In her "Women as Leaders" survey, a female member of the class of 1961 describes the living conditions for the women while she studied at Dickinson. She felt they were "excellent, with variety available." The women had meals served to them, along with tablecloths, proper "dressing" for meals, etc. She called mealtime "an oasis with close friends twice a day."
An article by Diane Voneida in The Dickinsonian, "Women Dormitory Residents Vote to Accept Honor Code," explains that over 89 percent of freshman, sophomore, and junior women voted in favor of adopting the honor code at dormitory meetings. The dean of women, Barbara Wishmeyer, approved of the students' decisions, thinking that it would create a more healthy attitude and atmosphere on campus. Under this code, women could appeal rules they thought unfair rather than disobeying them outright. The code also required personal responsibility from each woman for her own behavior.
In her memoir recounting her time at Dickinson, Elizabeth Low remembers the first space soley for female students at Dickinson College. According to Low, the room was on the first floor of Bosler, next to the chapel. According to Low, the room was created after Dr. Reed became the President of the College.
Dickinson College planned to replace Metzger Hall, former home of the co-eds, with the new women's dormitory at the start of the Fall quarter. The building could house 168 women and would have 77 double rooms, 8 single rooms, and two triples. The dormitory had a center core of bathrooms and laundry facilities; rooms were equipped with built-in desks and bulletin boards along the side wall.
An article in The Dickinsonian explained that construction on the new women's dormitory was ahead of schedule and was expected to be ready for the next year's class. Ground-breaking for the new dormitory took place on February 8, 1962, and the administration chalked up the early completion to good summer weather and the work of the construction company. The residence hall would have 125 rooms, suites for two house mothers, an air-conditioned recreation room, and a dining hall for 250 people. A federal loan and college funds would pay for the project.
In her memoir recounting her time at Dickinson, Elizabeth Low remembers the day she became a boarder of Miss Annie Rhoads who lived on the corner of West and Pomfret Streets. Low wrote that she "lost no time" and immediately went to speak to Miss Rhoads so as to secure the room. Consequently, Low had no time to discuss her decision with the other female students. Low explained, "The change was so quickly accomplished that I had not told the Junior and Sophomore co-eds, but they soon found out and came round to inspect my room.
Under the "rooms" section of the student handbook of 1949-50, is a description of material items provided by the college to female and male students. Female students were supplied with "the necessary furniture, and rugs, curtains, bureau covers, waste baskets, and lamp." Male students were supplied with "all the necessary heavy furniture, such as, beds, study table, dressers, waste basket, a study light, and chairs." Female students were cautioned not to bring electrical items nor post pictures to the walls.
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An article in The Dickinsonian reported that the college planned to build another new dormitory for women over the next two years, beginning in February. The financial vice-president, Dr. Shuman, explained that the building was made possible by a $675,000 government loan.
The Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees decided to defer naming the new Women's Dormitory until the Mid-Winter meeting fo the Board in December 1951.
President William W. Edel reported to the Board of Trustees that the Building Committee had secured bids for the new Women's Dormitory and had signed a contract with the Potteiger Company for $642,955. The college held ground-breaking activities at Homecoming Day on November 4, 1950.