Drayer Hall

The members of the student feminist organization, E.F.F.O.R.T. (Equality for Females: Our Rights Today), planned to hold the Second Annual Women's Party in the Drayer Lounge on Friday, April 15.  The purpose of the party was "to create more unity among women" at Dickinson. The program included a reading about the unity of women and music provided by students Lori McCreary and Melanie Lowe.  According to this Dickinsonian article, E.F.F.O.R.T. was a student group established in the Fall of 1981 by Pat Carter as "an activist group that would investigate the role of women . . .

 

During the Presidents' Council (Women's Interdormitory Council) meeting of February 6, 1963, women of all dorms (except, for some reason, Drayer and Metzger) were advised of what could be considered acceptable footwear for bad-weather days: 

 

 

During the Presidents' Council (Women's Interdormitory Council) meeting of November 14, 1962, residents of Drayer and their (male) visitors were issued a rebuke about behavior in the dorm:

 

• "Drayer Report: "Residents of Drayer and their visitors are reminded to act like ladies and gentlemen" 

 

 

During the Presidents' Council (Women's Interdormitory Council) meeting of April 11, 1962, members of the Dining Room committee decided that women could continue smoking in Morgan and Drayer. In addition, the representatives of Metzger requested permission to wear bathing suits while sunbathing. Additionally, residents were requested not to bring chicks into their dorm rooms and House Directors complained about casual clothes:

 

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: 

 

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.

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:

In a letter dated February 1, 1952, Charles Coleman Sellers wrote to Elizabeth Anna Low to convey his excitement after reading her memoir "I was a Coed." He explaineed that he "hoped to publish it later in the year, when the Women's dormitory [Drayer Hall] is dedicated."

This memo outlines the cost of furnishing a female student's room in Drayer Hall. Interesting to note that in addition to a bed, mattress, a chair with desk, female students also had the use of an arm chair, two lamps, a waste basket and a pillow! The total cost is $253.60, which in 1952 had the same (2009) buying power as 2046.56 US dollars.

Drayer Hall, the first major building built by the college on the Benjamin Rush campus, was also the first building to be constructed with the women of the college in mind.  An unidentified newspaper clipping anticipates a successful celebration for the dedication of the women's dormitory.  The "celebration will be the first in the long history of the college arranged entirely for honoring Dickinson women."  The Women's Day festivities include high ranking guest speakers, a luncheon, the distribution of honorary degrees to "eight outstanding women" by co-ed student sponsors, and tours of th