Is the Goal of Women's Universities Natural Extinction?…Dongduk Women's University Alumni Association "No Tolerance for Damage"

"Damaged Beyond Repair Due to Protests"
School Reports "Maximum Damage Amount of 5.45 Billion Won"

As Dongduk Women's University faces backlash from current students over discussions about transitioning to a coeducational system, the president of the alumni association also expressed concerns, stating that the students' sit-in protests are damaging the school's reputation.

Students opposing the discussion to transition Dongduk Women's University to a coeducational system are protesting and blocking the gate at the main building of Dongduk Women's University in Seongbuk-gu. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 15th, the Dongduk Women's University Alumni Association released a statement on an internal portal accessible only to students, saying, "As an alumnus and a member of the Dongduk community, I cannot help but feel concern and dismay over the current situation unfolding at the school." The alumni association added, "All the buildings and campus grounds of Dongduk hold meaningful history and great significance for all of us," and emphasized, "Even the smallest items, which might be considered trivial, are assets created through everyone's efforts and achievements."

They continued, "Our precious Dongduk is being irreparably damaged under the name of protest," pointing out, "Dongduk today is not owned by any single individual but is a gem-like result of the history and efforts of all its members. It is unacceptable to recklessly damage or destroy it for any reason."

Furthermore, they stated, "The regressive claim that 'the goal of a women's university is natural extinction' is utterly shocking," and added, "Our alumni association understands well how the strength of your alma mater will serve as an important support for you in society in the future. We, the Dongduk community with a long history as a place of intellect, believe and hope that Dongduk's future will become a hall of knowledge shining internationally beyond Korea. We earnestly ask that the current issues regarding Dongduk's future be resolved through dialogue and attentive listening to each other's opinions, and that normalcy be restored as soon as possible."

The school jackets taken off by students opposing the discussion to convert Dongduk Women's University to a coeducational institution are placed in front of the main building of Dongduk Women's University in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News.

The protests at Dongduk Women's University began on the 11th after it was revealed that some faculty members mentioned the 'promotion of coeducation transition' during the process of establishing the school's development plan. Current students have occupied the main building of Dongduk Women's University in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, demanding the complete abolition of discussions about transitioning to coeducation and the establishment of a communication system with students. As the protests intensified?blocking professors attempting to visit laboratories and throwing flour, ketchup, and other substances at the bust of former Chairman Jo Yong-gak in front of the main building?the university temporarily shifted all classes to online.

Dongduk Women's University announced on its website, "Although the exact amount is uncertain as it is an estimate by an external company, the damage is estimated to be between 2,444,340,000 KRW and 5,444,340,000 KRW." The highest repair costs were for the main campus, Design Hub, and Performing Arts Center, ranging from 2 billion to 5 billion KRW. The estimate also included 330 million KRW in damages claimed by the organizer of a job fair canceled due to the students' protests, and 100 million KRW for renting external facilities for examinees during the university entrance exam period when protests occurred on campus.