ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, December 11, 1996 TAG: 9612110050
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: LEXINGTON
SOURCE: ALLISON BLAKE STAFF WRITER
EXCEPT FOR WHITE SKIRTS that women will add to the wardrobe, all cadets will wear identical uniforms. But what to call those crossed belts may be a problem.
Virginia Military Institute administrators have learned three major lessons from their visits with officials at other formerly all-male schools:
Incorporate women into the barracks - don't house them separately.
Don't make so many changes that women can't help create their role.
And, finally, "don't denigrate them" by outfitting them with men's uniforms instead of tailoring clothes to fit women, said Col. Mike Bissell, who is helping to oversee VMI's admission of women.
These are some of the guiding principles on the Lexington campus as eight committees meet weekly to prepare for the arrival of women next August. So far, four women have been admitted by early decision, and at least two more have been offered scholarships and are expected to be accepted.
"Their reasons for being interested in VMI are the same as the young men who are in the corps of cadets" today, admissions director Vern Beitzel said.
Except for white skirts in three lengths that women will add to the VMI wardrobe, all cadets will wear identical uniforms.
The school repeatedly has pledged to change as little as possible, and that includes making everyone get short haircuts. But the "buzzcut" the school earlier announced all students will receive remains a matter of debate. Computer imaging borrowed from The Citadel is helping VMI officials define how women's hair should be styled.
Should it be short and tapered on top? Or closer to the collar, like in the services?
"We want a haircut that's close-cropped and functional," Bissell said Tuesday at a press briefing. "We may have a slight variance between male and female cadets."
The great haircut debate is focused primarily on how the first year "rats" will wear their hair from the time they enter school until Thanksgiving. After that, all of the fourth-year students begin to get more privileges, and begin to grow out their shaved heads, Bissell said.
Meantime, policies guarding against sexual harassment and fraternization are being considered. They'll be among potential changes unveiled Feb. 1, the day VMI hopes to launch orientation sessions for all cadets, faculty, and staff.
"The basis of our deliberation and discussion [is] civility and respect for everybody," said Mike Harris, the head of VMI's modern language department, who is heading the orientation committee.
"We cannot hope to change personal, individual opinions," he said. "What we can hope to do is monitor personal behavior."
Orientation will continue through next summer, via information passed through the cadet chain of command, or posted on bulletin boards.
Committees also are considering how to handle VMI's distinct lexicon.
The word "dyke," for instance, refers to a rat's big brother. But it's also a derogatory term for a lesbian. Its VMI use grew out of the crossed belts - "cross dykes" - on the front of cadets' dress uniforms. One cadet often helps another adjust the belts.
While Bissell said that term has a legitimate origin and may well stand, he said the school will have to get rid of some of the more derogatory terms students may be using.
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