"Objections Arise Over Women's House." The Davidsonian, April 18, 1980.
- Title
- "Objections Arise Over Women's House." The Davidsonian, April 18, 1980.
- Description
- This article describes the reaction of 2 members of the CCRL (Council on Campus and Religious Life) against the Women's Center, and their arguments for why the Kimmel House should not be reserved as perimeter housing for women. Several college administrators then describe the goal of creating the new Women's Center and using the Kimmel House as women's housing.
- Creator
- The Davidsonian.
- Date
- April 18, 1980.
- Relation
- The Davidsonian. April 18, 1980.
- Text
-
Two student members of the Council on Campus and Religious Life (CCRL) questioned the establishment of a women’s honor center at Monday CCRL meeting. The center will be in the house next door to the President’s, where Biology Professor David Kimmel now lives. Eight to ten women will live there next year, and the center will accommodate seminars and receptions, according to Housing Director Bill Bolding. CCRL members Doug Shanks and Jack Hall objected to Bolding’s failure to consult anyone before establishing the center. “It seemed to be a decision the CCRL could have made.” Shanks said. “I don’t why the women merited a special study house,” Shanks continued, pointing out that more men than women are forced off campus. “It seems to be reverse discrimination.” He admitted that his failure to get perimeter housing affected his reaction. Bolding said the center was created “to give some flexibility to women” in their housing options. Women chose only from Cannon, Little, and Basement Carnegie on campus and had only four single rooms available to them, compared to 32 for men. Many houses in town, he added, are available to men. Since the center is located next to the President’s home, it would be a bad place for perimeter housing, which tends to get run down, Bolding said. “This is a good house, and we would like to have it increase in value,” he said.
(Cont. on page 2) If it were used for regular housing, “there would be too much intensity,” Bolding said. This will not be the case with only eight to ten occupants. Bolding also pointed out that the house lacked the parking space necessary for the number of students usually living in an off-campus house. Shanks said he didn’t feel the building’s location justified its being restricted to women “It’s just as easy to find 8 quiet guys,” he said. Women will be selected for the honors center on the basis of involvement in campus life, Bolding stated. The center is available to women from all classes. “There’s a basic need for women’s programs,” Bolding explained, “and for a study center for women.” Associate Dean of Students and Committee on Women’s Concerns Chairman Sue Ross said she hoped the women in the center will form a “nucleus” for discussions of women’s issues. The center would work together with the Union minorities committee to organize programs, she added. An example of possible programming, Ross said, would be discussions with professional women on “balancing a career and home.” Bolding said she hoped the center would accommodate women from the whole “spectrum” of viewpoints, from “liberal” women to those advocating “more traditional roles.” - Publisher
- Davidson College.
- Contributor
- Debbie Bland and Elizabeth Kiss.
- Source
- The Davidsonian.
- Subject
- Women's Center.
- Site pages
- Resources & Committees
Part of "Objections Arise Over Women's House." The Davidsonian, April 18, 1980.