Sometimes, evening entertainment consists of student speeches about personal lives, a current events topic or advocating a position. Other times, students go for a jog, a bike ride or play soccer or other sports.

But because they can't leave the valley and because the options for activities are limited, some students feel constrained.

The issue of whether to include women in the student body has loomed heavily over the school's 90-year history, particularly in the past few decades.

In the early 1990s, the college Board of Trustees, made up of current and former students and faculty, considered making the school coed, according to Andrew McCreary, 20, one of two current student members on the board.

But at the time, facing a financial crisis and polls showing the school's alumni evenly split on the issue, the board feared alienating half of its donor base, he said.

The board vowed to revisit the issue after the school was on better financial footing. Now, after a capital campaign raised more than $15 million, most people believe the board can bring up the issue in the next couple of years.

Katie Peterson, one of the few female faculty members at the college, describes herself as a staunch feminist and would like to see women enroll. But the male-only aspect of the school breeds gentlemen, she believes. Peterson is not related to the college president.

Despite the prestigious reputation of schools where Deep Springs students go, Peterson said she believes students are often disappointed after they transfer.

"They'll never have an experience as honest or as thoughtful as they will have here," she said.

Information from: Las Vegas Review-Journal, http://www.lvrj.com

- Associated Press