Dongduk Women's University Students Vote 85.7% Against Co-ed Transition

A student referendum at Dongduk Women's University showed 85.7% of participants opposing a proposed transition to coeducation, the student council announced.

The student council at the Seoul-based women's university conducted the poll titled "Survey of 8,000 Dongduk Members' Opinions on Co-ed Transition" and released the results Thursday.

The offline voting, held from January 3 through 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, achieved a turnout of 50.4%, surpassing the majority threshold. Vote counting was completed within two hours.

Of the 3,470 total respondents, 2,975 (85.7%) opposed the transition. Those in favor numbered 280 (8.1%), while 147 (4.2%) abstained and 68 (2%) were invalid votes.

Based on the results, the student council held a press conference at 2 p.m. Thursday at the university's main gate, demanding that student opinions be reflected in the co-ed transition decision. The council plans to deliver the voting results directly to the university president.

"Students, who make up the largest proportion of campus members, had their opinions calculated at a 1:1:1:1 ratio alongside staff, faculty, and alumni in the recommendation," the student council said. "This means the opinions of approximately 23 students carried the same weight as one staff member."

The university responded Wednesday, stating that "the 1:1:1:1 ratio among faculty, students, staff, and alumni in this co-ed transition deliberation was a democratic attempt to allow all university members to participate equally in decision-making." The administration maintained that the process followed democratic procedures.

The university will hold a briefing session on the "Dongduk Women's University Development Plan," which includes discussion of the co-ed transition, at 2 p.m. on January 15.