Radio Smart Talk: Wilson College’s decision to go coed; PA Home Show

Radio Smart Talk for Tuesday, March 5:

Wilson College in Chambersburg was established in 1869 to provide a liberal arts education to women. With the exception of men over the age of 22 who commuted to classes, its been that way since.

That was until last January when Wilson’s Board of Trustees voted to admit male students as commuters this fall and as fulltime students who could live on campus in 2014.

The move was made to increase Wilson’s enrollment, which hovers around 700 students. The Board also decided to reduce tuition rates to boost the number of students attending the school. It may sound counterintuitive, but more students would translate into more revenue. Wilson has $31 million in debt and needs another $10 million in maintenance.

The decision to go coed was not received well by some alumnae who thought it was made too quickly and without enough input from Wilson graduates.

Wilson president Dr. Barbara Mistick will appear on Tuesday’s program to disuss the move.

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