Women speak on campus experience

In 1952, four months after the Board of Regents of the State of Georgia voted to admit women into Tech, Elizabeth Herndon and Diane Michel made history by enrolling at Tech and setting the precedent for many others.

In just 55 years, Tech has gone from having zero to 32 percent undergraduate female students on campus.

That is certainly something to celebrate, especially in March, which is also known as Women's Awareness Month.

Granted, a 32 percent female population is by no means an impressive statistic compared to schools like Emory or Duke. However, these members of Tech's undergraduate population are among the brightest, most driven and courageous people on campus, in that they are daring to set foot in a place full of men and still succeed.

"Tech women are extremely intelligent and driven. I find that very attractive," said Chase Bradley, a second-year Computer Science major.

In today's society, women are treated with much more respect and admiration than they were 50 years ago, even at a school that is predominantly male.

Many female students feel that being a girl is an advantage in many respects.

"Being a girl definitely has its benefits. There are more scholarships available, participating in Tech sports is easier, because Tech is always recruiting girls," said Taylor Kopacka, a second-year Biomedical Engineering major.

"It's actually easier for a girl to succeed at Tech, because guys are very willing to help you out," said Sonya Parpart, a second-year Biomedical Engineering major.

However, some female students agree that there is a slight bias towards men in many majors.

"[Although] Tech's ratio has not been a huge deal to me, granted there are a lot of guys, and students accept the fact that I'm in charge of their grades, from time to time I still feel there is a slight bias towards guys in chemistry, but that's just how it is in science fields and the bias is barely noticeable most of the time," said Rebekah Shaner, a teaching assistant for a freshman chemistry course.

Many male students admit they sometimes treat their female friends like just another guy in the group. However, girls do not seem to mind that at all.

"I do treat some of my female friends like guys," said Steve Heitner, a fifth-year Biology and Biochemistry major.

"In fact, I prefer hanging out with these girls, because they are easier to talk to and more fun to be with," Heitner said.

"Even if I do get treated like one of the guys, I don't really care. It makes me more comfortable with them anyway," said Jane Yoon, a first-year International Affairs major.

Although the infamous Tech ratio has its advantages, it still brings up several less-than-appealing issues with students. Infamous among these are negative stereotypes of female students on campus, such as the MRS degree, TBS and the Tech goggle phenomenon.

The MRS, or Mrs. Degree, claims that some women come to Tech to get married. TBS, short for Tech Bitch Syndrome, generally says that since there are so many guys to choose from on campus, all Tech women are stuck up and mean when it comes to dating. The Tech goggle phenomenon is defined by Urban Dictionary as "the reduced standards in women that all Tech men fall victim to, as a result of so few attractive women."

Many students, especially men, assert that none of the stereotypical claims made about women are actually true.

"Generally, I don't really have respect for women who come here just to get married. Going to any college to get married is the wrong reason to go to college," said Mark Hilmy, a second-year Biology major.

Several female students have expressed disapproval of the stereotypical claims, saying a Tech education is not an MRS degree.

"I would get offended if someone said I came here just to get married. I would like to get married someday, but that is not why I'm here; I'm here to get a solid education," said Katie Ruth Landers, a second-year International Affairs major.

Not only is there a majority of male students on campus, there is also a majority of male professors on campus. Despite this, students have expressed a preference for female professors.

"Female professors are more approachable and easier to talk to," said Kyle Thomas, a first-year Chemical Engineering major.

In addition to actively recruiting women, Tech offers many success programs for women on campus, one of which is the Women's Resource Center (WRC), which is located in the Flag Building.

"It is important to have outreach groups like the WRC on campus, especially at a school like Tech. Depending on the major, one can still be one of the few women in class, and that can make them feel very left out at times. It is important for women to have a place where they can form networks and friendships with other women on campus," said Yvette Upton, director of the WRC.

"The biggest issue WRC has faced with women is sexual violence, which is something that is less likely to impact a man than a woman. Our ultimate goal is to enhance the academic performance and personal development of the women at Tech," Upton said.

For more information about WRC programs, check out its website at www.womenscenter.gatech.edu.