In the history of Japanese education, the "gender characteristics theory" that men and women naturally have different characteristics rejected not only the "gender equality theory" which came from Western Europe in the early Meiji era, but also the traditional "male chauvinism" of East Asia. According to the theory of…

This paper examines the impacts of co-residence (admitting women to men's colleges and men to women's colleges) at the University of Oxford beginning in the 1970s. Co-residence increased the representation of women undergraduates at Oxford to near parity with men; the representation of women in academic positions rose but not as substantially as…

The function of the first women's colleges in the USA is singled out. They expanded opportunities for women to get higher level of education, taking into account the fact that at that time women were not allowed to enter higher education establishments on equal footing with men. Some structural peculiarities of the first women's colleges are…

Diversity has been a focus of higher education policy, law, and scholarship for decades, continually expanding to include not only race, ethnicity and gender, but also socioeconomic status, sexual and political orientation, and more. However, existing collections still tend to focus on a narrow definition of diversity in education, or in relation…

No matter what social goals or federal laws exist, it will be a long time before the informal social environment in America's male-dominated colleges and universities will serve women students as well as men, suggests the president of Smith College. Until then "for women only" institutions are needed. (Author/LBH)

The executive director of the Women's College Coalition examines the role of women's colleges and explains how they may serve as models in issues of educational equity for coeducational institutions today. The employment of women, encouragement of nontraditional studies, response to women's needs, and recognition of priorities are discussed.…

Three recent books ("In the Company of Women,""Alma Mater," and "Women in College") focus on very different but interrelated topics: the general history of women in higher education in America, the history of women's colleges, and the shaping of women's identities through higher education. (MSE)

This collection of essays describes women's ongoing search for equity at Brown University, Rhode Island, since their first entrance there in 1891. After a preface by Joan W. Scott and an introduction by Polly Welts Kaufman, the volume contains the following 10 essays: "The Woman's Club Movement Creates and Defines the Women's College" by…

Analysis of a panel study of 260 women at 4 colleges (women's college, coordinate of men's college, long-time coeducational college, recently coeducational college) to evaluate why alumnae of women's colleges succeed more than graduates of coeducational colleges. Role models and college activities and their effects on self-esteem are considered.…

A program officer at the Ford Foundation traces her experiences as student and "young trustee" at Vassar, graduate student at Columbia University during the early '70s, and teacher at Staten Island Community College. The challenge of diversity that she encountered in the '70s is seen as still prevalent today. (MLW)

Literature from the late nineteenth century and a case study of Cornell University between 1870 and 1900 are discussed in relation to higher education of women to explore how contemporary theorists and academic administrators dealt with the issues. Theoretical definitions of "equal" opportunities for women in academe shifted from…

A review of current research and literature about women in higher education is presented in this monograph in the context of equality of opportunity. The following areas are addressed: the status of women students, institutional practices that affect the participation of women students, the socialization process, women's studies and women's…

The role of women in higher education during the past two decades is assessed, and dramatic changes are noted. Information for this collaborative work comes from a 4-year study by the Task Force on Women in Higher Education. Five sections have the following titles and subject matter: (1) "Introduction" (historical background and overview…

African American women hold a unique position as members of two groups that have been treated in a peripheral manner by postsecondary education (Moses, 1989). Membership in both marginalized groups often makes African American women invisible in colleges and universities. Given the complex intersection of race and gender, more attention should be…

Developments pertinent to women's rights and women's studies at colleges and universities are reported. The following areas are covered: the status of women's college sports programs and alleged sex discrimination involving college faculty and school organizations; the impact of litigation in promoting equity for women; approaches for handling…