As of next fall, women’s studies at the U officially becomes gender studies?catching up with the more inclusive and progressive material it teaches, according to Associate Director Debra Burrington.

The department anticipates the change will make some men more comfortable taking its courses, she said.

She estimates women comprise 98 percent of departmental majors and minors. However, U graduation requirements, in the form of the diversity credit, draw in many male students to certain women’s studies courses.

The name change comes late to the U. The department has essentially taught gender studies for the past decade, and increasingly, universities around the country are making similar changes.

Majors and minors whose diplomas face?or escape?involuntary alteration, respond with mixed emotions.

“I’m so excited about the name change, but I am glad my degree will say ‘women’s studies,'” said Marisa Black who plans to graduate this May. To Black, those words represent a unique role for women?whom academia has a history of overlooking.

More men in women’s studies bring mixed blessings for Mitch Maio, himself a women’s studies student. Men must get involved if society is ever to see change, he said. On the other hand, completely co-ed classes might threaten the unique female-dominated environment invaluable to his education.

“It’s not just by default that women’s studies courses are predominantly female in number. It’s also by design,” Burrington said. But as a teacher, she disagrees with that approach. “I like the presence of men because I think discussion is part of what’s needed to begin making certain social changes.”