ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, May 31, 1996 TAG: 9605310063
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CHARLESTON, S.C.
SOURCE: Associated Press
The Citadel is ready to allow women in its cadet corps if the U.S. Supreme Court orders it to, a top school official says.
James Jones, chairman of the governing board, acknowledged that the military college's chances of keeping the corps all-male are slim, The State newspaper in Columbia reported today.
His comments marked one of the first times Citadel leaders have indicated the school might give in.
``We fought a good fight,'' said Jones, a 1958 alumnus. ``We're not going to be obstructionists.''
The Citadel has three contingency plans, depending on what the Supreme Court decides, Jones said. He did not discuss specifics.
``We're ready, precedentwise and policywise, for females,'' Jones said. ``Of course, we're still hoping [the ruling] goes the other way.''
Jones said he is resigned to the likelihood the court will strike down all-male admission policies as unconstitutional.
The court is expected to decide by the end of June whether Virginia Military Institute can remain all-male. That ruling likely will affect The Citadel.
Jones said he is concerned about how The Citadel will adapt to women, how many might be in the first class, and how prepared they will be for the rigors of cadet life.
``We don't want a repeat of what happened last summer,'' he said, referring to Shannon Faulkner's effort to enter the corps alone.
Faulkner quit after a week on campus. In a ``48 Hours'' taped interview broadcast on CBS Thursday night, she said she ``had a complete mental, emotional breakdown.''
She also hinted that something happened to her during her brief time at the school, but would not say what it was.
Another cadet who left the school last year said the corps was ordered to ostracize Faulkner and to clap and cheer when news of her exit was announced.
Faulkner said the 20 pounds she gained before entering The Citadel did not hamper her ability to meet the rigorous physical standards, and predicted that women are an inevitable part of the school's future.
Jones said he worries about how women will blend into the corps if only a few qualify initially.
``It is our desire to help those students be successful with their college experience,'' he said. ``It's tough. It's designed to be tough. It always has been.''
Ideally, The Citadel and VMI would be better prepared if women wait until 1997 to enroll, he said.
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