Catholic all-women’s school now accepting men
On November 21, a groundbreaking announcement was made by the student newspaper serving Saint Mary’s College and the University of Notre Dame. Saint Mary’s, a Catholic women’s college founded in 1844, will now consider admission for applicants “whose sex is female or who consistently live and identify as women.” This decision marks a significant shift for the college, which had proudly maintained its single-sex identity for decades.
The article reveals that the board of trustees voted on this policy change during their June 23 meeting. Interestingly, the announcement was sent out after business hours on November 21, just two days before Thanksgiving when most of the campus would have already left for the holiday. It’s worth noting that this news comes shortly after the fall phone-a-thon campaign and the final Notre Dame football game, both of which attract a large number of alumnae to South Bend.
Unsurprisingly, the decision faced immediate backlash from alumnae. The college’s social media posts were flooded with comments from angry students, parents, and alumnae, prompting the disabling of commenting and the disappearance of a Change.org petition that had been gaining traction. It seems that the college is now shying away from free inquiry, scientific facts, and the teachings of the church regarding gender.
In February 2022, I wrote an article predicting the future of my alma mater, Saint Mary’s College. I foresaw two possibilities: either the college would rebrand itself as a “College for People with Uteruses,” or it would open admission to anyone claiming to be a woman, regardless of biology. Sadly, my prediction has come true, and it breaks my heart. The class ring that once symbolized my cherished memories now fills me with sorrow. The institution that taught me to seek truth and uphold objectivity has turned its back on reality.
The Role of the College President
In 1986, there were 107 women’s colleges in the United States. Today, there are fewer than 30, and most of them have adopted transgender policies that essentially make them coeducational. It is disheartening to witness secular institutions, such as Smith, Wellesley, and Agnes Scott, admit mentally ill men who identify as women. However, it is even more gut-wrenching to see a Roman Catholic institution, sponsored by religious sisters, follow suit.
Saint Mary’s College President Katie Conboy justified the decision by stating that the college is not the first Catholic women’s college to adopt such a policy. She pointed to Minnesota’s College of Saint Benedict as an example. However, instead of standing as a leader in higher education and boldly proclaiming the truth about gender, Conboy has chosen to follow the path of others. She cited Pope Francis’ call for love and inclusivity as the driving force behind the decision, but she seems to have overlooked the Pope’s warning about the dangers of gender ideology and its blurring of distinctions between men and women.
The Catholic intellectual tradition emphasizes the use of transcendentals, such as truth, goodness, and beauty, to evaluate subjects. These timeless attributes reflect the divine origin of creation and the unity of truth and reality in God. They are intrinsic to our nature and common humanity, transcending divisions based on sex, race, or socioeconomic class. Unfortunately, these transcendentals are despised by leftists. Gender ideology, which contradicts reality, stands in direct opposition to the pursuit of truth. Those who dare to challenge it are labeled as bigots.
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What are the concerns raised by the timing and manner of the announcement regarding transparency and accountability at Saint Mary’s College?
Stitutions, such as Saint Mary’s College, succumbing to societal pressures and abandoning their foundational principles.
The decision to admit applicants based on their self-identification as women, rather than their biological sex, is a departure from the long-standing tradition of single-sex education at Saint Mary’s. This change, approved by the board of trustees, signifies a significant shift in the college’s identity and mission.
However, the timing and manner of the announcement raise questions about transparency and accountability. The decision was quietly made during a meeting in June, and the news was released just before a major holiday when most of the campus community had already left. This raises concerns about whether the college intentionally tried to minimize public scrutiny and opposition.
Unsurprisingly, the decision faced immediate backlash from alumnae who cherished the college’s original mission. Social media channels were inundated with comments from angry students, parents, and alumnae, leading to the disabling of comments on official posts and the disappearance of a Change.org petition that had gained momentum. This reaction indicates that the college may have inadvertently silenced dissenting voices and avoided engaging in open dialogue.
As an alumna of Saint Mary’s College, I am disheartened by the direction the institution has taken. In a previous article, I predicted two possible scenarios for the future of my alma mater: rebranding as a “College for People with Uteruses” or opening admission to anyone claiming to be a woman, regardless of biology. Unfortunately, my prediction has now become a reality, and it deeply saddens me.
The cherished memories encapsulated in the class ring I once proudly wore now fill me with sorrow. The institution that once taught me to pursue truth and uphold objectivity has seemingly turned its back on reality. By disregarding scientific facts and the teachings of the church regarding gender, the college is undermining its commitment to fostering intellectual rigor and critical thinking.
This raises broader concerns about the state of women’s colleges in the United States. Throughout the years, women’s colleges have experienced dwindling numbers, with fewer than 30 remaining today. Many of these institutions have chosen to adopt transgender policies that blur the distinction between male and female, effectively making them coeducational. This trend is distressing for those who believe in the unique benefits provided by single-sex education.
While it is crucial to foster inclusivity and provide educational opportunities to individuals of diverse backgrounds, it is equally important to preserve the distinct advantages offered by single-sex institutions. Women’s colleges have historically empowered women academically, socially, and professionally, providing spaces where they can develop leadership skills, forge lifelong connections, and combat gender inequities. By diluting their unique identity, these colleges risk losing the very essence that has made them transformative spaces for women.
In conclusion, the recent decision by Saint Mary’s College to admit applicants based on self-identification as women represents a significant departure from its single-sex tradition. The timing and manner of the announcement raise concerns about transparency and engagement with dissenting voices. As an alumna, I am saddened by this turn of events and worry about the erosion of women’s colleges as a whole. It is crucial that we continue to value and support these institutions, recognizing the enduring importance of single-sex education in empowering women and shaping future generations.
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