It was a very emotional day at Wilson College. Alumni and students came together but were very upset to hear the news that the private college will be fully co-ed.
The trustees say they had to do this in order to get out of a hole more than $30,000,000 deep.
Around 5:30pm the trustees announced that the womens college would allow men on campus. Men make up about 11% of enrollment now. Alumni at Wilson College say that the solution of going co-ed won't solve the problems that have been going on for years.
Lori Fedorczyk, Wilson College Alumnus:
"Anger , frustration, disgust. I graduated in '94 and I've been back here in last four years and I've seen a lot of the problems that Wilson College currently has and had 20 years ago."
Christina Laws, Wilson College Alumnus:
"I'm angry. This has been a college for women since 1869. We almost closed, and there was a court decision that kept this college open as a woman's college."
In addition to going co-ed, they plan to reduce tuition costs, establish a student loan buyback program, improve buildings and add academic programs.
John Gibb, Chair of Wilson College Board of Trustees:
"We know it's an emotional issue, but looking out and looking at where we were and where we want to go. We just felt that, that was the right decision."
Enrollment for men as commuters will start this fall. Then in 2014 men will be allowed to live on campus.
The trustees say they had to do this in order to get out of a hole more than $30,000,000 deep.
Around 5:30pm the trustees announced that the womens college would allow men on campus. Men make up about 11% of enrollment now. Alumni at Wilson College say that the solution of going co-ed won't solve the problems that have been going on for years.
Lori Fedorczyk, Wilson College Alumnus:
"Anger , frustration, disgust. I graduated in '94 and I've been back here in last four years and I've seen a lot of the problems that Wilson College currently has and had 20 years ago."
Christina Laws, Wilson College Alumnus:
"I'm angry. This has been a college for women since 1869. We almost closed, and there was a court decision that kept this college open as a woman's college."
In addition to going co-ed, they plan to reduce tuition costs, establish a student loan buyback program, improve buildings and add academic programs.
John Gibb, Chair of Wilson College Board of Trustees:
"We know it's an emotional issue, but looking out and looking at where we were and where we want to go. We just felt that, that was the right decision."
Enrollment for men as commuters will start this fall. Then in 2014 men will be allowed to live on campus.