"International Studies Department Should Suspend Admission of Male Students"
Amidst Dongduk Women's University facing fierce opposition from students following the announcement of the 'transition to coeducation' policy, signs indicate that the controversy may spread to other women's universities. The Sungshin Women's University Student Council also issued a statement opposing the transition to coeducation and announced plans to begin protests.
The 36th Sungshin Women's University Student Council 'Yeoilhage' stated on the 12th, "Although the school administration must communicate with the student council representing 10,000 students, it has shown independent actions in deciding major campus agendas," adding, "It has been revealed through the '2025 Academic Year First Semester Special Foreign Student Admission Guidelines' that foreign male students affiliated with the International Department can enroll."
On the 11th, university jumpers taken off by students are placed in front of the main building of Dongduk Women's University. Provided by the Student Council of Dongduk Women's University
They continued, "Along with the approval of the coeducation promotion at Sungshin Girls' High School during the board meeting, the mere fact that the transition to coeducation at other women's universities has become a topic indicates that the existence of women's universities in Korea is under threat," emphasizing, "The establishment of women's universities in Korean history is the result of efforts to guarantee expanded education for women and holds its value solely as an educational institution for women."
They added, "If this historical significance is forgotten, Sungshin will be nothing more than a school that has lost its purpose," and "The school administration must recognize the purpose of a women's university exclusively for women and guarantee the dignity of the students."
Along with this, the student council also presented demands to the school administration, including △ transparently sharing and communicating the operational direction of Sungshin Women's University △ stopping the acceptance of male students that undermines the reason for the existence of women's universities △ recognizing the mission of a women's university exclusively for women and guaranteeing the dignity of the students.
Statement announced by the Sungshin Women's University Student Council on the 12th. Instagram capture
Meanwhile, a protest against the transition to coeducation was held on the previous day at Dongduk Women's University. Earlier, at the end of last month, Dongduk Women's University held a meeting at the university headquarters to establish a development plan, during which the idea of transitioning to coeducation was raised as a solution to the difficulty in recruiting new students due to the declining birthrate.
Although this idea was reportedly one of several suggestions made by some committee members, once the news spread, fierce opposition arose among students. Photos of jumpers left in front of the university main building and condolence wreaths declaring strong opposition to the transition to coeducation were shared on social networking services (SNS).
Currently, there are seven four-year women's universities nationwide, including Ewha Womans University and Dongduk Women's University, and a total of 14 if vocational colleges are included. Previously, Sangmyung University was also a women's university but changed its name to Sangmyung University after transitioning to coeducation in 1996.
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