Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, September 26, 1993                   TAG: 9309260057
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A-12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

VMI PROPOSAL

Academic curriculum: Institute for Leadership students would complete general education requirements of Mary Baldwin and elect an academic major from areas offered there.

Military training: As do VMI cadets, students enrolled in the Institute for Leadership would be required to participate in four years of ROTC courses and training through cross-enrollment in one of VMI's ROTC programs. Courses would be taught and training exercises conducted by VMI faculty. ROTC training would include two hours weekly of academic education and one hour weekly of military drill.

Rat system: Unlike VMI, the Institute for Leadership would not utilize a Rat Line, an initiation for freshmen, or "rats," designed to bring about unity. ("Rats" are not recognized by upperclassmen as a class until they "break out" of the rat line, an event usually held in the spring.)

The Institute for Leadership would, however, pursue a mental-toughness goal through rigorous training programs, regulated residence hall life, an honor code, an ROTC program and an intensive academic program.

Physical training: As do VMI cadets, Institute for Leadership students would be required to take and pass eight semesters in a rigorous physical education program, including a physical fitness test that would be as demanding for the women as VMI's physical education program and test are for the men at VMI.

Residence: Institute for Leadership students would reside together in separate housing on the Mary Baldwin campus as a condition to graduation. Unlike VMI, the residence hall would not be operated on a military format but would afford leadership experiences in self-government and mentoring relationships.