Notre Dame of Maryland looking forward to expanding “mission” to male students, but change creates a stir among alumni and students

After 127 years as primarily an all-women’s undergraduate college, change is on the way at Notre Dame of Maryland University.

That change – enrolling men for all undergraduate programs – is causing a bit of a stir at the North Baltimore institution, especially among its alumni and current students.

The NDMU Board of Trustees voted unanimously for the university to become co-ed and enroll men into the traditional undergraduate program starting in fall 2023. The decision came nearly a year after the board formed a taskforce to review the enrollment trends of women’s colleges, as well as national and statewide undergraduate data. 

Within minutes of the university’s announcement of the decision to start enrolling men to all undergraduate programs next fall, social media was buzzing with comments – both pro and con.

Dr. Marylou Yam, president of the university since 2014, sees the move as a transformational moment for Notre Dame.

“We are excited about expanding our mission and inviting male students to be a part of what we continue to see as a transformational and inclusive academic experience,” Yam said. 

She said the university’s Board or Trustees was being “proactive and looking ahead” by making the change. 

“We are expanding our mission,” Yam said. “That’s what the School Sisters of Notre Dame have done since they first came to America.”

NDMU was founded in 1895 as the first Catholic college to award a four-year degree to women. 

In 1975, NDMU opened a weekend college for adult undergraduate students, opening enrollment to men for the first time. The school’s master’s programs also have been open to men. However, most undergraduate day programs remained women-only.

Yam said the university continues to make women’s education a priority, and noted things that make the school attractive to women, such as “community-based education” and small class sizes, will be attractive to men as well.

The university plans to add men’s NCAA Division III sports, starting with soccer and basketball, with plans to expand to lacrosse and track and field.

The school has set up Zoom sessions to discuss the changes with alumni.

Amanda (Arkwrigh) McCarthy, a 2009 graduate who went on to earn a law degree at Widener University, said the decision surprised her and many of her fellow alumni. 

“I guess the word I’d use is shocked,” McCarthy said. “It took me by surprise in the purest sense of the word. We had been told for years that it wasn’t going to happen and, if it was, then we’d be a part of the decision and it would be communicated to us. It just seems like it happened overnight.

“I have mixed emotions,” said the mother of three. “I want to see the school survive and if this accomplishes that, then I’m OK with it. However, it just seems like it goes against everything the school was founded for. The school really set me up for success and gave me and other women leadership skills that we wouldn’t have received at a co-ed college.”

McCarthy said she was particularly worried about the effect on the sports programs and the burden that adding men’s teams would have on funding for the women’s teams. 

Alexandria Malinowski, a senior criminology major from Dundalk, said students also were surprised by the decision and upset that they didn’t have a “voice.” 

“It’s honestly extremely disrespectful of the administration,” Malinowski said. “We feel completely disrespected by the lack of transparency. Neither the students, staff nor some of the faculty were aware that this study was going on for a year. It makes us feel like our voices didn’t matter.”

Alycia Hancock, a senior biology major from Southern Maryland, said even though she is the student representative on the Board of Trustees, she wasn’t informed or a part of the decision.

“Students, faculty and staff were blindsided,” Hancock said. “I think a lot of the students would be more receptive to the change if our voices were heard. It’s not just about admitting male students. We want an inclusive educational environment, and this wasn’t inclusive.”

April Boss, a junior nursing major from Pennsylvania, said she was attracted to the school by its academic program, but also didn’t like the way the announcement was handled.

“Personally, I’m indifferent about the decision,” Boss said. “I decided to attend the school because of its nursing program, not because it was an all-women’s school. I’m OK with them admitting males, but I’m disappointed that those most impacted by the decision didn’t have a voice in the process.”

Amy Brannock, a 2001 graduate who also earned a master’s from the university in 2007, was blunt in her assessment of the change. 

“What a terrible decision. Now I won’t consider sending my daughter to follow in my footsteps,” said the owner of BFD Educational Services and former Howard County special education teacher.

Others were disappointed in the loss of another all-female educational institution. Hood College in Frederick (2003), Villa Julie College (1972 and now Stevenson University) and Goucher College in Towson (1986) all joined the co-ed ranks in recent decades.

Many alumni were disappointed in the loss of a school that women could call their own.

Amie Hale Keegan, a 1993 graduate, said she was “heartbroken” over the decision. “I can understand a need for change but this change is extremely disappointing,” she said. 

Jaclyn Zendrian, who graduated in 2004 and added a master’s degree in 2010 from NDMU, said: “As an alum twice over, this is extremely disappointing, even after reading about why. Women deserve a place that focuses on what matters to them to empower them.”

Email Gerry Jackson at gjackson@CatholicReview.org

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