Wells College, in Aurora, N.Y., recently announced that it will begin admitting men for the first time in its 136 year history. The administration says allowing men is the only way to increase enrollment.
Students, however, have met the announcement will protests. Nearly half the student body marched, sang, chanted and waved signs in front of the administration building, while some continue to camp out in front of the building until the decision is reversed.
The Issue Wells College, in Aurora, N.Y., will begin admitting men. |
Students of Wells College pay $22,000 a year to attend the school. As one of only 60 female colleges in the nation, Wells students pay the large sum of money to experience this environment that other schools cannot offer. It is unfair to take this away after so much has been invested by the students.
Instead of hasty decisions, Wells College should attempt to increase enrollment in other ways.
Wells is in a unique position to market itself nationwide, drawing students from near and far that desire the unique experience it can provide.
Furthermore, the admittance of men is unlikely to solve the school’s enrollment woes. In fact, the policy will likely prove to do more harm than good. With more than half the student body intensely protesting the arrival of any men on campus, it will be difficult to recruit enough men to significantly improve enrollment numbers. Not to mention, current students opposed to the decision may transfer to one of the 59 other female colleges, in turn decreasing enrollment.
When all other options are exhausted, Wells College could enact the policy change more tactfully. Most obviously, the student body could be forewarned of the college’s financial woes and be included in discussing solutions. Also, considering the chancellor admitted the school is not in a financial crisis, the college could have announced that it will begin admitting men in four or five years. This way, all current students would be able to complete their college careers as a part of an all-female class, and incoming students would enroll aware that men will be admitted in the near future.