Women Gain Admittance

 The 1963 Battalion issued an article highlighting the Board of Directors decision to admit female students to Texas A&M in what became known as co-education. Discussions over coeducation accelerated in the 1960s, as more institutions began to accept and implement the idea. In the case of Texas A&M the discussions for some became viewed negatively as admitting women would jeopardize the traditional all-white male military school. Pictured below are a group of freshmen who shaved their heads in protest of discussions over co-education, this made the first page of the newspaper. The push backs this discussion received highlights the resistance to gender equality in education.

 Sourced from student Katelyn Attaway

Another article published in the Battalion headline read “Co-Education Opinion Varies Among Corp of Cadets.” While some cadets such as Lee Culver felt it best that women be included for the growth of the university others such as David Lyons expressed that women would “the gradual destruction of A&M's traditions."

This chapter of the university’s history amplifies strong leadership. Despite the retaliations that the coeducation talks received President Rudder stood up against the discrimination and backlash the decision received. This provides a window into the broader societal movements toward gender inclusion.

Sourced from students Alex Cruz & Jessalyn Schuelke