Women's College Reps Tell White House What Female Students Need

The Women's College Coalition has released a report assessing women's educational needs and suggesting "how the government, private sector, and the women's colleges themselves can work together to effect change." The document grew out of a September policy summit with Clinton administration officials attended by presidents of and student leaders from the eighty-two American women's colleges.

Among the recommendations:

• "Higher education must be seen as a national investment in prosperity, not just a cost." Clinton should dedicate to higher education "student loans, grants, fellowships, and stipends," and reauthorize the Higher Education Act .
• In addition to making suggestions about the financing and repayment of a college education, the document proposes placing special emphasis on the education of women in math and science.
• Because a growing number of students in college today are older, independent adults with jobs and families, the importance of affordable housing, a supportive, family-friendly workplace, and the impact of state-based welfare delivery are crucial educational issues as well as social policy issues.
• "Industry should be encouraged to support students' education, training, and employment through strategic initiatives."
• "A national student summit should be organized to focus on women's rights as human rights."