As a proud graduate of Converse College I was shocked to hear that there are plans in the near future to drastically change our beloved school. These proposed changes are to have a co-ed campus AND to change the name of the school to Converse University (see link below for letter from the current President). This will change our college forever. Converse has always been an empowering, safe, and amazing place for women to receive their education. It is not just a college but a sisterhood that is rich with traditions. Allowing men to attend our undergraduate programs would change all of the traditions for future generations. This would also drastically affect current students who chose Converse because they desired to be a part of a single gender college. It is my understanding that Converse is facing tremendous financial issues and this may be one way to help solve that issue. If you have any productive ideas of how Converse can improve financially please include that in a comment when you sign. Let your voice be heard about these proposed changes. Sign the petition below if you disagree with proposed changes of a coed campus and changing the name of the school. This petition will be shared with President Newkirk and the Board of Trustees. Share this with any Connies you know so that we can protect our beloved College.
*PLEASE PUT THE YEAR YOU ATTENDED OR GRADUATED IN THE COMMENTS*
44 Comments
2022 As someone who transferred to Converse because it's women only, I don't want to see a change to coed. It should be the last possible option.
The comments already made are great. I believe a lot of girls get afraid on single gendered schooling so allowing mixers with other schools can help. Without going to a single gendered school you won’t understand how amazing and empowering it is. Offering other majors will also help tremendously! Fixing the things that are broken internally will help. Add more unique options, I believe that allowing dogs on campus was a huge step and we could continue things like this. Class of 2020
Address the retention rate, expand marketing outside of SC, offer more programs (nursing, criminal justice, journalism, communication, etc.), address problems present on campus first (black mold, discrimination, housing shortage, etc.), allow high school women to dual enroll at Converse, allow students to live off campus within a certain mile radius after freshman year for a fee, and do everything we can to preserve the sisterhood here at Converse.
2017 Grad Allow off campus living for students that aren’t able to be commuters, I know that is a big setback that a lot of people fine difficult to deal with. Some people can’t afford to live on campus but want to attend the school. It would not only be good for the college but for the community. Increase the amount of online classes, and increase awareness of the college OUTSIDE of SC and the East coast. I know a lot of the students are athletes and that is a big part of the school but why aren’t we going out west spreading our name, there are 33 other all women’s institutions that are still around, ask them what they are doing or look at their business plan. The money has to be going somewhere I just question where.
Graduated with a BFA in Studio Art. I didn't want to go to an all girl school originally, but after attending, I became more confident as a woman by having the amazing support of a sisterhood that Converse offers. It's be a shame to lose the most important part of the Converse community by making it coed.
Class of 97
Husband of Converse student
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As a proud graduate of Converse College I was shocked to hear that there are plans in the near future to drastically change our beloved school. These proposed changes are to have a co-ed campus AND to change the name of the school to Converse University (see link below for letter from the current President). This will change our college forever. Converse has always been an empowering, safe, and amazing place for women to receive their education. It is not just a college but a sisterhood that is rich with traditions. Allowing men to attend our undergraduate programs would change all of the traditions for future generations. This would also drastically affect current students who chose Converse because they desired to be a part of a single gender college. It is my understanding that Converse is facing tremendous financial issues and this may be one way to help solve that issue. If you have any productive ideas of how Converse can improve financially please include that in a comment when you sign. Let your voice be heard about these proposed changes. Sign the petition below if you disagree with proposed changes of a coed campus and changing the name of the school. This petition will be shared with President Newkirk and the Board of Trustees. Share this with any Connies you know so that we can protect our beloved College.
*PLEASE PUT THE YEAR YOU ATTENDED OR GRADUATED IN THE COMMENTS*
44 Comments
My fiancee attended Converse and has always spoken highly of the positive experience she had. The fact the Converse was an all-women's college was very important to her. It was one of the reasons she chose Converse, and one of her favorite things about the school. The strong women's community at Converse helped her grow into an amazing woman. For Converse to sell-out and go co-ed is a betrayal of everything they stand for.
2022 As someone who transferred to Converse because it's women only, I don't want to see a change to coed. It should be the last possible option.
The comments already made are great. I believe a lot of girls get afraid on single gendered schooling so allowing mixers with other schools can help. Without going to a single gendered school you won’t understand how amazing and empowering it is. Offering other majors will also help tremendously! Fixing the things that are broken internally will help. Add more unique options, I believe that allowing dogs on campus was a huge step and we could continue things like this. Class of 2020
Address the retention rate, expand marketing outside of SC, offer more programs (nursing, criminal justice, journalism, communication, etc.), address problems present on campus first (black mold, discrimination, housing shortage, etc.), allow high school women to dual enroll at Converse, allow students to live off campus within a certain mile radius after freshman year for a fee, and do everything we can to preserve the sisterhood here at Converse.
2017 Grad Allow off campus living for students that aren’t able to be commuters, I know that is a big setback that a lot of people fine difficult to deal with. Some people can’t afford to live on campus but want to attend the school. It would not only be good for the college but for the community. Increase the amount of online classes, and increase awareness of the college OUTSIDE of SC and the East coast. I know a lot of the students are athletes and that is a big part of the school but why aren’t we going out west spreading our name, there are 33 other all women’s institutions that are still around, ask them what they are doing or look at their business plan. The money has to be going somewhere I just question where.
Graduated with a BFA in Studio Art. I didn't want to go to an all girl school originally, but after attending, I became more confident as a woman by having the amazing support of a sisterhood that Converse offers. It's be a shame to lose the most important part of the Converse community by making it coed.
Class of 97
Husband of Converse student
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My fiancee attended Converse and has always spoken highly of the positive experience she had. The fact the Converse was an all-women's college was very important to her. It was one of the reasons she chose Converse, and one of her favorite things about the school. The strong women's community at Converse helped her grow into an amazing woman. For Converse to sell-out and go co-ed is a betrayal of everything they stand for.