Bunting Suggests Younger Students

President Bunting last night outlined a program which would take advantage of the unique situation of the rural woman's college; she proposed that such colleges admit a number of girls who are 16 and 17 years old.

"They could admit girls a year earlier than is customary," Mrs. Bunting explained, "since women mature more quickly than men."

Describing the advantage of such a policy, Mrs. Bunting noted that since women are going to have their careers interrupted, "why not get on with their education?" Early entrants could then plan on getting their masters before settling down, she explained.

But such a program could not be adopted by Radcliffe, Mrs. Bunting cautioned, because of the confusion, size, and complexity of urban life. In a rural setting, academic maturity would be the primary measure of a girl's success. She said that Vassar and Bennington have ideal conditions.

Urban colleges offer other unique opportunities for women's education, according to Mrs. Bunting. Citing the Radcliffe Institute, she suggested that the urban college consider "the needs of women in the third and fourth decade of their lives" by providing programs for adult education. She noted that women's colleges have lagged far behind state colleges and universities in offering educational opportunities for adults.