This Week In Amherst History
By Rocío Digón, Managing Features Editor
Thirty-one years ago this week, the College "plunged headlong into coeducation." Women were worried about both the academic and social aspects of campus life.

The greatest concern for the females on campus was the potential rivalry with the women from Smith. One female freshman reported that there was "a bit of animosity already developing between Smith and Amherst women. I'm getting a feeling that Amherst men will regard Smith women more as sex objects than Amherst women," she continued.

The competition between Amherst females and Five College females had already begun. The conflict was due to the "negative" preconceptions of women who attended the other schools in the area, according to The Student.

Equally notorious among Amherst females were Amherst males. "Before I came to Amherst, a friend of mine who goes to Mount Holyoke warned me that all the guys at Amherst are animals," said one female student. "She really had me terrified."

Issue 01, Submitted 2001-09-15 13:07:49
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