Wilson College welcomes male students to main program

(Chambersburg) — As the school year gets underway, three men attending one Franklin County college are being recognized as pioneers.

The trio is made up of the first-ever male students enrolled at Wilson College‘s main academic program.

This is the first year the Chambersburg-based institution has accepted men after its trustees made the controversial decision in January to go co-ed.

Spokesman Brian Speer says male students won’t be able to live on campus yet.

“This year, we’re able to work with our current students to really understand how we want to set things up,” Speer says. “Where do we want the male students living in the dorms? What’s going to be comfortable for the people here on campus? And really make all those plans.”

Speer says the school’s move to go co-ed is part of a plan to increase its overall enrollment.

A vocal group of students and alumnae has pushed back against the college’s decision to accept men, but Speer says the school has no plans to change its mind.

Trustees have also approved a student loan buy-back program and a tuition cut of about $5,000 in the hopes of attracting more people to the school with about 700 students in all of its programs.