1880-1889

The February 1888 Dickinsonian describes the arrival of co-education at Dickinson and its positive impact all over the country. The brief commentary in the Dickinsonian details how the term "Co-ed" has become the "familiar abbreviation applied to the lady students." Since there is now this "growing demand for female education" it indicates in society a "progressive spirit in this age of enlightenment." Because of co-education's growing acceptance, the Dickinsonian affirms that now at the best colleges, boys and girls are both permitted to drink from the same fountain of learning."

The January 1888 Dickinsonian presents in its article on the gymnasium opening a paragraph about a toast offered in honor of the co-eds. Mr. Webbert, the class president of the sophomores, toasts co-education and remarked with regret upon his "bachelor class" as having no co-eds.

The "Locals" section of the October 1887 Dickinsonian contains a brief spoof on a graduate who was against co-education. "Crooks" from the class of 1889 was notorious for speaking out against co-education, but as the Dickinsonian had noted, Crooks was now attending Wellesley, a women's college. The Dickinsonian comments upon how Crooks was always "considered to be a bitter foe of co-education...but here appears a mysterious inconsistency...[he] has become a "co-ed" at Wellesley."

"Advice to the Freshman" is a piece written in the 1887 October Dickinsonian, giving some tips to the incoming freshman class. One part of the piece gives advice to the freshman women about their appearances.

"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."

The July 1886 Dickinsonian shows that Zatae Longsdorff was a participant in the Junior Oration Contest. The Dickinsonian states that it could hardly be called a contest because of the fact that "the members of the class organization...refused to take any part whatever in it when the two persons outside of the organization had made known their intention of contesting." One of these two people is of course Zatae Longsdorff. Despite the protests against much of the Junior class participating, the Dickinsonian states that "the contest as a whole was good."

The February 1886 Dickinsonian shows once again that the Freshmen are in a heated debate over co-education. Within the past few days both sides of the class, the co-ed and anti-co-ed, have had "several dreadful encounters."

The January 1886 Dickinsonian mentions one of the advantages of women receiving an education. This advantage is that it makes them independent, or in "homely phraseology 'able to hoe their own row'."This case of independence has become manifested in the college's co-eds by the community's observation of them.

The January 1886 Dickinsonian mentions in the "Locals" section about a memorable day, according to a "Dr. H." On January 21st, he called for the first time a co-ed up to translate Hebrew. The Professor gave her a '9' for her good work, and did not substitute an '8' in its place when she walked away.

In the 1885 December Dickinsonian, "Gussie" warns against the Co-eds. He calls Co-eds "a thing of recent invention and dangerous to meddle with." Gussie also advises other men that it is impolite to "call sixteen times a week at the same house."