Handbook

In the general information section of the "A Pocketful of Rules" guidebook are rules on sunbathing, evening walks, and laundry for women. Female students were allowed to sunbathe but only in designated areas, determined by House Council representatives. Female students were "strongly urged" not to take evening walks after dark unaccompanied and laundromats were available to all female students.

The Women's Interdormitory Council mandated all female students to follow an "honor code." The honor code regulated dormitory life and states that students are responsible for reporting themselves and any other woman in violation of dormitory policies. Demerits and loss of special privileges, (such as overnight guests and weekend privileges) served as penalties for infractions of dormitory rules. The Women's Interdormitory Council determined other penalties, not listed in the guidebook, they deemed appropriate based on occurrence of infractions, severity, and consistency of infraction.

This picture and poem is the last page of "A Pocketful of Rules" pamphlet given out at the start of the academic year to every freshman girl. The poem reads, "Sunday's Lady, Sweet and Quiet, Saves her Strength for Monday's Riot."

Notice: she does not have a mouth!

Female students were required to abide by an 11p.m. curfew during the week and a 1a.m. curfew during the weekend. If a female student was going to violate the mandated curfew it was expected that she call in advance to warn the House Resident of her late arrival to the dorm. Exceptions were made to the curfew if there was an all-college dance, vacation, days proceeding examination periods, and finally if a student received special permission by the Dean of Women. At curfew, attendance was taken and halls were locked. Special permission was needed then to leave the dormitory hall.

After reading "A Pocketful of Rules" pamphlet, freshman female students were required to sign an "honor code" statement. By signing the honor code statement, female students acknowledged that they understood the rules and regulations concerning dormitory life and promised to uphold the "integrity of the dormitory community." This statement was included in "A Pocketful of Rules" pamphlet given at the start of each academic year.

The constitution of the Women's Interdormitory Council outlines rules and regulations for elections, membership, officers, meetings, amendment process, and details the duties of officers as well of the organization.

“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 proper, mature female behavior.

The Women's Student Government Association of Dickinson College sought to "enact and enforce laws in accordance with the agreement between the official administration  of Dickinson College and the women students of Dickinson and to transact any business pertaining thereto." This constitution, printed in the student handbook of 1923, included information on membership, meetings, the executive, lesgislative, and  judicial departments, dues, amendment rules and by-laws. The senate board was comprised of the following women:  

This is the first mention of a "Women's Glee Club" in the 1923-24 student handbook, published by the Christian organizations. According to the handbook, the "women's glee club is analogous to the men's glee club" and gives several recitals throughout the academic year.

In the 1922 constitution and by-laws of the Women's Student Government Association, printed in the student handbook, is the inclusion of a "motto." The motto, "good morals and good behavior" is a new addition to the constitution since its initial creation in 1921. The rest of the constitution contains information on membership, meetings, the executive, lesgislative, and judicial departments, dues, amendment rules and by-laws.