University of Oregon monthly., April 01, 1908, Image 31

34
U n iversity
of
O regon M o n th ly
Pertinent Questions
I n the ‘«College’ Man5/''is s u e of the /Oregon , Weekly’ are -two
items of pregnant interest. ’ One states that in leading eo-educational
universities of the East, the men ignore the women intellectually,
and socially. The other announces that the co-eds otWillamette and
Albany, recently'held a public debate/ and that -Washingt&n-scKeib '
are arranging athletic teams with enthusiasm.- The AYee-kty draws
ho inferences and makes np conclusions, but -to the Oregon Monthly
these two items-offer food, for •'thought.
We put it. to our readers. Is there any connection ^between
these fu6ts ? Why do not men students in Eastern Universities v
recognize their women co-workers? Is it because Eastern mfen are
lower in standard, more degenerate than Western mehUjSfo- one
believes" such an absurdity. Is it then because the women are lower
in standard than our Western w o m e n ^ p ^ ope belieVes^that
either. Yet for the. most part in W ^tern Universities mpn and
women work together for mutual interests, and stand upon equal
footing. ’"As it appears to the ’Oregon Monthly, there is definite
connection between the part women pldy in student body activities;
and’the recognition they' get. Woipen are factory in College life
Ohly in so far as they exert active mental'and'social energy. We
have passed, happily, beyond the, stage wheref women, are placed
upon pedestals and receive praise- for bad work; the theory being
that of the dog who walks upon his hind legs. He dqe& it clumsily,
but we are amazed at his doing it at all. In universities^ w^men
must give an equivalent for what they, get/ For many reasons
Eastern wornem though individually■ efficient,as the men, do not
exert collective force in student body,-activities. They are, there,-
lore, not recognized. Western women as a rule interest,themselves•
in student affairs. They,form intercollegiate debating" te^ms, and
^o in for athletics. They are factors, leader’s in college^ As a je -
•sult the women are fairly treated by the men. It is not a question
of politeness, for unless ia woman ca/n make good, she has no place
in a co-educational college.
"-j What are Oregon women doing to perpetuate the natural re­
lation that ought to- exist in a fresh-blooded Western college?
Are’they exerting a direct' influence in student body affairs? Are
they factors intellectually,’ and politically? • Are they more inters
¿ested in spring clothes than in the coming student election? The