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

DATE: TUESDAY, April 9, 1991                   TAG: 9104090600
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A1   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: COLUMBIA, S.C.                                LENGTH: Short

CITADEL GRAD FEARS WOMEN INEVITABLE

University of South Carolina president John Palms says he's not ready to eliminate the male-only policies of The Citadel and the Virginia Military Institute.

But Palms, himself a Citadel graduate, said public opinion probably will force the two schools to admit women cadets.

Citadel officials are closely watching the outcome of VMI's defense of its male-only policy to see whether the federal government will compel the Charleston military college to admit women cadets.

Palms said Monday during a Rotary Club reunion that society can benefit from "male bonding" opportunities available at schools such as The Citadel.

He said single-sex colleges can prepare graduates for the "family problems" of single parent-households.

He said admitting women to the cadet corps would be like "creating a new institution."

Those advocating the abolition of the male-only rule for daytime students at The Citadel should consider creating an all-women's military college, Palms said.

by CNB