PEC Update, April 15, 2007

Like many others you may have followed the editorials and opinion pieces carried in the media this week about continuing sexism in America, sparked by the so-called "Imus incident." This renewed look at gender issues provides an interesting context for the fight to preserve Randolph-Macon Woman's College. During our discussions with supporters of "Randolph College" some have argued that all women's colleges are unnecessary because there is no longer any inequality between the sexes. Others we have spoken with acknowledge that disparities exist, but insist that women's colleges act as "sanctuaries" and unrealistic havens for young women - that young women only learn how to compete and succeed in the coeducational world through coeducational collegiate experiences. Thus they argue that a coeducational Randolph College will better prepare female students for the "real world" than R-MWC ever could.

At PEC we continue to believe that women's colleges have a place in modern society. We don't see a single-sex environment as keeping young women from competing or somehow protecting them from the "real world." Rather, women's colleges provide a challenging environment for young women that helps build character and skills while preparing graduates to give their best to the world and expect the same in return (and stand up and fight for it if they don't receive it!) Spending the critical first years away from home in a place that is solely dedicated to the success and well-being of women doesn't "shelter" them from reality – it builds strong leaders able to weather the continuing gender disparities in American society and demand change. It also prepares women for strong, active lives of service to their communities, families, and nations.

It may not be easy to operate a woman's college today, but there is still a need for the rigorous learning environment, fine liberal arts education, and sisterhood that R-MWC can provide. We are not advocating that R-MWC be an institution preserved in amber, a dated relic of the 20th century – but we know that there is room in the American collegiate landscape for a singular college for singular women – if we only give that college a chance to survive and evolve to serve today's young women.

A little more than one month into our matching gift program we have secured 84 gifts totaling $20,980. While this is great progress, there is still an additional $79,020 that we need to raise to fully realize the generosity of our matching donor. Please join us today in fighting to save our alma mater and preserve an institution that takes in young women with the boundless potential of youth and graduates strong women leaders, confident to take their place in the coeducational world. Donations can be made via PayPal through our website or by sending a check made out to "Preserve Educational Choice" to:

Preserve Educational Choice, Inc.
P.O. Box 29612
Richmond, VA 23242

Legal Update

On April 5 the Notice of Appeal was filed for the charitable trust lawsuit. Both lawsuits are now officially in appeal. We will keep you apprised of their progress.

We are pleased to announce that Chantel Sheaks (R-MWC '91, Northeastern University School of Law '96) has rejoined the PEC Board. An attorney in Washington, DC, Chantel will assist with oversight of the lawsuits during the appeal process.

Website Update

We have retired our "carrot or stick" campaign and updated our website to reflect this change. As always you can find the latest information about our activities on our homepage www.PreserveEducationalChoice.org.

Faculty Letter

On April 5 PEC received a letter from some faculty members of R-MWC (professors, athletic staff, librarians, and others) asking us to cease operations. This letter can be found on the college's website. Our response to the letter was sent to the faculty on April 5 and posted on our website. We have tried to meet with the faculty on more than one occasion to present our research and concerns about the strategic plan. We fear that while the faculty asks their students to critically examine arguments and evidence for the classroom, the faculty is unwilling to do the same when it comes to the strategic plan. We have requested a meeting with the people who signed the letter. We will let you know when we receive a response to our request.

Meeting with Trustees

Next Sunday, April 22, PEC Board members will meet in Washington, DC with some trustees of R-MWC. The purpose of the meeting is to attempt to bridge the communications gap between the Board of Trustees and opponents of the strategic plan and to ensure that our point of view is clearly understood. We will let you know the outcome of this meeting next week.

Thank you for your continued support of Randolph-Macon Woman's College and PEC.

Vita abundantior,

PEC Board

Gail Ballou (R-MWC '64)
Carol Curcio Lang (R-MWC '68)
Diane U. Montgomery (R-MWC '85)
Anne Yastremski (R-MWC '05)
Martha McClerkin Durnett (R-MWC '85)
Chantel Sheaks (R-MWC '91)

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