The Dongduk Women's University Incident Spreads to Gwangju... Gwangju Women's University Student Council "No Transition to Engineering Absolutely"

Gwangju Women's University Student Council "Absolutely No Intention to Transition to Coeducation"
"Clearly Stated We Will Preserve the Identity of a Women's University"

As current students strongly oppose Dongduk Women's University's transition to coeducation, students at Gwangju Women's University are also raising critical voices against the school's plan to expand the quota for foreign male students. As the controversy continues, the student council of Gwangju Women's University issued a statement confirming that "Gwangju Women's University currently has absolutely no intention of transitioning to coeducation," reported Gwangju Ilbo on the 12th.

Students opposing the discussion to transition Dongduk Women's University to a coeducational system blocked the school gate and protested in front of the main building of Dongduk Women's University in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 12th. Photo by Yonhap News

According to Gwangju Ilbo, anonymous posts such as "Collecting funds for condolence wreath (purchase cost)" and "Notice of protests for department jackets/major textbooks" have been posted on the university student community app 'Everytime' on the Gwangju Women's University bulletin board. Earlier, Gwangju Women's University conducted a survey among current students regarding the recruitment of male students limited to certain departments admitting foreign students in April. Afterwards, the school announced the results, stating that "nearly half of the students were in favor." The school also stated, "The school regulations have been revised, and the admission guidelines will be updated starting next year." This has caused anxiety among Gwangju Women's University students, with concerns spreading that the policy to expand the quota for foreign students might be a preliminary step toward transitioning to coeducation.

As concerns grew, the Gwangju Women's University student council 'Yeowoon' released a statement saying, "We have identified the problematic situation and held discussions involving the Director and Deputy Director of Planning, as well as the student council president and vice president," and confirmed that "Gwangju Women's University currently has absolutely no intention of transitioning to coeducation." They further explained, "The school clearly stated that it will uphold the identity of a women's university in accordance with the purpose of the school regulations, admission qualifications, and the founding philosophy of women's education until the end," and added, "Only women are eligible for admission to general departments except for the dedicated foreign student department (Global Convergence Department) and the adult learner dedicated program, where gender restrictions are not applied."

Gwangju Women's University Yeowoon Student Council Instagram

Additionally, 'Yeowoon' issued a solidarity statement titled "Opposition to and Withdrawal of Dongduk Women's University's Transition to Coeducation." The statement emphasized, "Dongduk Women's University sincerely hopes that students, who are the owners of the school, can enjoy happiness and rights at the university by having their voices heard loudly," and stressed, "We hope the school will cease further unilateral decisions and confusion, and bring stability and peace to brighten Dongduk Women's University."

Meanwhile, as it became known that Dongduk Women's University is discussing the transition to coeducation, students have strongly opposed by occupying the main building and other facilities and staging protests. However, Dongduk Women's University maintains that the transition to coeducation is merely one of the ideas that emerged during the process of establishing the school's development plan.