ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, October 10, 1996 TAG: 9610100088
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: NORFOLK
SOURCE: Associated Press
The entering class of cadets at Virginia Military Institute next year will have at least 30 women, according to the school's superintendent.
Maj. Gen. Josiah Bunting III, attending a private luncheon Tuesday with VMI alumni, also said afterwards that the alumni are setting aside their opposition to coeducation to ensure it proceeds ``nobly and honorably.''
``I think there is already a real willingness to attempt to salve and bind up the wounds that may have resulted from the debate'' over scrapping the men-only admission policy, Bunting said.
In June, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that VMI could not bar women and remain tax-supported. Many alumni pushed for VMI to become private, but the VMI Board of Visitors voted 9-8 last month to admit women next year.
Bunting said VMI has begun to recruit women about to graduate from high school. He said he recognizes the obstacles. ``I think VMI's reputation among high school students has been a forbidding, Spartan and military one,'' he said.
Recruiters will stress the school's liberal arts curriculum, its strength in math and engineering, and in emerging programs such as international studies and environmental engineering, Bunting said.
He said he also will ask the General Assembly for $5 million to prepare the barracks for female students and to hire a few women administrators.
VMI has received 116 inquiries from female high school seniors, spokesman Mike Strickler said Tuesday.
The school plans to conduct an open house Oct. 19.
LENGTH: Short : 38 linesby CNB