University policy on coeducation, however, was somewhat more flexible. Though President Stephen W. Taylor’s daughter had sat in one of her father’s classes in the 1850’s it was not until 1876 that a woman was granted freshman status. In 1881, on recommendation of President Dodge and James B. Colgate the Trustees voted that
while we do not hold out any encouragement for women to connect
themselves with the University yet we will allow them to enjoy the
privileges of the classroom on payment of the tuition fees without
recognizing them in any way as members of the University.
Soon, at least five were enrolled in the Academy and there is some evidence that a few others came later. Mrs. Mabel Dart Colegrove, who had already completed all but one semester of college work at Madison before transferring to Vassar in 1882, recalled that Dr. Dodge favored coeducation and that there was even discussion of building a