Campus celebrates Co-Ed Week
Jason McFarley
News Writer
Events ranging from a screening of "The Godfather" to a campus kickball tournament will be part of a weeklong student government-organized celebration of the 30th anniversary of co-education at Notre Dame.
Events begin Sunday with a charity run to benefit breast cancer and end Oct. 13 with a Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and an ice cream social in the dining halls.
"We really want to recognize this important anniversary, and we want students to talk about it and participate in the events," said Student Body President Libby Bishop.
Organizers wanted the week to be a balance of fun and serious events, said Katy Hall, chairman of the gender division of Bishop's office.
Chandra Johnson, assistant to University President Father Edward Malloy, will give a lecture on gender relations Monday. On Wednesday, Bishop will moderate a panel Wednesday that includes students, faculty and administrators who were on campus in 1972, when Notre Dame first admitted women as undergraduates.
The week also includes a kickball competition between quads on Tuesday and a Thursday showing on North Quad of "The Godfather," the 1972 Best Picture Oscar winner.
"We were looking to do things that would be fun and unique, and we really wanted to make this an all-campus event," Hall said.
The anniversary of co-education holds special meaning for Bishop, Notre Dame's second female student body president. Both her parents are 1977 alumni, the second four-year co-ed class to graduate from Notre Dame.
"The stories I've heard, especially from my mother, are all so interesting," Bishop said. "It was a different time then, and women just had to work so hard to establish themselves."
A co-education week was part of Bishop's campaign platform when she was running for office in February. After their election, Bishop and Vice President Trip Foley immediately began organizing the project.
The Women's Resource Center, Department of Gender Studies, Student Activities Office, A Life Uncommon, RecSports and Lewis Hall are co-sponsors of the events.
A competition between residence halls to create banners observing co-education will begin this weekend. A panel will judge the banners Tuesday and announce a winner at an Oct. 11 pep rally.
All News Stories for Friday, October 4, 2002
