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Miss Sarah Gere Yocum, class of 1891, died December 9 in New Orleans.  Yocum painted many articles which she presented to the College, as well as much china which resides in the Dickinsoniana Collection.  Mrs. Helen Horn Jordan of Wilkinsburg, Pa., of the class of 1897, died December 15 in Bedford County Memorial Hospital.  A native of Carlisle,  Jordan was a member of the Gamma Zeta Sorority and the Harman Society while at Dickinson.  She had a "life-long interest in Dickinson and was a Life Member of the General Alumni Association."

Katherine Smith Carpenter, of the class of 1925, was elected president of the Lycoming County Law Association.  After waiting for her three children to go to school, Carpenter went to Dickinson School of Law and graduated in 1937.  She, her husband, and her children all live in Jersey Shore, PA, and her husband, Clyde Carpenter, is also a lawyer.  In addition to household duties and her law career, Carpenter is president of the Lycoming County Girl Scout Council, and does much welfare work in her region.  She is also a grandmother.

 

Elizabeth Bowen, noted British author, is slated to receive an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters at a special April convocation ceremony.  Since her first work, Encounters, Bowen has published a book every two years.  She is the recipient of the Commander of the British Empire award for excellence in literature.  She is also very engaged in reviewing contemporary literature, and takes an interest both in all genres of reading and in various social hobbies, including cinema, painting, and social planning.

Mary Louisse Rogers of the class of 1949 presented a paper before the Philadelphia section of the Society of American Bacteriologists on January 28, 1958.  Her research concerned the potential use of chemicals, or Chemotherapy, in treating cancer. 

Miss Edna Wickersham LaRoss, who first entered the college in 1896, then re-entered in 1938 and graduated in 1939, died of a heart attack at her home in Hummelstown, Pa.  She taught English in Peurto Rico and in Madrid, and was on the faculty of Greenbrier College in West Virginia, the Castle School in New York, and at the Milton Hershey School in Hershey.  She also did graduate work at Columbia University.  She also wrote children's stories and was a member of the D.A.R. and the Spanish-American Teachers Association.  Lina M.

According to the 1958 student handbook, female students were expected to be "mature, poised, and self-reliant. They should show courtesy and consideration to others, and in all their relationships should be friendly, cultured, and forthright." The handbook further outlines instructions on dress (which should be "dignified" and "neat"), speech (which should be "calm and stright-forward, never evasive, boisterous or vulgar") and conduct.

Mrs. Katherine Smith Carpenter of the class of 1925, along with C. Richard Stover of the class of 1936, became the newest members of the Alumni Council at the Council's commencement meeting.  Mrs. Carptenter is the law partner of her husband, Clyde Carpenter, '26, and her son, Clyde, Jr., '48. 

Mrs. Frank F. Taylor, formerly Frances D. Rombach, of the class of 1954, died of a fractured skull and other injuries after her Volksagen crashed into a tree in Morristown, NJ.  She was a member of Pi Beta Phi, active in the Alumni Association, and a member of the Presbyterian Women's Circle in Morristown.  Mrs. Mary Davies Harrigan, of the class of 1924, died in Ridgway, PA, Hospital, where she had been a patient for six weeks.  She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs.

As an annual tradition for five years, the Microcosm selected one female student--based "strictly on beauty"--as the 1959 Miss Microcosm. Unlike 1958, the Microcosm outsourced the selection of Miss Microcosm to James "Maverick" Garner in California. James Garner chose Anne Briner.

A portrait taken the year of her retirement, Mary Buckley Taintor joined the Dickinson faculty in 1928 after receiving her B.A. from Ripon College in 1911, her M.A. from both Ripon and Stanford in 1915 and 1918 respectfully. She also taught French as a member of the Ripon College faculty in 1919.  She studied at Oxford University, at the Sorbonne in Paris, at the University of Grenoble in France, the University of Chicago, Columbia University, and the American Classical School in Rome.

"Inside Information" is the first guidebook published by the Dean of Women office. 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.

According to the Microcosm, the Aquacades was the largest women's organization on campus in 1960. The Aquacades prepared Dickinson's annual water ballet under the direction of Dotti Lee Gayner.

The 1960 Microcosm recruited two judges to select the year's Miss Microcosm. They chose Paula Shedd from among Dickinson's "prettiest girls." Her court included: Shirley Bahrs, Mary Fox, Sonja Gohn, Dottie Gayner, Susan McDowell, Joan Spire, Judith Simoni, and Mary L. Thomson. According to the Microcosm, Paula represents "the ultimate of beauty of Dickinson."

According to the official minutes of Sui Generis, a non-exclusive women's fraternity, the Pan-Hellenic Council established changes to the rush rules for the subsequent semester.  According to the minutes, "There will be free association in South, but no in other eating establishments, riding in cars is OK if two or more sororities are present, double dating with a Freshman and a sorority girl is OK if arranged by the boys, and only one social service project may be advertised on campus."  Pan-Hel also established the length for invitational parties and what food would be served during open

According to the official minutes of Sui Generis, a non-exclusive women's fraternity, in 1960 the members received an award from Phi Beta Kappa for their outstanding scholarship.  Sui Generis had the highest percentage of the Phi Beta Kappa average, a 3.5, of all of the sororities and fraternities on campus.

A poem by Carla Russ (Class of 1964) in The Dickinsonian addressed the lack of activities for female students. Entitled A Pertinent Poem, it begins "Mary, Mary quite contrary, what did you do tonight?" The poem uses four names as inspiration for rhyme schemes (Mary, Jeanie, Pammy, Joanie), posing a question to each character. Their responses are all variations on the same theme, and the last section, which addresses Joanie, complains, "What's legal doesn't meet our needs,/ What's fun is tagged taboo!"

The Dickinsonian reports on the issue of campus rules and surveys student opinions. One fraternity man described the social rules as puritannical. Bill Jones disagreed with the rule regarding women visitors in fraternity houses. According to the article, many students expressed disatisfaction over the "lack of places for couples or mixed groups to meet informally...." Shirley Bahrs complained of the lack of activities on campus, and Betsy Kraft bemoaned the fact that Drayer Hall, a women's dormitory, had no recreation room.

According to an article in The Dickinsonian, the Social Rules Evaluation Committee, formed to address the potential change to social rules, chose to evaluate women's regulations and sorority social regulations. The committee adopted this philosophy for procedure: "The work of this committee is predicted [sic] on the belief that college students are mature, responsible people capable of setting up a sound, acceptable social code of their own and also of enforcing this code upon themselves...."

Seven senior women were tapped to become members of the Wheel and Chain, a local society honoring women with outstanding scholarship, leadership, and service to the college.  The "blue hats" tapped for membership for 1959-1960 include Sandra Deichler, president; Nancy Cross, Marjorie Crowley, Dottie Lee Gayner, Elizabeth Griffith, Merle Tegtmeier, and Carolyn Wherly.   "Blue Hats" serve the college by maintaining a freshman orientation program, mediating between the administration and women students, and promoting an Honor Code on campus. 

Women's sports at Dickinson during 1961 fell under 2 categories: varsity or intramural. Varsity sports included hockey and tennis; whereas intramurals held a wider variety: class volleyball, basketball, bowling, sorority basketball and softball.

The hockey team's record under coach Mrs. Barber was 1-6 and the prospects for tennis looked promising. In regards to intramural class sports, seniors took two titles this year: volleyball and basketball.

The president of Sui Generis, Bobbi Jo Thome, called a special meeting which was attended by the members of Sui Generis as well as Dean Stevens.  The purpose of the meeting was to "examine where we are going and what we are," according to Dean Stevens.  A majority of the discussion revolved around whether or not Sui Generis should be a part of Pan-Hel and the traditional rush process.  Some worried that withdrawing from Pan-Hel would send a stand-offish signal to freshman and independent women, while others felt that continuing to be a part of Pan-Hel created more competition between Sui G

An advertisement in The Dickinsonian for the Fashion House, a store on Pitt Street in Carlisle, offered clothing for men and women. It advertises men's clothing with "For the button-down men: Plaid madras button-down pullover shirt...." For women's clothing, on the other hand, it reads, "For the gals they look at: knee-length madras kitties...."

According to the official minutes of Sui Generis, a local women's sorority with a non-selective policy, the proposal of a Social Rules Evaluation Committee was approved in 1961. The main purpose of the Committee was to create a system of accountability for those members of sororities who were caught drinking.

Panhellenic Council sponsored a traditional Doll Dance, which required one doll or stuffed animal as admission.  Usually held before Christmas, the event was moved to before Easter because of deferred rushing.  Each pledge class of the five women's fraternities would present a skit at the dance.

In a letter to the class of 1891, Elizabeth Anna Low toasts her class and wrote, "A toast to the days at Dickinson, manhood and womanhood developed on principles so sound that they have served a lifetime." Low goes on to mention Zatae Longsdorff and what interesting experiences she must have had.

It is unclear for what occasion Low wrote this letter.

A report released by Dickinson on June 10, 1961 showed the distribution of grades by class, gender, and greek organization.  According to the report, the 348 women on campus maintained an overall average of 2.81, while the 721 men had an grade average of 2.35.  Seniors maintained the highest average with a 2.82, while freshman had the lowest, a 2.21.  Sui Generis was the greek organization with the highest average, a 3.0, and they were closely by Phi Mu and Pi Beta Phi with 2.97 and 2.89 respectively.

"Inside Information" is the first guidebook published by the Dean of Women office. 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.

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.

An article in The Dickinsonian, "New Social Rules Changes Result from SREC Efforts," explained some of the changes adopted that the Social Rules Evaluation Committee proposed, including unchaperoned visiting hours for women in fraternity houses as well as more permissive visiting policies for men in sorority houses. The SREC's proposals also resulted in increased late hours and car privileges for upperclass women with a minimum grade point average.

During the Presidents' Council (Women's Interdormitory Council) meeting of October 4, 1961 a variety of suggestions were put forth in regards to curfew and rules, particularly those within the rule book/advice guide given to women students-Dis 'N Data:

An advertisement in The Dickinsonian for the Fashion House on Pitt Street reads "lucky linda pearsall...you, you lucky doll,  have won our Dalton cashmere cardigan...pop in anytime and pick it up." The advertisement implies that a female Dickinson student won the cardigan.

During the Presidents' Council (Women's Interdormitory Council) meeting of October 11, 1961 specifics of women’s curfews and the possibilities of taking “late” hours was discussed and debated. Drayer and Biddle Halls put forth dorm specific suggestions:

"Correction to October 4 minutes: When a girl has signed up for two late hours and arrives back at the dorm 19 minutes or less after the first late hour is up, she may take the extra minutes as late minutes rather than take the second late hour.

The editorial staff of The Dickinsonian apologizes to the "Freshman women" for their lack of space in the last issue of the newspaper. According to the note, the Freshman men revolt "overshadowed the frequent and successful efforts of the women to show unity and spirit."

During the Presidents' Council (Women's Interdormitory Council) meeting of October 18, 1961, issues related to the (upcoming) all-campus dance were discussed, including dorm closing procedures and the saftey of women walking home from the dance:

"Other Discussions: Suzy Cooper explained the dorm closing proceedure [sic] on the night of an all-college dance. The Council was asked to think about the problem of girls walking home alone to dorms on the outskirts of campus."

In a humorous column that doubles as a cigarette advertisement, Max Shulman writes about "The Dating Season" and how to treat a girl. In order to treat a girl with respect, he jokes, a gentleman should offer a Marlboro "with its fine flavor and exclusive selectrate filter." He should also listen carefully, take her to nice places like the Bureau of Weights and Measures, and show that he is well-informed. Below the article are the words, "To the list of things girls like, add the king-size, unfiltered Philip Morris Commander."

During the Presidents' Council (Women's Interdormitory Council) meeting of November 1, 1961 the issue of women arriving back late to their dorms due to a class trip was discussed and the question of excusing the "late minutes" was raised, as was possible actions to avoid a similar situation:

During the Presidents' Council (Women's Interdormitory Council) meeting of November 8, 1961 women were advised of how to react when bothered at night:

"Annoucements: Whenever girls are bothered by anyone on the way to their dorms at night, they should report the matter to Dean Wishmeyer immediately."

Max Shulman writes another humorous piece in The Dickinsonian that doubles as a cigarette advertisement. Shulman tells that story of Blossom, an "impecunious freshman at an Eastern girls' college," who would not date due to lack of money.

An advertisement for the Fashion House in The Dickinsonian shows a small illustration of a senior woman holding what we presume to be a checklist. She reads off the list to a sophomore woman: "Villager shirt...check...garland sweater...check...knee skirt...check...." The advertisement indicates that students can purchase these items at the Fashion House with the words "These status symbol clothes at..."

During the Presidents' Council (Women's Interdormitory Council) meeting of November 15, 1961, the Council discussed a variety of topics including women excusing missed classes with illness and then going out, "late permissions" for women Mermaid Players working on productions, "appropriate" dress for campus functions, and prescription drug sharing:

"Sickness and Illness Excuses: Presidents' Council discussed the problem of girls receiving illness 
excuses from a house director to cut classes during the day and then going out that night. It was 

An advertisement in The Dickinsonian for the Hazel Hoyaux Beauty Salon reads "Girls: Even-Tan Sun Lamp before the dance gives you that desirable glow."

During the Presidents' Council (Women's Interdormitory Council) meeting of December 13, 1961, it was mentioned that the Council had been offered and declined membership to an un-named national women's organization:

• "National Women's Government: The president mentioned receiving a letter inviting Presidents' Council to join a national women's government organization. It was decided this had no real benefits to offer and would cost $25 that was not available."

An article in The Dickinsonian entitled "Sororities: A Time for Self-Analysis" examines the role and possibility for continuance of sororities. According to the article, sorority women are just as likely to befriend women who are not sisters due to the living arrangements for female students at Dickinson.

The 1962 Microcosm presents the year's Miss Microcosm at the front of the yearbook rather than the end, as was the case prior to this date. The Microcosm claims that this year is the first in which students' votes elected Miss Microcosm and her court. The 1962 Miss Microcosm was Chi Omega Sweetheart and married student Gwen Steege, who the Microcosm listed as having "fair features, feminine grace, and charm of personality...." The runners-up included Brenda Sadler, Barbara Duvall, Carnie Green, Lynn Davis, Barbara Geyer, Ginny Sutton, and Ginny Krueger.

During the Presidents' Council (Women's Interdormitory Council) meeting of January 10, 1962 several important issues were brought up involving dress code, curfews, and late permissions, as well as women smoking:

 

 

During the Presidents' Council (Women's Interdormitory Council) meeting of January 31, 1962, the issue of "improper dress" was raised and it was mentioned that two girls had been forced to leave Dickinson (expelled) after being out of their dorm overnight without permission. In addition, it was decided that a change in smoking policies for women was not necessary: 

 

An article from The Evening Sentinel on Feb. 8, 1962 announces the groundbreaking of a new women's dorm to be built on South College St. It was scheduled to be finished by August 1963 for the new academic year. It would have 125 rooms and would cost $850,000.

The Sentinel newspaper in 1962 documented the progress of the building of the new women's dorm, Adams Hall, at the ground breaking ceremony. The newspaper mentions that the 125-room dorm will cost around $850,000 and is to be completed by August 1963. Among the people involved in the ceremony was the dean of women, Barbara Wishmeyer, as well as three students from the women's dormitory committee.

An inset in The Dickinsonian pokes fun at coeducation in a fictional conversation between a coed and a male student.

D-son coed: (Smarting) Where would this college be without girls?

D-son man: (Cool) Penn Hall and Wilson.

Max Shulman writes "The Many Loves of Thorwald Dockstader," a humorous story of a male student's dating escapades, to double as an advertisement for Marlboro cigarettes in The Dickinsonian. Thorwald decides to "take up" girls, and instead of selecting the first girl who comes along, "he sampled." He dates three different girls: an English major who writes a poem for him, a physical education major who exercises with him, and a "non-major" named Totsi who loves to eat.