Pocketful of Rules

"Saturday is Gay and Merry..."

Date
September 1964

Included in all of the "A Pocketful of Rules" guidebook ais a series of pictures and poems. This poem reads, "Saturday is gay and Merry, Sue will dine with Gin and Sherry"

Sunbathing, Evening Walks, and Laundry

Date
September 1964

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.

Infractions of Rules

Date
Spetember 1964

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.

A Pocketful of Rules

Date
September 1964

“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.