Gender at Bryn Mawr College: A Proposal

Extending the Contact Zone: Gender at BMC:

Project Proposal

By Akane Hirose and Amaka Eze

 

Akane and I propose to address the topic of gender within the context of Bryn Mawr College. In accordance with our recent studies of the “contact zone,” we now take on Bryn Mawr as our foreground, and begin to examine such an environment through the lens of identity, focusing on gender. Through our collaborative efforts, we plan to collect and synthesize paralleled and complimentary research on our respective domains: Akane will explore the nature of a women’s space, historically, and the importance of such a space within the greater context of academia, whilst I will supplement said research with an exploration of the male role within this institution, and how the male presence itself affects administrative and classroom dynamics. In joint investigation, we will then delve into the ever-progressing topic of transgenderism, and more specifically, how a traditionally mono-gendered institution addresses the issues of inclusivity and transgender identity while still preserving its core missions.

 

Part I: A Women’s Space

1) Why is it a womens’ space?

• Archival research / interview admission officer

• history of women college, founding of BMC

• (men dominant society? demands for women space? women right?)

• why was BMC established as a women college?

• the proportion of race, class of women in BMC

• (how was it at first? how has it changed?)

• how about other women college in US?

• (why they were established as women colleges? for who?)

2) Why is it important to create an intellectual space for women?

• interview admission officer, faculties, current students in BMC

• why did we choose women college?

• what is the merit for women only community?

• why BMC persist on being a women college while other women colleges become co-ed?

• was there any struggle to maintain that policy?

 

Part II: And Men?

Within the context of a historically-homogenous space, what is the role of men? How have men functioned within the space?

• Archival Inquiry
• How many male faculty/administrators were employed at the time of Bryn Mawr College’s founding?
• Faculty: consult Public Information Office

 

• Bi-Co/Tri-Co Relations
• Have men always been able to take classes here?
• Archival research
• Admissions office

 

• How do men feel in Bryn Mawr classes?
• Interviews with Haverford male students who take BMC classes

 

• How do women students feel about men in BMC classes?
• Interviews with BMC women
• Interviews with faculty

 

 

Part III: Transgenderism at BMC

1.)  How does transgenderism affect the gender dynamic at BMC? 

• How do current transgender students feel their gender identity affects the BMC experience
• Interviews with transgender students
• Transgender men

 

• How does one reconcile with the “other” experience of identifying as male in a traditionally-women’s space?
• Transgender women

 

• How has the new initiative affected the admissions process?
• How do cisgender, female students feel about transgender-inclusive initiatives?
• Interviews with cisgender, female students

 

2.)  How can we promote inclusivity whilst preserving the exclusive nature of a women’s college?

• When/where do policies come into play?
• Interviews with Admissions Officers
• Peaches Valdes (Dean of Undergraduate Admissions)
• Possible presidential statement?

 

• Who has the power to policy-make?

 

• Is this still a women’s space?
• Collaborative interviews
• Cisgender and transgender students
• Administrators/faculty/admissions officers