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Due
to a predicted decline in Davidson College's applicant pool,
financial capabilities, and support from within the college, Samuel
J. Spencer, President of Davidson College, formed a commission on
coeducation. In 1969, The Report of the Commission of
Coeducation was submitted to the Board of Trustees, outlining the
benefits of coeducation at Davidson.
The
issue of coeducation divided the Davidson community.
Overwhelmingly, students and faculty felt a female presence on
campus would enrich the academic and social lives of students.
Conversely, alumni feared coeducation would degrade the integrity of
Davidson College. Many opponents of coeducation also felt that
the physical modifications that would have to be made went beyond
the financial reach of the Davidson endowment.
Ultimately,
after 135 years as an all-male institution, President Spencer opened
the doors of Davidson to males and females alike. Men and
women had different opinions and experiences concerning the effects
of coeducation on their lives. Over the years, women have had
an increasing and positive presence at Davidson, further supporting
the Board's decision to become coeducational almost three decades
ago. This web site explores the many facets of Davidson's
transition from an all-male to a coeducational institution.
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