President Boyd Lee Spahr addressed the issue of housing for women in his report to the Board of Trustees. He proposed the use of East College as a women's dormitory in addition to Metzger Hall, explaining that these two buildings would house 171 women. He also proposed changing the Gibbs House from a women's dormitory to a residence for male students. The Board of Trustees approved this recommendation.
Dean Ernest A. Vuilleumier reported to the Board of Trustees that the college had rented two fraternity houses (Phi Delta Theta and Beta Theta Pi) in order to provide additional housing for female students. According to Vuilleumier, the return of fraternity members to campus would require that the college develop an alternative form of housing for female students. Therefore, the dean recommended that the college convert East College into a women's dormitory.
The report of the President of the Board of Trustees detailed the special committee's presentation of June 3, 1945 recommending that the new women's dormitory be constrcuted on Mooreland campus and be "adequate to house at least 125 girls." The report explains that female students resided in Metzger Hall, the Gibbs House for seniors, the Parker House, and in two leased fraternity houses. According to the report, the college did not own Metzger Hall, and the college would need to spend a great deal of money to renovate the sixty-year old building.
This photo depicts a woman in a Matthews Hall bedroom, c. 1955. The name of the woman is not known. If you recognize her, feel free to post the information below.
This photo depicts three women relaxing in a Matthews Hall dorm room, c. 1955. The names of the women are not known. If you recognize someone in the photo, feel free to post the information below.
This photo depicts two women relaxing in a Matthews Hall dorm room, c. 1955. The names of the women are not known. If you recognize someone in the photo, feel free to post the information below.
This photo depicts four women in a Witwer Hall bedroom, c. 1965. The names of the women are not known. If you recognize someone in the photo, feel free to post the information below.
This photo depicts four women relaxing in a Witwer Hall common room, c. 1965. The names of the women are not known. If you recognize someone in the photo, feel free to post the information below.
According to the 1963 publication of "Red Tape," female students were expected to abide by strict rules concerning closing hours of dormitory halls. Students were not allowed to leave the dormitory prior to 6:30 am unless special permission was granted by the House Director. Female students were strongly "urged no to be outside her dormitory after dark" unless accompanied by another female student.
Professor Russell I. Thompson strongly urges Board of Trustees President Boyd Lee Spahr to lobby aggressively for the construction of a new women's dormitory, arguing that "Metzger Hall has long since served its purpose." He suggests the building should be sufficient to house 125 to 150 students.