An English Tudor-style house stands out among the towering residence halls that line West 11th Avenue. This oddity is Fechko House, part of the Alumnae Scholarship Housing, the only all-women residence hall.
The ASH program is a cooperative learning experience started in 1935 to provide housing for women. There are three houses that constitute ASH: Fechko, Hanley and Pomerene houses. Each house has 16 to 18 women, providing for a smaller, intimate atmosphere.
“The atmosphere is just a cozy one where you can walk in, put your feet up and relax,” said Jacque Raymond, ASH representative for Hall Council.
“You get a great discount on paying for school, great community and everyone looks out for one another,” she said.
The benefits include a $1,000 housing-fee discount in comparison with other residence halls and the campus community.
“I feel the community here is tight-knit, whereas in coed dorms there’s a lot more competition between women for male attention. The all-girl environment leads to a friendlier atmosphere,” said Katy McAfee, a senior in theater.
“You get better food, you don’t have to rely on the commons for meals and (you are) able to focus academically because the environment is calm and more conducive to learning,” McAfee said.
Because the ASH experience made her more inclined to female friendships, McAfee said she missed out on friendships with the opposite sex. Single-sex living, coed and individual living are all important to personal development, she said. She would recommend the experience to other girls because she has grown from the friendships.
Admittance into the ASH program is based on financial need and scholastic achievement. Returning students need a 2.8 grade point average or higher to be considered for the program.
“Now it’s going to be harder to get into the ASH program because ASH is the only all-women’s option since Canfield Hall is now coed,” said Jimmy Nicholson, hall director for Canfield and ASH.
“Ninety-eight percent of the women stay. This is a very high retention rate, and if they leave, it’s to live on a floor or an apartment – not because of a bad experience,” he said.
The ASH board has renovated Hanley and Pomerene houses to retain more women.
“Pomerene and Hanley both have a stained-glass window, and the interior designer used this window for inspiration,” Nicholson said.
Pomerene has had the most work done to it with a refinished basement, new flooring, drop ceiling, linoleum and new lighting.
“It was a really scary basement. Now it’s a beautiful space,” Nicholson said.
Hanley and Pomerene were reinvented with a new dining room, furniture, painted living rooms and diverse artwork.
The ASH Board encourages the residents to exceed the minimum 2.8 GPA. They help the women concentrate on their studies, instead of financial burdens, by providing opportunities for additional scholarships.
The goal is to create a living space where women can learn from each other, and both McAfee and Raymond agree that the initial objective is being lived out.
“I think they envisioned females that could find equality or develop into equality. McAfee said as a house and campus we have evolved into equality and have gained strength through this program.”
