"Women's Center to Be Union Committee Next Year," 1982.
- Title
- "Women's Center to Be Union Committee Next Year," 1982.
- Description
- Davidsonian article about the closure of the Women's Center in 1982. The article features an image of the Kimmel House, which was the site of the Center but went to being perimeter housing after the Center was closed.
- Creator
- Peter Gulyn.
- Date
- April 9, 1982.
- Relation
- The Davidsonian, April 9, 1982.
- Text
-
The Kimmel House, currently the site of the Women's Center, will be just another perimeter house next year. A proposal to form a Women's Concerns Committee on the Union Board to take its place was accepted at the Board meeting on April 2, according to Lisa Brawley ('82.) Lisa was the informal head of the Women's Center this year. She submitted the proposal for the new committee after discussing the matter with Associate Dean of Students Sue Ross and other interested people, she said. "They expressed earlier in the year that they thought there might be a better way to serve the needs of the campus." She continued, "It was decided that a Union Board Committee would be more efficient for communication reasons." Interested students include Sherburne Lauhglin, Betsy Thomas, and Elizabeth McMillan. The Women’s Center was originally formed in response to a desire to discuss issues pertaining to women, as well as the fact that “women did not have as many chances in the housing lottery,” according to Bill Bolding, Student Housing Director. “I don’t think women will be losing very much by losing the Kimmel House at this stage,” he added. There were so few applicants that the house was not filled at the beginning of the year, Lisa said. The Center was started in 1980 and first received funding from the Activities Tax Council this year, she said. If it had not been replaced by the committee, there was a good chance that it may not have been funded by the Housing Office next year, Lisa said. The committee will obtain funds by virtue of being a part of the Union Board. "Originally, the idea of a Women's Center excited me because it was so unlike Davidson College—usually Davidson is a very conservative place—but now I'm somewhat frustrated." Lisa said. There were five active members at the beginning of the year, and the Center published two newsletters entitled "Airborne," she said.
The Women’s Center “was ignored” by the campus, and after a time, members “lost their motivation,” she said. “As a building, a place where people live, the Women’s Center did not meet the needs of the campus. A Women’s Concerns Committee has more credibility,” Lisa said. "Publicity and visibility are very important. If the committee gets interest generated, then maybe there could be a full-time thing" in the future, she said. "I think there might be enough interest later. I'd like to see it as a community center(rather than solely College sponsored.) That would be more exciting-... There is much more to being a woman than being a student."
"It is funny that at Davidson College, the people still ask whether we need a Women's Center but at the other campuses, it is assumed," she said. - Publisher
- The Davidsonian.
- Language
- English.
- Source
- Women's Center D-File, Archives and Special Collections.
- Subject
- Women's Center.
- Site pages
- Resources & Committees
Linked resources
Part of "Women's Center to Be Union Committee Next Year," 1982.