Social codes/rules

Women and Fraternity Dances

Date
circa 1920

This essay by Dean Meredith outlined the problems faced when women attended fraternity dances. She argued that such dances were chaperoned however, before and after the dance was not. Often women would to travel to such events and it was impossible to watch them all the time. Thus, improper behavior occured between men and women.

Dickinson College Women and Soldiers

Date
circa 1920

In a letter to Dean Filler, Dean Meredith explained the College's policy on female students' relations with men of the War College. According to Dean Meredith, the female students often go to the War College to entertain the soldiers. However, there is a strict rule that prohibits women from "entertaining a young man not of the student body without special permission from the Dean of Women." She further explains that such a ruling is not "against the Uniform" but rather against a "chance acquaintance."

 

 

Female Students Skip Gym Class, 1920

Date
April 6, 1920

In a letter to Dean Meredith dated April 6, 1920, President Morgan informed the Dean of Women that many female students have been absent from gym class. He wrote that "many of the young women are evading physical exercise. Professor Sellers, for the Absence Committee, says that he gets altogether too many excuses for sickness, but in most cases he feels some hesitation about probing too closely." Thus, President Morgan decided that excuses for gym class must be approved by Dean Meredith before being accepted.

Chaperons and Dances, 1920

Date
January 15, 1920

In a letter addressed to Dean Meredith, an unidentified woman discussed the rules regarding dance chapersones. The woman argued that the female staff of the college must chaperone the dances. They will take turns doing so and must be notified by the organization or indivdual hosting the dance. Morevoer, she argues that women who do not live in Metzger Hall should be subject to the same rules as the women living on campus. She suggests that their parents could be notified and should enforce such rules.

Dean Meredith Prohibits Female Students from Attending the Leap Year Dance

Date
circa 1920

In a letter to President Morgan, Dean Meredith explained how she prohibited the women of Dickinson College from attending the Leap Year Dance. According to the letter, the dance was not held on Dickinson College's campus and was in the evening. For these reasons, Dean Meredith opposed the event. In the end, Miss. Mildred Conklin (Class of 1920) spoke with the women and they decided not to go and hold to the rules of the Student Government.

President Morgan Advises Dean Meredith to Alter the Rules for Women at Metzger Hall

Date
November 4, 1919

In a letter dated November 4, 1919, President Morgan writes to Dean Meredith regarding the rules of conduct for women at Metzger Hall after viewing them in a copy of the yearbook. Morgan argues that the present system of self-governance among the women is most desireable. However, he is concernd that the rules in place are lax and "too loosely drawn." This is particularly evident in reference to the rules regarding Hall absences.

President Morgan Advises Dean Meredith to Put a Stop to Hazing among Female Students at Metzger Hall

Date
October 27, 1919

In a letter dated October 27, 1919, President Morgan wrote Dean Meredith concerned about what he termed "class interference," also known as hazing. Such incidence occurred between sophomore and freshmen women in Metzger Hall.  He asked Dean Meredith to remind the women that a similar situation happened thirteen years earlier and that such behavior would not be tolerated. According to Morgan, such activity would result in expulsion.

Association to Promote Co-Education

Date
1896

This association promoted Co-Education. It demanded that every member call on the Ladies Hall twice a week and would ensure that doors would be opened for female students, as well as providing them with escorts.

Telephone Usage 1944

Date
October 1, 1944

Telephone usage was only allowed during specified times during the day. The only phone in Metzger Hall was located in the Dean of Women's office.

Regulations: Absence from Meals

Date
October 1944

Like the permission form for missing meals, this document lists the reasons for permission and the ways to get permission to miss a meal.

PERMISSION, Reason for: 1) We want to be able to locate students at once.

2) We want to be able to protect you against mistaken reports'

3) We want to avoid unnecessary work.

4) We want to avoid wasting your ration points.

NOTE: Permission to be absent from meals is also permission for you to be somewhere else. It is not merely a way of accounting for an empty place in the dining room.