30 YEARS OF COEDUCATION: A symbiotic relationship

This story is part of a special issue examining the Barnard-Columbia relationship, 30 years after Columbia Columbia decided to go coed and Barnard decided not to merge with Columbia. Check out the rest of the issue here.

In 1982 Columbia College finalized its decision to admit women. The idea of coeducation was not a progressive one within the Ivy League system, nor was Columbia College the first school within the University to go coed—SEAS and GS both went coed before CC did.

When you think about it, the real progressive in establishing a culture of coeducation at Columbia University was Frederick Barnard. Barnard, the 10th President of the University, saw the founding of Barnard College during his tenure and brought it into the Columbia community. A true visionary, he firmly believed that women could be successful in a rigorous academic setting, and that they deserved the same educational opportunities as men. Since its inception, Barnard College has distinguished itself from its initial identity as the women’s college of Columbia to become an institution that is recognized and commended for providing its students with an abundance of diverse and unique resources and opportunities.

As a Barnard student, I am constantly reminded of the benefits of being associated with the greater University by my friends in Columbia College. They often cite the prominence of a large research university, access to a greater variety of language courses, and an increase in campus space as examples of the incredible resources to which I have access. But it is also worth noting that the relationship between Barnard College and Columbia University benefits students on both sides of Broadway. Barnard offers Columbia students classes with a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio and the opportunity to take classes in renowned architecture, dance, and human rights departments.

While the Barnard-Columbia consortium clearly benefits both student bodies, we unfortunately have a culture of constant commentary on the Barnard-Columbia relationship and the “inferiority of Barnard students.” I believe this demonstrates a failure to understand the full benefits of attending a University with a storied tradition of coeducation and I worry that students are missing meaningful opportunities because they limit themselves by perpetuating untrue stereotypes.

To all CC, SEAS, and GS students: You may not have chosen Columbia knowing that there was an all-women’s institution across the street (or you may have chosen Columbia knowing just that) but for most of you, Barnard has contributed to your college experience in some way. Whether you took a class or majored in one of the departments offered only at Barnard, attended an interesting lecture or unique cultural event, or got Tupperware containers full of free food from the Spirit Day BBQs and Midnight Breakfasts, Barnard offers a whole range of ways to enhance your campus life. Rather than devaluing our relationship with a petty comment on Spectator, Spectrum, or Bwog, why not highlight the benefits of having access to the Barnard campus and community?

And to my fellow Barnard students: Be proud of the amazing college you attend. Yes, there are some incredibly frustrating days. The ones where a professor gives you a bad grade, the line for coffee at Liz’s Place takes an hour, and every printer on campus seems to be broken five minutes before a paper is due. But not a single week of the past four years has gone by where Barnard has not offered me an incredible opportunity. Take advantage of the opportunities you have as a Barnard student. No college campus is perfect, but, coming in at number five on the list of colleges with the best quality of life, according to the Princeton Review, ours comes pretty close.

The author is a Barnard College senior majoring in political science. She is president of the Barnard Student Government Association.