Hazing

In a letter dated October 27, 1919, President Morgan wrote Dean Meredith concerned about what he termed "class interference," also known as hazing. Such incidence occurred between sophomore and freshmen women in Metzger Hall.  He asked Dean Meredith to remind the women that a similar situation happened thirteen years earlier and that such behavior would not be tolerated. According to Morgan, such activity would result in expulsion.

Included in the STOP THE VIOLENCE publication, is Dickinson College’s definition of hazing as it appears in the student handbook.  It appears that “the breaking of these rules has become so routine on this campus that most people do not even realize it is against the law.”  On the same page, personal accounts of violent acts, some quite horrific, are included.  The names of all involved are withheld for safety reasons. 
 

President J. H. Morgan wrote to the Dean of Women, Josephine Meredith, about an instance of "class interference" at Metzger Hall informing her of what her actions should be. The President informs Dean Meredith that an incident of the sophomore and freshman classes terrorizing each other had occurred before, about thirteen years ago, and announced that no such interferences would be allowed. Any young woman who would participate in such events would be considered "Wise to withdraw from the College" because it is in the College's interest to keep up a good reputation.

"Hazing at Dickinson" was an article published in the December 1886 Dickinsonian about just that subject. Surprising to the paper, they mention that it is the girls on campus that still participate in hazing. Supposedly one of their methods is to "surprise their victims, bind and gag them" and upset some of the furniture. The paper is so appalled at the female's actions that they call for those who read this article to cut it out and mail it to the females of your household and "instruct them to reform."