Information gathered and compiled
By the Women's Center Board Officers
2002-2003
Whitney Riddell (C '03)- Director of Women's Center Board
Emily Ochsenschlager (C'03)- Director of Bairnwick
Keely Davison (C'04)- Co-Special Events Coordinator
Lauren Taylor (C' 05) - Co-Special Events Coordinator
Eliza Colson (C'03)- Co-Public Relations Coordinator
Hayley Shelton (C'04)- Co-Public Relations Coordinator
Candace Ifabiyi (C'03) - Conference on Women Co-Chair
Liz Stringer (C'03)_- Conference on Women Co-Chair
Petya Kirilova (C'03)- Activism Coordinator
Mary Quin Matteson (C'03)- Student Activities Coordinator

Student Body Statistics:

Enrollment:
Continuing Students: Men: 424 Women: 475 Total: 899
Transfer Students: Men: 6 Women: 8 Total: 14
New Freshmen: Men: 170 Women: 185 Total: 355
Non-degree seeking:Men: 7Women:10 Total: 17
Total Full-Time Enrollment: Men: 607 Women: 678 Total: 1285
Unclassified Students (Part-time): Men: 10 Women:10 Total: 20
European Studies Students (Off-Campus): Men: 8 Women: 16 Total:24
Total Enrollment:Men: 625 Women: 704 Total: 1329

Classification:
Seniors: m:123 w: 154 total:277
Juniors: m: 124 w:140 total:264
Sophomores: m:188 w: 204 total: 392
Freshmen: m:174 w:186 t:360
Total Full-Time Enrollment: m:609 w:684 total: 1293
Unclassified Students (Non-degree Seeking): m:16 w: 20 total:36
Total Enrollment: m: 625 w: 704 t: 1293

International Students:
Total Enrollment: 30
Countries Represented 17

Each year arrangements are made to match international students with host families in the Sewanee area. Although most international students participate in a wide range of organizations, special clubs like the Organization for Cross Cultural Understanding (OCCU) sponsor social and educational events relevant to international issues. International students are also asked to share their views on world events during regular faculty/student discussions.

Student Programs of the Minority Student Affairs Office:

The Faculty-Mentor Program
The Faculty-Mentor Program makes a valuable contribution to the intellectual and social experience of the student participants. Administered jointly by the Office of the Dean of Students and the Office of Minority Affairs, we have designed the program to complement our existing advising system. Each student participant is paired with a faculty member. During the year they may take part in a wide array of activities, from dinner in a faculty home to attending a concert in a near-by city. The relationships that develop add meaning to the lives of the students and faculty both in and outside of the classroom. As a result of the program, students make a faster and more meaningful adjustment to college and have the opportunity to learn informally about academic life as seen by a member of the College Faculty. Faculty participants in the Program give students both support and encouragement.

Minority Orientation Program
Minority students in the College have the opportunity to participate in a special orientation retreat. The purpose of the retreat is to address those issues of concern to students of color that may not be addressed in the traditional orientation program. Students are able also to discuss issues ranging from time management to "where should I go to have my hair done?" Sessions such as these are ideal for upper-class students to share the knowledge they have gained previously and to answer questions for new students.

Multi-Cultural Perspective Weekend
Visiting Sewanee is important for prospective students. Exposure to our academic community and its many offerings has proven beneficial. During our special weekend, students visit for three days in February. While on campus, they have the opportunity to attend class, meet and talk with professors, Directors of Programs, Departments such as 3/2 Engineering and Financial Aid, attend a dinner with faculty, and take part in a variety of social events. A majority of the minority students who enroll in the College have taken part in our Multi-Cultural Prospectives Weekend. For more information about application materials and the Weekend, contact the Office of Admissions.

Women's Studies Concentration

The Women's Studies Concentration at the University of the South is an interdisciplinary concentration that allows students to study gender as a essential type of analysis. The roles and contributions of women, as well as the significance in the areas of social and natural science, arts, and literature, and religion are the main points of focus within the concentration. There are six required classes to complete the concentration, of which two are required (Introduction to Women's Studies and Women's Studies Seminar) and the other four are cross-listed from other departments. The Women's Studies Concentration is not a minor because of the interdisciplinary and interdepartmental structure.

Sorority Life At Sewanee

Social life is an important part of Sewanee life, and many students would argue that sororities and fraternities contribute greatly to this aspect of student life. There are seven local sororities on campus and this year will mark the first year that one national sorority, Kappa Delta, will begin its colonization period. The first sorority, Theta Kappa Phi, was founded in 1977, eight years after women students were first admitted to the University. Two more followed in 1979 (Alpha Delta Theta and Theta Pi), one in 1980 (Phi Kappa Epsilon), one in 1987(Alpha Tau Zeta), and finally two in 1999 (Kappa Omega and Phi Sigma Theta). The membership of these sororities ranges from 5 to 111. Dues range from $125 a semester to $230 a semester. (This is about half of what men in fraternities pay.)
The sororities are governed by a body known as the ISC or Inter Sorority Council. This council is comprised of the presidents and 2 members of each sorority. The council is headed by a president, vice president (in charge of rush) and a secretary/treasurer. Each of these positions is elected by the aforementioned representatives towards the end of the second semester of the school year. Eric Hartman, Dean of Students- Student Activities, serves as the faculty representative and is present at all meetings of the ISC. The ISC serves not only as a forum for sorority leaders to discuss service projects, social events and the occaisional problem, but if a sorority violates rush rules or falls into trouble with the administration it serves as a judicial board and determines what sanctions 9if any) should be applied.
Unlike fraternities, sororities do not have their own houses. There are three houses shared by sororities on campus and members of sororities can elect to live in these houses for a year. In general greek women rely on the fraternities for party space, however occaisionally the Bairnwick Mary Sue Cushman room is used for formals, cocktail parties and other formal and semi-formal events.
The increased demand for a place of their own brought alumnae representatives together from the sororities to discuss with the administration the possibility of houses for those sororities interested. Sororities responded to the initial meetings of the Council of Sorority Alumnae Leaders by raising dues in anticipation of maintaining and potentially owning their own houses. Talk of houses for sororities has been posponed in the past year as the debate over the new national sorority has dominated much of the Council of Sorority Alumnae Leaders as well as the ISC meeting times.
This year the presidents of all greek organizations attended a Greek Leadership Retreat. The ISC along with its brother organization the IFC (Inter Fraternity Council) have decided to stress the importance of the roles of fraternities and sororities within the Sewanee community. This year the greek system has committed to raising $15,000 for a local charity as well as encouraging their members to participate in local service projects to facilitate bonding amongst members and bonding with the community.
Each year at Homecoming, the ISC rewards sororities who have achieved a certain level of excellence in three different areas. An award is given to the sorority with the most outstanding community service record, the most outstanding academic record and finally an award is given to the sorority that is essentially the "best all around" sorority. The achievements of each sorority are determined by the matching of certain criteria contained in their annual reports to th Dean of Students.

Women's Organizations in Sewanee-

The Fortnightly Club
-began in 1903 and is about to celebrate it's 100th year
-founded by Mrs. William Haskell DuBose
-it is the female counterpart to the EQB club
-give money to charities
-have meetings where papers are read, there are speakers, and
discussions
(information from documents from the Fortnightly club: programs)

Sewanee Women's Club
-began in 1930
-objective: "to promote study and discussion groups with the cooperation of members for the welfare of the whole community" -Martha Dugan's speech at the 50th anniversary celebration
-the Sewanee Garden Club is an offshoot of this club

The United Daughters of the Confederacy
-did not find information on this club

American Association of University Women
-believe it began in 1973 but was unable to find much information
University Professional Women
-Purpose: "to enhance our professional image and to promote our personal and professional development"
-goals: self awareness, self improvement, self confidence
-network of support
-began after a seminar called "Women in Management" (this was the inspiration)
(information from University Professional Women documents)

NOW (National Organization for Women)
-1981 it was regenerated and organized by students, faculty, and community members (unsure how active it is today or if it is still in existence)
-they had newsletters with articles entitled: "Thoughts on Party Weekend", "Should I join a sorority"; some dealing with the Equal Rights Amendment, sexual harassment, and abortion
-helped with the women's conference (possibly the 1st one in 1995?)
(information from local NOW documents and newsletters)

Other facts

-St. Andrews had an art show of female artists in 1987

-1969 Women were admitted

-1920 summer school: five women enrolled, not considered candidates for degrees

-the first female valedictorian was Linda C. Mayes from Franklin County High school. She was valedictorian in 1973: "in the first class in which a woman was eligible for the honor"

Events at Bairnwick Women's Center

The Women's Center has hosted many interesting, educational and fun events for students. Offerings include speakers, workshops, student/ faculty panels, fundraisers, movies, luncheons, and the annual Sewanee Conference on Women. A variety of events have taken place from a panel discussion on Women and Islam to cooking classes to a self-defense presentation and a Sex and the City Movie marathon. Workshops have included Tai Chi, breast cancer awareness, and financial planning for women. The Pinnacle Luncheon series brings in speakers, often from Sewanee's faculty and students, to speak on topics such as study abroad, career opportunities for Sewanee women after graduation, the economic status of women in Tennessee, and books and research done by Sewanee professors. The Women's Center has fundraised for Race for the Cure by sponsoring a spaghetti dinner and gathered toiletries for local women's shelters. Events planned for the 2002-2003 year include a book club, women only caving and hiking with the Sewanee Outing Program, a remembrance of women affected by September 11 and much, much more.

Title 9 and the Effects it has at Sewanee

Title 9 is a piece of legislation established in 1972 that bans sexual discrimination in schools, in both academics and athletics. As a result, women have become much more active in athletic teams and in social organizations. Before title 9 was created, 1 in 27 high school girls participated in sports. In 1994, 1 in over 2.5 girls participated in sports. This legislation also changed the role women play in the work force. Before title 9, women received 9% of medical degrees in the United States. In 1994 that number jumped to 38%.
At Sewanee title 9 is very relevant and affects both men and women students everyday. There are 11 women's varsity teams and 10 men's varsity teams. Title 9 states that all benefits, operations and treatments must be equivalent, but not necessarily identical. All athletic teams at Sewanee have funding that permits assistant coaches, quality equipment and accommodations. As a result, participation in both varsity and intramural teams is high.

Women's Health

1. Women in Sewanee were not able to begin birth control pills prescribed to them by the University Health Center until 1991. Preexisting prescriptions could be refilled, but new ones could not be written.
2. Cookies and Condoms is an educational program that Health Services
organizes every year to promote sexual awareness on our campus. Advice and education about STDs, birth control and overall sexual health is available at these sessions.
3. On average, women in Sewanee report one to two cases of sexual assault per semester.
4. Health Services is now able to administer pelvic exams, PAP smears,
breast examinations, as well as birth control pills, condoms and most
recently, the morning after pill.
5. One member of the University Health Services keeps a supply of the
morning after pill at her home on campus, so students can call her home in an emergency. In addition, the pill is available at the greatly reduced
cost of eight dollars to members of the university.
6. HIV tests are free to Sewanee students, thanks to the SAAA (Sewanee AIDS Awareness Activists) organization. Their fundraising results pay for the cost of HIV testing students.
7. On average, Health Services identifies three to five cases of STD
yearly.
8. The University of the South has a specialized Evaluation Team for the
treatment of eating disorders composed of the members of Health Services, Dr. Petrilla, and Dr. Heather Scott of University Counseling Services.**

**I discussed this information with Ann Sitz, RN. Ms. Sitz has been a
member of the University Health staff since 1989 and has seen over a decade
of women and the issues that face them.

[back to top]