St. Mary’s College, a Catholic all-girls institution in Indiana, recently reversed a controversial policy decision that would have allowed biological males identifying as females to enroll. This reversal has been met with widespread approval from the college’s students and alumni.
In November, the college announced plans to admit men identifying as women starting in the fall semester of 2024. This decision, however, sparked immediate backlash from the college community, including alumni, students, and religious practitioners. The school, established in 1844 and known for its $50,000 average tuition, faced intense criticism following the announcement.
College President Katie Conboy addressed the controversy in an email to faculty and the college community. She acknowledged that the decision to change the admissions policy had caused significant concern among stakeholders, who feared it was more than just a policy shift but a potential dilution of the school’s mission and a threat to its Catholic identity.
Conboy admitted that the college had underestimated the community’s desire to be involved in significant policy-making processes. She expressed regret for the loss of trust and the unintentional division caused by the initial decision. Consequently, the Board decided to revert to the previous admissions policy.
Former student Clare Bettag praised the women of St. Mary’s for speaking out against what she termed an “anti-woman” and “anti-Catholic” policy. Bettag and her former classmate Macy Gunnell, who had met with the administration to voice their concerns, expressed surprise and satisfaction at the policy reversal.
Junior student Clare Ath speculated that the change might have been influenced by alumni withdrawing donations and raising awareness through the media and their dioceses. She hoped the decision was based on the realization that the college must teach “truth with love,” rather than succumbing to secular gender ideology.
Patrick Reilly, founder and president of the Cardinal Newman Society, also reacted positively to the reversal, emphasizing the importance of truth as the foundation of Catholic education.
The decision by St. Mary’s College to maintain its traditional admissions policy reflects the ongoing debate in educational institutions over gender identity and religious values. The response from the college community highlights the complex challenges faced by religious institutions in navigating societal changes while staying true to their foundational principles.