Wellesley Wisdom
Give them their due: the women of Wellesley certainly think outside the box. Recently the student paper reported on a petition to make the college co-educational by admitting men. It led with the hostile reaction to one undergrad's link to that petition in her post on a Wellesley College Google Group, and went on to record at least two more novel solutions:
Among the students who were offended by [the] original post to make Wellesley co-ed is Tiffany Chen '13, who said that she would take less offense at [the] petition if its stated purpose were to promote a more open-minded definition of the term ‘female' so that the application process for gender-questioning prospective students might be made easier. The Common Application's required gender field, for example, can be difficult for students who are uncertain of which box to check. Chen disagrees, however, with the petition's description stating that "single-sex schools actually enforce sexism" ....
In contrast to those who either support or reject the petition to make Wellesley co-educational, Tim Chevalier '01 said that he believes that Wellesley is already co-educational.
"Wellesley is already not a single-sex college, as it admits men—for example, me," Chevalier said. Although Chevalier did not realize that he identified as a man until his junior year of college, he believes that he was certainly not the sole male student on campus nor would he be alone today.
- Comment (11)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (0)
Comments:
Jan '12
Re: Wellesley Wisdom
I am tempted to show this post to my daughter-in-law, but I am daunted by the enthusiasm with which she related her experience as a reporter on the school newspaper when she once interviewed another, more--uh--famous, Wellesley graduate, Hillary Rodham.
Constantly I must remind myself how thoroughly she and my son are devoted to each other. Hegel's logical explication that while the state must be grounded in objective law, the family is grounded in love does relieve my despair--somewhat.
Edited on March 23, 2012 at 9:22pmRe: Wellesley Wisdom
There are people who are "uncertain of what box to check" that are subjecting themselves to the application process of specifically single-sex institutions?
Only a college student would entertain the delusion that human beings exist who would willingly undergo such pointlessly arduous spiritual and intellectual self-reflection of no benefit to the progress of civilization.
Mar '12
Re: Wellesley Wisdom
Oh, but Bill, you didn't quote the best part of the article!
Well, this explains so much about the level of discourse at my college.
Jun '10
Re: Wellesley Wisdom
I agree with your point, but would suggest that one other category: the faculty of any gender studies program and any teacher of a class in the humanities with the word "gender" in the course title.
Apr '11
Re: Wellesley Wisdom
Maura Pennington: There are people who are "uncertain of what box to check" that are subjecting themselves to the application process of specifically single-sex institutions?
Only a college student would entertain the delusion that human beings exist who would willingly undergo such pointlessly arduous spiritual and intellectual self-reflection of no benefit to the progress of civilization. · 15 minutes ago
Have you spent much time with anyone while they were transitioning? Single sex institutions are a pretty important part of gender identity, and quite a lot of transwomen spend a fair amount of time thinking about them and engaging with them.
May '10
Re: Wellesley Wisdom
But if Wellesley becomes the de facto college for transitioning transgender students, what will happen to Sarah Lawrence?
Re: Wellesley Wisdom
Oh, Trace, we both know the answer to that question: it will continue pumping out senior staff for future Democratic White Houses.
May '10
Re: Wellesley Wisdom
I could have been an elephant, but I checked the wrong box.
Re: Wellesley Wisdom
James Of England
Have you spent much time with anyone while they were transitioning? Single sex institutions are a pretty important part of gender identity, and quite a lot of transwomen spend a fair amount of time thinking about them and engaging with them. · 5 hours ag
o
No, I haven't, but I did spend four years at an all-girls high school. There was no overwrought reflection on gender identity, save for the "so glad I don't have to wear make-up here" comments every morning. I didn't realize same-sex educational institutions held such allure for people on their quests for meaning. I could tell you all kinds of secrets!
Jul '11
Re: Wellesley Wisdom
Here is a radical concept. Let's not have boxes on college applications for gender and race. Colleges could then admit students based on merit and ability. Then we truely would be a country where all are equal.
Apr '11
Re: Wellesley Wisdom
Maura Pennington
James Of England
Have you spent much time with anyone while they were transitioning? Single sex institutions are a pretty important part of gender identity, and quite a lot of transwomen spend a fair amount of time thinking about them and engaging with them. · 5 hours ag
o
No, I haven't, but I did spend four years at an all-girls high school. There was no overwrought reflection on gender identity, save for the "so glad I don't have to wear make-up here" comments every morning. I didn't realize same-sex educational institutions held such allure for people on their quests for meaning. I could tell you all kinds of secrets! · 7 hours ago
For most people, gender is not particularly challenging, although I'd be surprised if there was really no one who spent time at all angsting about gender identity; the last century has been a pretty non-stop whirl of change for women in that regard. Likewise, probably few girls worried about their racial identity, but for those for whom there was a question, it was likely a bigger deal.