The president’s team claims that ’80 percent of the students responding to a survey conducted by the student government wanted the college to remain all female.’ From this statement, it is unclear what percentage of students actually voted and who was surveyed. The wording implies that the majority was in favor of coeducation, which later evidence proves not to be the case. Even if the claim is accurate, it speaks to a very narrow perspective that fails to consider all of the facts. The survey may have been conducted by the student government, but the student government exists to represent the college’s student body, not the entire student body. The student body is composed of several hundred students. The overwhelming majority of the student body may support coeducation, but the student government may only represent one hundred members, if that. Such a small sample may not accurately reflect the feelings of the entire student body. Furthermore, since the majority of faculty voted in favor of coeducation, which later evidence proves not to be the case, it is apparent that the faculty did not represent the views of the majority. Assuming that the survey is accurate, it implies that the majority of the students wanted coeducation, yet the faculty did not. Finally, the survey does not reveal the gender of the respondents. Based on the fact that more than half of the alumnae who answered a separate survey also opposed coeducation, it is unclear whether a majority of alumnae also oppose coeducation.

This recommendation by the president and his administrative staff assumes that coeducation poses a threat to the morale of female students. However, the evidence indicates that coeducation would have little to no effect on student morale. It seems more likely that the fact that female students outnumber male students at the college level would encourage female students, who are already the majority, to be even more supportive of each other. The experience in an all-female environment would likely increase camaraderie among female students and give them a sense of accomplishment. Furthermore, it is more likely that the all-female environment would instill in female students a strong sense of sisterhood, which would encourage them to stay involved with the college after graduation. Conversely, the all-male environment would likely foster feelings of isolation among male students. Since male students have few opportunities to interact with women, it is likely that they would be discouraged from forming friendships with female students. This could adversely affect their morale and their desire to continue studying.

The recommendation by the president and his administrative staff seems to assume that the addition of male students would convince alumnae to support Grove College financially. However, most alumnae are likely opposed to coeducation, so it is unlikely that adding male students would change alumnae’s minds about donations. In fact, this recommendation may prove counterproductive, because doing so would likely alienate female alumnae who oppose coeducation. It would be better to encourage alumnae to donate, regardless of gender, by marketing the college’s programs and encouraging alumnae to remain involved with Grove College even after they graduate.

The president and his administrative staff’s recommendation seems to assume that adding male students would have a negative impact on Grove College. However, since the overwhelming majority of students are female, coeducation is unlikely to adversely affect the college. Rather, coeducation would likely improve the college’s image and increase enrollment.