ADMISSION OF WOMEN TO UNIVERSITIES

OPINION AT OXFORD

FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. OXFORD, THURSDAY.

The official announcement that the University of Oxford had taken the opinion of eminent counsel as to the proposed admission of women to membership of the university and to degrees in the university has been the subject of much discussion today. At this early period of the term the heads of colleges are extremely busy, and an attempt to obtain information and views in influential quarters presented real difficulties. In spite of the many calls upon his time, the president of Magdalen (Sir Herbert Warren, K.G.V.O.) very courteously received me, and made the following statement:

“It should be understood that what the university is being asked to consider on Tuesday, Nov. 4, is not in terms whether it will or will not promote the admission of women to degrees, but only wishes to have it made quite dear whether it has or has not the power to confer degrees on women should it at any time desire to do so. The decree to be proposed is to the effect that the burgesses of the university be requested to promote such Parliamentary legislation as may be necessary in order to ensure that the university has power to provide, if it shall think fit, by means of a statute made by itself, for the matriculation of women and their admission to degrees and to other rights and privileges of the university.’

“Those who vote in favour of this decree are not necessarily committed to use the power should it be obtained, and it is probable that some may vote for it who have not made up their minds to use it. The opinion of learned counsel was that the university has the power, but, as there is a possible doubt, they recommend resort to legislation to clear up the question. I myself am not one of those who hesitate to be committed, for I have felt clearly for many years that women ought to be admitted to enjoy the degrees and privileges and status in the university side by side with men. The time seems to me more ripe and opportune than ever for granting this, and I myself should desire to see the conferment carried out by the University of Oxford itself of its own notion in a careful and considerate manner, but without delay.”

The Master of University College (Dr. R. W. Macan) said: “The university, having not merely admitted women to its examinations, but having recognised their residence in Oxford and made provision for their instruction and discipline. I think the admission of women to degrees on the same terms as men is both inevitable and just. I should like to add just this remark – the membership of women in the university will also serve a good purpose in marking the distinction between the general university interests and particular collegiate organisation.”

The Warden of Wadham (Mr. Joseph Wells) said: “I supported degrees for women twenty-five years ago, the last time the question come up, and will support it again.”

ACTION AT CAMBRIDGE

FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. CAMBRIDGE, THURSDAY.

The movement at Oxford and the publication of the opinion of counsel on the subject of admission of women to membership of the university was the topic of conversation amongst the members of the Senate at Cambridge today, and various opinions were expressed.

The matter has been kept more or less prominently before the Senate at Cambridge, and only recently the council of the Senate issued a report to the effect that they had had before them two memorials concerning the relation of women students to the university. One of these memorials advocated that women should be admitted to full membership of the university; the other asks that in connection with the conferment of degrees on women the consideration will not be limited to the measures necessary to effect their admission to full membership, but will include other solutions, and, in particular, the advisability of the women’s colleges in Cambridge obtaining power under charter to confer degrees on women students. The council of the Senate have taken into consideration these two memorials, and the following grace will be submitted to the Senate for discussion on Thursday next: “That a syndicate be appointed to consider whether women students should be admitted to membership of the university, and, if so, with what limitations, if any, and, alternatively, to consider, if women students are not admitted to membership, by what means the university could co-operate with the women’s colleges or other bodies in the conferment of degrees on women students, and that the syndicate report on both those terms of reference before the end of the Easter term, 1920.”