<p>If OP thinks the panhandlers are aggressive, good thing she and her D didn’t cross paths with any of the squirrels!!</p>
<p>(SaP - -love the t-shirt idea; almost as good as Cutter-Z’s “so hot we can burn for days.”)</p>
<p>^Agreed! I’ve had to take a different route of my house a few days because the squirrels had barricaded the back door!</p>
<p>As for the academic issue, I’ll admit that I was also underwhelmed by the first class I saw when I visited Smith. Sometimes, you’ll get stuck in a classroom full of people who don’t want to discuss an issue at hand for love or money. But it happens. The important thing to remember is not every class will be like this, and no college is immune to classes that are. I could go on, but I have to finish lunch and run to my calculus class–where dialogues between professor and students are commonplace.</p>
<p>As a “prospie”, my daughter wore a name badge. When she sat down to eat and 6 Smithies started talking in intimate detail about sex with each other, it was immature and reflective of the lack of sensitivity to a prospective student. SmithieandProud can be judgmental of me in her responses, but she cannot unwind my daughter’s experiences on campus. The poster who said there was a “survey taken several years ago” does not say how many years ago. If it was 30 years ago, odds are that the percentage of lesbians is now signficantly different than today’s percentage. Smith is unquestionably a mecca for lesbians. It is hard for me to understand why Smith college allows the display through photographs of nude photos of its students having sex masquerading as art in a sexhibition. It is hard for me to understand why there is open sexual activity on display for all to see and observe while on campus. Does anyone know about a serious incident that occurred on campus involving Smith students that received public scrutiny. Does anyone know the facts about it?</p>
<p>Interesting thread…as a father who was at Open Campus, and one who considers himself fairly liberal and open-minded, I was somewhat taken aback by some of the “visuals” I encountered during my visit.</p>
<p>But I must say that overall the experience was very positive. DD loved the three classes she attended. All with an interesting combination of lecture and discussion. She had a good overnight and is sure that she made the right decision.</p>
<p>As parents, of course we are concerned with the well-being of our daughters. But we also must realize that at some point we have to “let go” and allow them to experience things on their own. We have to trust them and assume we have given them the upbringing and advice that will allow them to make informed and responsible choices.</p>
<p>Much of what the OP witnessed could likely be found at any campus in the US, aside from maybe Bob Jones or Liberty. While some of it, we personally might find offensive, the overall impression Smith gives is of a safe, sane, place for a young woman to receive an oustanding education. For my part I am glad of the choice my daughter has made. It is her life and she must find her own way.</p>
<p>“The poster who said there was a “survey taken several years ago” does not say how many years ago.”</p>
<p>Three. (And I, for one, am very glad that there is a place where women - ALL women - will feel welcomed.) But if it isn’t for her, it isn’t, and I’m sure she has plenty of other fine choices.</p>
<p>@phanatic – Have they started throwing missiles yet? I have been pegged in the head by more squirrels walking to Seelye than I care to remember. This is what happens when you take away their natural predators. </p>
<p>@cncrndparent – I’m sorry if you feel I’m being judgemental. All I’m trying to do is explain it to you from a Smithie’s perspective. Having been on the campus for four years and not just one day, I’m trying to offer a more big picture view. I’m certainly not trying to “unwind” your daughter’s experience. If that’s how she felt and that’s how she perceived the campus, then she shouldn’t enroll there. I’m sure she was accepted at many fine institutions that she’ll find less challenging to her basic world view and her family’s values. </p>
<p>The survey was taken I think 2-4 years ago. I remember it was during my sophomore or senior year at Smith, I just don’t remember which. </p>
<p>Sexhibition does not feature nude students having sex. It features nude models in photographs that in my opinion are no more or less provocative than what you might find in a Grecian art gallery at any major museum. The exhibit is called Sexhibition, but it’s primary purpose is to promote body acceptance acceptance of alternative sexualities, etc. It’s not a display of pornography. </p>
<p>I’m not sure how one becomes a “mecca” for lesbians, but if that is your perception, and it makes you and your daughter uncomfortable, again, there are other schools where you will be less challenged by what you consider “open sexual activity”.</p>
<p>I vaguely remembered that the Princeton Review included a “gay friendly” list in its Best Colleges books, so I dusted off the old account and logged onto the site. Here’s the list, with some (perhaps) surprises:</p>
<ol>
<li>Emerson College </li>
<li>Stanford University </li>
<li>New York University </li>
<li>Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering </li>
<li>Prescott College </li>
<li>Bard College at Simon’s Rock </li>
<li>Wellesley College </li>
<li>Marlboro College </li>
<li>St. John’s College (MD) </li>
<li>Bennington College </li>
<li>Macalester College </li>
<li>New College of Florida </li>
<li>Swarthmore College </li>
<li>Hampshire College </li>
<li>Grinnell College </li>
<li>Mount Holyoke College </li>
<li>Warren Wilson College </li>
<li>Reed College </li>
<li>Smith College </li>
<li>Vassar College </li>
</ol>
<p>But these ranking have to be taken with many grains of salt since some colleges that have been at the top of the list for years (Harvey Mudd, Bryn Mawr, Barnard, Wesleyan, Oberlin, Haverford, Whitman, Carleton, etc.) got bumped this year. No Yale, though, Mini!</p>
<p>Least gay friendly? It’s not a surprise that these are on the list: Notre Dame, Brigham Young, Baylor, Southern Methodist, Texas A&M, Boston College, and Providence College. </p>
<p>I supplied this list because I think it’s important to note that Smith is not alone in having an openly gay population, and that other prestigious schools make an effort to make ALL their students feel comfortable in the campus environment.</p>
<p>Here’s the 2007 list:</p>
<p>1.) New College of Florida
2.) Macalester College
3.) Wellesley College
4.) Eugene Lang College/New School University
5.) Mount Holyoke College
6.) St. John’s College (MD)
7.) Bryn Mawr College
8.) Lawrence University
9.) Emerson College
10.) Harvey Mudd College
11.) St. John’s College (NM)
12.) Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering
13.) Wesleyan University
14.) Marlboro College
15.) Carleton College
16.) Smith College
17.) Haverford College
18.) Reed College
19.) Bard College
20.) Oberlin College</p>
<p>And then there was this blog (I can’t provide a link because supplying URLs to blog violates CC’s terms of service, but it’s easy enough to Google):</p>
<p>“What do Princeton University, Emory University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Southern California and University of Utah have in common? Well, they all want to recruit out lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth. These are just a few of the top colleges who came out of the closet this year at the Campus Pride LGBT-Friendly College Fairs.”</p>
<p>Sorry. I can’t resist. In the Princeton Review’s 2009 list, Smith didn’t make the top 20. That shows you how fluid this list is.</p>
<ol>
<li>Emerson College </li>
<li>New College of Florida </li>
<li>New York University </li>
<li>Stanford University </li>
<li>Prescott College </li>
<li>Macalester College </li>
<li>Simon’s Rock College of Bard </li>
<li>College of the Atlantic </li>
<li>Wellesley College </li>
<li>Mount Holyoke College </li>
<li>Bennington College </li>
<li>Sarah Lawrence College </li>
<li>Bryn Mawr College </li>
<li>Marlboro College </li>
<li>Beloit College </li>
<li>Swarthmore College </li>
<li>St. Mary’s College of Maryland </li>
<li>Hampshire College </li>
<li>Grinnell College </li>
<li>Reed College</li>
</ol>
<p>Wow! MWFN, I love the lists! Gays are everywhere, at coed colleges, at women’s colleges; it’s a fact of life. Statistically, I think gays are about 10% of the population. My daughter’s straight and she LOVES Smith. She has her friends and it doesn’t matter to her what their sexual orientation is. What matters is that they are all respectful of each other.</p>
<p>So Yale had done its survey about three years ago. The reason for the large gay male population at Yale is not surprising: they have maybe the largest, certainly the best-funded LGBT Studies program in the United States, and lots of activities to go with.</p>
<p>Generally speaking, according to the CDC, there are about three times as many gay men as lesbians. However, the description of sexual preferences doesn’t stop there. When asked whether they have “attractions” to people of different genders, some 26% of U.S. women said they are attracted to women. (Pretty similar to what the Smith statistical survey found.) Many of them would classify themselves as “straight”; others act upon their attraction. People in their college years are more likely to act upon their “attractions” than when they are older. In addiition, the lesbian percentage at Smith IS larger than within the general public (and I think that’s great! I would hope that is the case at a college encompassing the experience of all women.) Writing about her experience almost 35 years ago, former Smith President Jil Ker Conway talks about being requested to “rein in” lesbian expression at Smith, and her categorical refusal to do so. She saw Smith as a place that should be reflective of ALL women’s experience, and that Smith would be a better educational institution for it. And, and I say this as a straight man (though I can be pretty funny, I’m told), I am so glad to agree with her.</p>
<p>I am sorry that the OP and her d. had a bad experience. I read every year about applicants and admittees getting roaring drunk during visits and admit days at other colleges as well (including at my alma mater Williams, where several were transported to emergency rooms at the North Adams hospital). </p>
<p>It is what it is.</p>
<p>Hmm. “Concerned” Parent has four posts, all about the scary culture at Smith. ■■■■■. Or worse. Next case. Satanus retro mes.</p>
<p>My practicing Catholic straight D had no problems with the culture at Smith, including a complete absence of unwanted sexual advances, something one could not say about the experience of many at co-ed colleges. She has many friends who are gay. For that matter, I have gay friends, colleagues, and clients. I will stand with them and for them. On their behalf, I find the OP’s attitude thoroughly contemptible.</p>
<p>I thought the same, TheDad, regarding no prior posts.</p>
<p>As a Unitarian Universalist, I have many, many gay friends, both men and women, and my husband and I love them dearly; most of them we know through our welcoming church. It doesn’t matter that they’re gay. What matters is that we all support and contribute to each others’ lives and try to make the world a better place.</p>
<p>@MWFN – I actually find it kind of annoying that Smith is SO far down those lists! Though I guess we can take top 20 with a note of pride.</p>
<p>Maybe Smith is not keeping stats on the lesbian ratio to purposely not rise higher in the lesbian campus rankings. I can’t imagine that Smith alums from years past are encouraging admissions to market the lesbian benefits of Smith, but I could be wrong. Perhaps SmithandProud (who enjoys attacking me as the messenger rather than my message of simply going onto the campus to check it out) can chime in on that issue.</p>
<p>For what it’s worth (not much), the Princeton Review rankings are STUDENT rankings, the result of large campuswide surveys of students. I imagine Smith alums from past years heavily market the value of benefits of Smith to women - ALL women - of whatever sexual preferences. President Jil Ker Conway sure did. That’s the way it should be.</p>
<p>CNCRDPARENT - I think you want us - parents, friends, and students at Smith - to be “outraged” by the fact that there are lesbians - lots of 'em - at Smith. I’m sorry we can’t oblige you. Homophobes be warned.</p>
<p>I too was a father at the open campus last week and, although I was not looking for anything in particular, I missed all of the PDA that was apparently rampant on campus. I too interacted with the college republicans and the transgender group (I think their sign said something like "trans-cend gender) and you know what? They’re college kids, just like we were once up on a time. I had nice conversations with students, prospects, other parents, administrators, and professors. I wished I were 18 again.
My D observed an impromptu soccer game on the quad, where she suspected some of the participants might have been “hydrating” with something other than water or a sports drink. She went to the McDonald’s on King Street in the middle of the night. She had a lot of fun and enjoyed meeting the students and the other prospies. She was disappointed that a class she wanted to attend was unexpectedly not held that day. (The students in the class did not know what happened.)<br>
Smith is not for everyone, just like Yale, Bob Jones, Michigan, and Sarah Lawrence, aren’t for everyone.
Cncrdparent. We got it. Thank you for the food on which we’ve been chewing for the last few hours.</p>
<p>As a 5-college grad myself, I knew what to expect at Smith–but I was still surprised. I was delighted by students who were happy to tell me how they felt about a transgendered student who was not allowed to host an overnight Prospie. But I was also confused by this story–Is it a women’s college once men are living there? The students I spoke to, though, did not see it as a black-and-white issue. They saw their friend, suffering and they were asking for a kind of clarity. I think that’s fair and smart.</p>
<p>My worry for my daughter is not about this culture, but about her, personally. She doesn’t have a boyfriend and isn’t the type to go to parties hosted by frats or sports teams. How will she make friends with boys–not as sexual partners, as lab partners, as people she might eat lunch with? I understand there are girls who go looking for boyfriends–but how do they find boy friends? </p>
<p>I’m not trying to say bad things about Smith. I really loved our visit. I’m really asking a question. My D isn’t the aggressive type and needs to share an activity (not drinking) with guys in order to strike up a friendship–the way you or I might on the job.</p>