was one of the speakers invited. Dr. Meyerson who was a renowned educator,an authority on urban affairs and president of the University of Pennsylvania led a lecture on a topic of "The Proper Study of Womankind." He offered a brief history of the female in society from Eve's time through the 1970's, emphasizing the often passive role of a woman. Dr. Meyerson emphasized the question of whether or not colleges and universities have had a special responsibility to their female students.

In his annual report to the Board of Trustees, President McCauley announces the beginning of coeducation at Dickinson College. The President asserts that since the first conversations regarding the admittance of women, changes have been made to the college buildings. Such changes include the building of rooms in which to hold recitation. Previously, recitation was held in men's dormitories (a location women in which women were not permitted).

Following its formation on June 26, 1883, the Committee on the Admission of Women presented its report on June 27, 1883. Trustee Alexander Gibson presented the report verbally. According to the minutes, "On motion consideration of the question was postponed for the present."

On June 26, 1883 the Board of Trustees decided to form another Committee on the Admission of Women. Trustees Gibson, Bird, Young, Hill, Hendrickson, Fisk and McKeehan were appointed to the committee.