Veterans enrolling at the University of Kentucky following
World War II created a housing shortage on campus. The July 19, 1946 Kentucky Kernel reported
that barracks were being constructed around the campus for up to 48 women and
50 men but they would not be ready in time for the beginning of the
semester. Also, planning and
construction for Shawneetown, a new housing project on the agricultural farm,
was just getting underway.
Dean of Women Sarah Holmes warned UK officials that the
university should not house returning male veterans at the expense of the women
students. However, 69 women students, including Chi Omega and Kappa
Kappa Gamma sorority members and former
women residents of the Shelby House, still did not have housing for the fall semesters.
Dean Holmes negotiated for the university to rent the
former Odd Fellows Home on Sixth Street for 200 women students. She was also using scholastic standing to
determine which women students had first access to the 694 beds available. Women students with the lowest grades would
be forced to find living accommodations off campus.
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| Dean Sarah Holmes |
Writing in 1946 Dean Homles noted:
"I
cannot help but wonder if the doors are closing for women students at our co-educational
institutions. It is a short-sighted
policy to provide educational benefits for veterans at the expense of
women. More women than ever are applying
for entrance to institutions of higher learning. Some people are saying let women wait their
turn. There is no turn in higher
education for women. The veterans'
pressure will be felt perhaps five or ten years. Women cannot wait until this pressure is
reduced. Though discrimination against
women students is not actually designed, many of our present policies actually
have that result. It is the
responsibility of not only Deans of Women but other college officials to see
that women as well as men have their chance for higher education."
