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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 6, 1974)
a t toniglj'i will in;r, ' su Ppon I . bei >lg con- Texas Ain >f Texas, i ad valor., ? P for Proposal, compronj, j;; dd to othd T up the f 5N f lools," Sean THE BATTALION Paire 7 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1974 Engineering women ‘never had it so good’ The problem between women and engineering isn’t being felt by women. In fact, declares John G. McGuire, Texas A&M Univer sity’s Assistant Dean of Engineer ing, the girls never had it so good. “The problem is that the engi neering profession can’t find enough female engineers to fill the many vacancies and opportun ities that exist for them,” Mc Guire noted. The College of Engineering re corded a tremendous increase in coed enrollment over the last few years. This year more than 150 women enrolled in engineering disciplines, compared to less than 30 three years ago. This year’s freshman class, the first to graduate in TAMU’s sec ond century, boasts 65 coeds who came to study everything from mechanical to electrical engineer ing. “We are actively engaged in recruiting programs aimed at coed students,” McGuire said. “With the cooperation of the Society of Women Engineers and the Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS), we regularly contact every high school in the state, telling career counselors of our desire to increase our coed enroll ment and of the career opportun ities for Women engineers.” McGuire added that engineering students never had it so good, with job offers each spring to grad uating seniors far outstripping the supply of young engineers to fill them. With one of the largest per centage coed enrollments in en gineering in the nation, Texas A&M expects another bumper crop from next year’s entering freshmen. “We have found that coeds are taking an increased liking to science and technical subjects in high school,” McGuire noted. “To day’s coed high school student wants more out of life than ele mentary school teaching or full time homemaking. “This new-found interest in sci ence and technology leads us to believe that our coed enrollment will increase substantially each year,” he added. The girls are holding their own academically. McGuire mentioned with pride three coed engineering students with perfect “A” aver ages thus far in their educational careers. Engineering Dean Fred J. Ben son pointed out that coed engi neering students expect no “spec ial” treatment, and they get none at Texas A&M. “The girls here are treated only as rational adults should be treated,” he said. “They do the job we expect of them quite well, and from the graduate employ ment reports we’ve received, in dustry is extremely pleased with their performance.” Although Texas A&M is en gaged in recruiting both male and female engineering students, Mc Guire receives many letters of in quiry about engineering education and the profession from high school coeds. “They want to know how well they will fare in the job mar ket,” he explained, “not how well they will do in scool. They know they can make the grade academi cally.” He said engineering coeds are received in good favor by Texas firms participating in the engi neering cooperative education pro gram at Texas A&M. The co-op program places en gineering students in engineering- related jobs in alternating semes ters, allowing students to gain practical experience while com pleting work on an engineering degree. “We have 15 coeds in the co-op program this year,” McGuire said, “and we’ve been receiving excel lent work reports on them from their employers.” While women and engineering haven’t always traditionally mix ed, the Texas A&M coed engineers are proving they can make the cut, and are doing a pretty good job of it. Coordinator responsible for coeds With the influx of women to Texas A&M Universtiy, someone was needed to coordinate activ ities for approximately 800 coeds residing in a three-dormitory area on the north side of campus previously occupied by men. Karen Switzer was that some one. Beginning work last semester, the petite, long-haired brunette started heading the dorm staffs, including resident advisors and head residents, in the three dorms, Keathley, Fowler and Hughes. “I’m in charge of their training and morale,” explained the coordi nator of the women’s housing complex. She also works with the dorm and judicial councils. “I’m working with the councils with the goal in mind of student development. I’ll work With the women, or coeducatioally, to de velop the program which will ultimately meet their goal,” she said. Exciting things happen when working with so many girls, but she explained that one of her biggest fulfillments from her job comes from building the founda tion. “We’re starting from nothing and building — including writing the constitutions and laying the framework for the future of the women residents — and that’s what’s exciting.” A native of Topeka, Kan., the vivacious counselor graduated from Wichita State University in 1969 with double majors in speech communications and politi cal science. “I didn’t really know which area to go into, so I combined my majors when I got my master’s degree from Kansas University by going into speech communica tions and human relations in political science.” Mrs. Switzer met her husband when she was working for the air pollution control department in Washington, D.C. Warren Switzer teaches mili tary histotry and justice here as part of his ROTC duty. The counselor quickly asserted that she has many outside inter ests bescides her job, including theatrical work at “Stagecenter,” helping Girl Scouts earn their merit badges and volunteer work for the Red Cross multi-media first aid program. She and her husband also like to cook and have sponsored sev eral international nights in their home, inviting foreign students to eat the food of their native land. “They sometimes don’t know what is it, though,” she added. FOR BEST RESULTS TRY BATTALION CLASSIFIED Embrey’s Jewelry We Specialize In Atfgie Rings. Diamonds Set— Sizing— Reoxidizing— All types watch/jewelry Repair 9-5:30 846-5816 fcS^ a] SKAGGS ALBERTSONS DRUGS 1 FOODS * - ' v 4 3A N v SFKIAIS GOOD HI. 4, 7, *, t, 1074 WID , THURS . FRI., SAT. DELICATESSEN CHEESE & SALAMI CHEESE $155 LB. 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