Joyce Rinehart Anderson (class of 1945) shares in an interview the effect of World War II on her life as a female student. She had been engaged to someone from Dickinson College who was killed in May (she does not specify the year) in Okinawa. Anderson says that the "war hit me real hard because the guy I expected to be married to was killed."

The Male:Female ratio within the Dickinson Faculty was very disproportionate. In this picture you see Josephine B. Meredith - Dean of Women and English; Sophie Louise de Vilaine - French faculty; and Hazel Jane Bullock - French faculty as the only women amongst an otherwise entirely male faculty.

The "Dickinson Marching Song" was introduced by the Glee Club under the direction of Professor C. E. Wass, and presented to the entire student body.

The song was written and composed by Mrs. Helen Hall Bucher of Boiling Springs, PA - the mother of Helen Bucher Malcolm, who died before graduating but would have been part of the class of 1915.

 

 

Joyce Rinehart Anderson (Class of 1945) reports in an interview that the dean of women, Josephine Brunyate Meredith, locked her in the infirmary when she was sick. The dean feared that Joyce had scarlet fever, but Joyce claims that, in locking her in the infirmary without care, they "practically killed me." According to Anderson, not only did this quarantine cost her a semester in college, but it also led to other problems later in her life.

In the 1923 meeting of the Board of Trustees, the issue of club expenses was discussed. In the end, the Trustees decided to divide cost based on gender.

Joyce Rinehart Anderson (Class of 1945) describes in an interview how women began to publish the Dickinsonian when male students left for World War II. According to Anderson, male students ran and published the Dickinsonian prior to the start of the war. Anderson deems her experience as a copy editor for the newspaper as a "very valuable part of my education." Anderson recalls not only editing other students' articles but also writing articles herself. She worked for other publications post-graduation.

On June 4, 1923, Trustee Boyd Lee Spahr asked that the Board of Trustees return to the 1917 discussion on a quota on female students. He argued that the number of female students should be limited to 125 beginning in the 1924-25 school year. Disagreeing with Spahr, Trustee Walter Sounders contended that the number of female students should be capped at 25% of total enrollment. The Board agreed with Sounders and the amended motion was carried.

According to "Inside Information" a guidebook for women published by the Dean of Women's office, there were four national sororities on campus, Phi Mu, Pi Beta Phi, Chi Omega, and Zeta Tau Alpha as well as a group known as the Independent Women. The Independent Women was a social group of women that chose not to participate in the greek system.

"Extra-Curricular" is a section in "Inside Information" a guidebook for women published by the Dean of Women's Office. This section encourages female students to get involved in activities outside of their academic life but cautions them "not to swallow every bit of college at once." Meaning, to fight temptation and only join one or two activities that they can "follow with genuine support and worthwhile contribution."

From Head to Toe is a section in "Inside Information," a guidebook for women published by the Dean of Women's Office in 1962. This section provides information on appropriate dress, stating, "the stylish coed is the one who has an eye for those things in which she looks best. To be stylish does not necessarily mean to attract attention. " Other suggestions include, wearing sturdy shoes, having proper rain attire, not wearing ankle-length skirts (because an individual might have to run to class), and finally to be meticulous about one's appearance.

"...and that's what you are!" A Young Man's Fancy is a section in "Inside Information," a guidebook for women published by the Dean of Women's Office, that provides suggestions to women on "respectable dating." This section offers suggestions on appropriate date clothing (which should be neat and clean-at all times), suggestions on proper behavior (that will ensure a great report to his friends), and suggestions on suitable social graces.

On motion of. W. L. Woodcock seconded by C. W. Prettyman, the Board of Trustees decided to repair and "put in tenatable condition" the old women's dormitory, Lloyd Hall. The motion was authorized.

On June 21, 1919, Trustee Boyd Lee Spahr moved that, "beginning with the academic year 1919-1920, the number of women students admitted to each incoming Freshman Class shall not exceed 25% of the total number of Freshman of the preceding year." Trustess L.W. Johnson and E.M. Biddle Jr. moved to amend the motion by waiting until the 1920-1921 school year. James H Morgan and Frank. B. Lynch moved to table the whole matter. After a vote, the resolution was tabled.

On motion of Trustee Frank Lynch in 1918, the president of the College was allowed to hire female faculty members. The president was allowed to do so if, "it seems to the President of the College that better service can be secured by the employment of one or more women as instructors."

On motion of Frank C. Bolser, the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees was authorized to sell Lloyd Hall, the former women's dormitory. The Trustees wanted at least $5000 for the building.      

In 1914, on motion of Issac McCurley, the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees secured the lease of Metzger College. Metzge College was to be the new dormitory for female students. The motion was seconded by Charles K. Zug.

"Inside Information" is a guidebook published by the Dean of Women office, starting in 1955. This guidebook provides rules and regulations for dormitory life, guidelines for social life, proper dress and manners, suggestions for academic success, information on sororities, and independents. "Inside Information" was sent to freshmen students prior to the start of the academic year. This edition was distributed in 1962.

On June 9, 1913, the Board of Trustees received a letter from the "girls of Lloyd Hall," demanding the Trustees acknowledge the poor conditions in which the women lived. In particular, the women mentioned the unsanitary conditions, the crowding, and the poor ventilation. Moreover, the women assert that the, "absence of fire escapes make Lloyd Hall a veritable death trap." The women asked that the building be renovated for the next school year.

“A Pocketful of Rules”, one of the various pamphlets published by the
Women’s Interdormitory Council in conjunction with the Dean of Women,
dictated the rules, regulations, and “proper behavior” that all women
attending Dickinson College were required to adhere to. First published
in 1964, “A Pocketful of Rules,” specifically outlined procedures and
rules of behavior that women were expected to follow in their dormitory
life and translate into their social life. It was particularly created
to target first year women and guide their adolescent behavior into

“A Pocketful of Rules”, one of the various pamphlets published by the
Women’s Interdormitory Council in conjunction with the Dean of Women,
dictated the rules, regulations, and “proper behavior” that all women
attending Dickinson College were required to adhere to. First published
in 1964, “A Pocketful of Rules,” specifically outlined procedures and
rules of behavior that women were expected to follow in their dormitory
life and translate into their social life. It was particularly created
to target first year women and guide their adolescent behavior into