DATE: Wednesday, March 19, 1997             TAG: 9703190558

SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A3   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS 

DATELINE: CHARLESTON, S.C.                  LENGTH:   44 lines

CITADEL BROUGHT IN TOO FEW, TOO FAST, SAYS REPORT OF INTEGRATION

The Citadel brought in too few female cadets too quickly, then insisted they succeed, which led to the hazing scandal that prompted two women to quit, a school-appointed study committee concluded Tuesday.

``We believe the college should have waited a year before bringing them in,'' said former Citadel President James Grimsley. He led the five community leaders who since January have reviewed the plan for admitting women.

The Citadel changed its all-male admissions policy last summer after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled a similar policy at Virginia Military Institute unconstitutional. Six weeks later, four women were marching at The Citadel.

Jeanie Mentavlos and Kim Messer left after the first semester, saying they had been hazed.

They said their clothes were set afire while they wore them and they were forced to drink alcohol and forced to stand in a closet while being shoved and kicked. State and federal authorities are investigating for possible criminal violations.

Two women remain in school.

A year's wait would have allowed more time to recruit more women and to refine the plan that outlines such things as where women live, physical training standards and expected conduct of male cadets, Grimsley said.

The quick decision to admit women was laudable, but also ``a radical change in policy'' giving little time to recruit, the committee said. And emphasis on the women succeeding may have caused resentment, it said.

Given that all freshmen are to be treated equally, the report said, any perceived special treatment ``provided a flash point for those opposed to the admission of women.''

Since the reported hazing, three male cadets have resigned, one was kicked out and 10 received less-severe discipline.

A consultant appointed by U.S. District Judge C. Weston Houck is expected to file a separate report later this week. Gibson said that report will ultimately determine how women are brought into The Citadel.

``It is going to have the attention of the judge and the Justice Department and the people who can really force change,'' he said. KEYWORDS: MILITARY ACADEMIES WOMEN IN THE MILITARY

THE CITADEL

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