Seoul, South Korea – Dongduk Women's University has been rocked by protests as students vehemently oppose the administration's proposal to convert the institution into a co-educational university. The campus has become a scene of student demonstrations, with hundreds of students' jackets, representing various departments, spread across the ground in a symbolic show of unity against the proposed change.

The students' opposition has been evident in various ways. Over 80 wreaths have been placed at the school's entrance, and red banners with slogans such as "We will perish before we open" and "You are born at a women's university to change the world" have been hung on the gates. The statue of the university's founder, Jo Dong-sik, has been defaced with paint and eggs.

The protests began after rumors circulated on campus about the potential co-ed conversion. Students have been staging sit-ins and rallies, expressing their unwavering belief in preserving the university's identity as a women's institution.

"Dongduk's identity is as a women's university," said a 21-year-old student. "I couldn't believe it when I first heard the news, but after doing some research, I realized it was true."

Another student emphasized the importance of maintaining a women-only space. "I came to Dongduk because it's a women's university. We're just trying to protect the institution that women have built," she said.

A third student argued that co-educational environments can be limiting for women, especially in fields like engineering where feminism is studied. "Even though there are female engineering students who study feminism, they don't feel as free in a co-ed environment. They feel intimidated by the male voices," she explained.

The student unions of Gwangju Women's University and Dukseong Women's University have expressed solidarity with Dongduk, issuing statements in support of their cause. A student from Dukseong Women's University, who was visiting the Dongduk campus, said, "If one women's university falls, it becomes easier for others to follow suit. Our university also faced a similar proposal last year, but we managed to stop it due to strong student opposition."

School Administration's Stance

The university administration has defended the proposal, stating that it is merely an idea to enhance the school's competitiveness. A university official explained, "We believe that co-education is the best way to nurture the talent needed by society. For example, even in departments like dance, where our students are all female, the professional world is co-ed. Students would have more opportunities to compete in a co-educational environment."

The official also mentioned the possibility of establishing a school of engineering to attract male students. "As the number of college-bound students decreases, we need to expand our student pool to ensure the university's sustainability," the official said.

Historical Context

Sangmyung University, which was once an all-women's institution, transitioned to a co-educational university in 1996. Currently, there are seven women's universities remaining in South Korea, including Ewha Womans University and Sookmyung Women's University.

The ongoing controversy at Dongduk Women's University highlights the challenges faced by women's universities in an increasingly competitive higher education landscape. It also raises questions about the value of single-sex education and the role of women's universities in modern society.

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