1968: The Global Revolutions

While a spirit of revolution was sweeping across campuses in 1968, Barnard students enjoyed limited freedom. Students had to sign in and out of the dorms, and their doors had to be kept open “the width of a book” when male visitors were present. There were curfews, and restrictions on the times when men could enter the buildings. Many women spoke out, demanding that Columbia admit women (a goal not achieved until 1983), and insisting on reproductive rights, and other equal opportunities. Beyond these efforts, organizers on campus worked for economic equality in the form of workplace protections and affirmative action for women.