Hilda’s MCR vote to stay single-sex
St Hilda’s could stop throwing a lifesaver to those who wish to study in an all-female environment
St Hilda’s MCR continue to fight for their single-sex status with the publication of a new report. In last term’s referendum, graduate members of the MCR voted to retain a female student body with a vote of 81.4%. The MCR President, Claire Lynch, said the results were “a clear indicator of the strength of feeling amongst the graduate body”. Combined with the JCR referendum results the college is opposed to plans for going mixed by 51%.
In response to the referendum results, members of the MCR have compiled a report dubbed “An Alternative St Hilda’s for the 21st Century”. The report discusses the “limited information” provided in the college’s original pamphlet, “St Hilda’s for the 21st Century”, which was published to promote a mixed-sex future.
The new report displays an unwillingness to accept the “negative perceptions of women’s colleges in the community today”, cited by the original Governing Body (GB) pamphlet. The MCR believes the GB has failed to investigate alternative solutions that should be explored before proceeding with a vote that would alter the college so drastically.
The MCR believe the college should concentrate on promoting the positive aspects of an all-female environment and the success of Hilda students both academically and in extra-curricualr commitments. Students are keen to maintain a female lectureship to combat what they perceive as a dominantly male university lectureship. However, in a recent meeting the Principal, Lady English, actively limited the time Lynch had to discuss the new report.
Despite promising a second meeting to discuss the issues raised, the MCR views this as a deliberate act to dodge the report. Lady English said, “There has been no attempt to limit discussion of our strategic agenda with the MCR • on the contrary, there has been an open offer from Fellows to meet with the MCR.
“The MCR report was submitted to the GB at the very end of HT, too late for a response or discussion before the vacation, but we have planned a meeting on the report for 1st Week of this term (TT). No date has been set for a vote by the Governing Body on the statutes.
A press release from the MCR reveals the general consensus that it was “an attempt by the Principal to move the debate out of the governing body, so as not to jeopardise her efforts to push a governing body vote next term”. Lady English is openly in support of a mixed future fot the college. Her contributions to the original GB report and to alumni reports, reveal her firm belief that going mixed is the best potential future for the college.
With a vote by the GB likely to take place in Trinity term, JCR President, Ailbhe Menton says, “I cannot speculate whether or not the JCR referendum, or the MCR one for that matter, will actually influence any of the GB’s votes. I believe that the GB are willing to discuss further with the JCR on the issue. Hopefully, this will negate the need for any protests or demonstrations.
A two-thirds majority is needed in a GB vote to change the statutes and Hilda’s students will continue to show their support for a single sex status. It is hoped that the JCR and MCR will liaise further with the GB in the coming term. “Although our referendum has been held it is not the end of the issue for any of St Hilda’s students,” asserted Menton.
20th Apr 2006