This fall, Mary Baldwin University in Staunton, Virginia, admitted men to residential programs for the first time in its 175-year history. The co-educational University College is offering fast-track career programs in the health sciences, education and the performing arts. These accelerated degree program aim to graduate students in three years. Only seven men enrolled this fall. They make up one percent of the undergraduate student body. The Mary Baldwin College for Women which encompasses the other undergraduate offerings at the university will remain a separate entity.
Many alumnae of Mary Baldwin University, did not agree with the decision to transition to co-education. In an olive branch to these alumnae, Mary Baldwin has announced five new programing initiatives and enhanced efforts to recruit students for the Mary Baldwin College for Women.
The new programming initiatives include leadership programs, mentoring efforts, community service projects, and programs to ease the transition to college for first-year women students. The university also stated that some residence halls will remain exclusively for women.