Yale prof. talks on survival of Catholic women's colleges
By MEGAN O'NEIL
News Writer
Yale professor and author Cynthia Eagle Russet spoke Wednesday at Saint Mary's about the endurance of Catholic women's colleges in the United States. The widely anticipated event was attended by nearly 100 Saint Mary's students and faculty.
Russet, who received her master's and doctorate degrees from Yale University, recently published a book titled "Catholic Women's Colleges in America." Saint Mary's is mentioned several times in it.
The product of a Catholic women's college herself, Russet described her alma mater Trinity College in Washington, D.C. as homogenous. The nearly all white, all Catholic school was located in a heavily black community.
"It was an enclave in its midst," said Russet about Trinity in the city.
Small Catholic women's colleges were common in the early and mid 20th century. They could count on a consistent flow of middle and upper class white students through their liberal arts programs. However, this all changed and Russet cited the late 1960's as the turning point for such schools.
As the number of religious faculty and staff dropped in the late '60s, already under-funded schools were forced to hire and pay lay people.
"College after college found themselves running into the red in the late '60s," said. Russet.
Conflicts between the religious communities that founded the schools and lay board of trustees members also placed a strain on the institutions.
Furthermore, with coeducation spreading to most American colleges and universities, Catholic women's colleges could no longer expect the attendance of students previously guaranteed.
Financial crises and plunging enrollment forced many colleges to merge with other colleges, become coeducational, or simply close.
"Schools were forced to come up with creative plans to adapt," Russet said.
Some of colleges that Russet identified, made changes that were quite drastic. One such example is Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisc. which developed its own unique curriculum. Others, such as Mount Saint Mary's of Los Angeles and her own Trinity College, made the choice to reach out to minority students, particularly blacks and Hispanics.
"Every one of the Catholic women's colleges that remain has found their own particular niche," Russet said. "All have recognized that adaptation was the key."
Trinity College has also introduced a graduate program, with MBAs offered in education and professional studies.
"These programs have returned fiscal stability to Trinity," Russet said.
Not to say that it was easy. Fears have been raised that in their efforts to survive these institutions are loosing their Catholic identity, as well as their liberal arts focus.
"There are many alumni at Trinity who are deeply unhappy with the direction Trinity has taken," said Russet. "And it is very much class-based."
She believes, however, that although the Catholic women's colleges of today may not at all resemble the one she attended in the 1950's, they continue to be dedicated to educating and empowering women.
A panel discussion, made up of Russet and Saint Mary's faculty, will be held at noon today in Stapleton Lounge. Discussion will continue on Catholic women's education and its future.
All News Stories for Thursday, March 20, 2003
