I consider it a privilege and a pleasure to have so many young women and men nearby at the University with whom we can share discussions on many issues, including change over time.

Often, when comparing the norms of today to those of my own college years in the 1960s, women students especially are aghast at the restrictions that the women then endured.

Can anyone today imagine being told when they must sign in at night, who may or may not visit your dorm room and what constituted proper attire for the dining hall?

Although I doubt, happily, that such specific situations would reoccur, I believe that the recent priority status afforded the men's basketball team over the Lady Lions gives us all reason to pause.

Repeatedly, I have heard that the final decision was based mainly on attendance figures (i.e. financial concerns). When administrators continue to support men's sports in such a manner, the argument becomes circular.

There is no doubt that Rec Hall would overflow for the Lady Lions if only this University would make the commitment that it would happen.

In the meantime, the most vital lesson to be learned is for every woman in this University: you must support each other.

Don't wait for or count on some future benevolence to achieve equality. Understand that the distance traveled and the goals attained since the 1960s are not givens or endpoints.

As is evident today, women must remain vigilant or those hard-won achievements will be lost.