Microcosm

Lloyd Hall Alma Mater

Date
1910

The 1910 Microcosm publishes this song titled the "Lloyd Hall Alma Mater" for the ladies who reside in the women's dormitory. The song's main theme is about bells and how they are found in all aspects of women's lives. From calling bells to door bells to wedding church bells, their life is "beginning and ending with bells."

"Twas the Night Before Prayer Day" and Not a Lady Could Be Found...

Date
1910

"The Night Before Prayer Day" is a humorous poem about the women's decision not to have male escorts to the Prayer Day event, causing quite an uproar on campus. In support of the Women's Suffrage Movement, the co-eds of the class of 1910 decided to escort themselves to Prayer Day, which is scandalous to not be escorted to the church by a male. The male students were trying to force the women to be escorted by them, but instead the women declared that, "We'll leave for the church at half-past ten, but walk with those brutes? O, never again!"

Now She's A Young Suffragette!

Date
1910

"Lest We Forget, the Suffragette" is a satirical piece written for the Microcosm about the Women's Suffrage Movement. The piece begins with all of the women are trying to decide which man they will use as an escort for Prayer Day. After much deliberation and defeat, the women then resolve to go to the Prayer Day event together, leaving the men to go alone.

Lucretia McAnney, Dean of Women and Instructor in Oratory since 1906

Date
1910

The 1910 Microcosm writes up a short paragraph about Mrs. Lucretia Jones McAnney, the Dean of Women and Instructor in Oratory since 1906. Since 1882, Mrs. McAnney has been teaching and studying at schools until she became the Dean of Students in 1906. She would stay the Dean of Women until 1914.

Debate on Co-education

Date
1909

The 1909 Microcosm published a humorous piece, the "Debate on Co-Education: Spirited Riot in Harman Literary Meeting." This piece is about a debate amongst the ladies of the Harman Literary Society on whether co-education is better for women or if it is better for women to study at an all-girl's institution.

"A Maiden Passing Sweet"

Date
1915

The 1915 Microcosm published a short poem entitled "A Maiden Passing Sweet."  The piece describes an otherwise unattractive female, "neither fair of form or face," who is only noticed when she passes a tray of sweets to a gentleman at another co-ed's birthday tea.  

"The Freshman-Sophomore Co-ed Rush"

Date
1909

"The Freshman-Sophomore Co-ed Rush" is a humorous piece in the 1909 Microcosm that pokes fun at the tensions between the Freshman and Sophomore classes. The fight between the two classes broke out because of a Freshman singing and playing a song about their class pride. This causes an outrage amongst the Sophomores and a fight between all the women then ensues. Freshman and Sophomore women are ripping out hairpins and combs, carrying others away and pinning them against the wall. After some time, the Dean of Women, Mrs.

"The Co-Eds, Et Al."

Date
1908

"The Co-Eds, Et Al." is a humorous poem on how co-education changes education in the law school. These women who are studying to become lawyers alongside the men cause them to study and work hard to impress them. Unfortunately for them, the women there are not striving to win a man, but "rather to have a professional name." The poem then goes on to praise each of the five women who are studying law with them and wishes them the best of luck in the future.

Thoughts of Springtime and Co-eds Danced in the Men's Heads

Date
1908

An untitled poem in the 1908 Microcosm discusses how springtime means opportunity for the men of Dickinson College. The springtime turns a young man's fancy to "thoughts of the co-ed hall." Outside of the hall the men will linger "like a bee about the hive, waiting for the honeyed sweetness of the honey-comb inside." These are the "supposed" daily occurrences of the men in springtime at Dickinson College.

Between Lloyd Hall and "A Tight Place"

Date
1908

"A Tight Place" is a poem written about what a man will do for a fellow "inmate of Lloyd Hall" that he has feelings for. Wanting to grab her attention, the man asks her if she can make good fudge. The woman agreed to make some, so long as the man bought her all the supplies needed. Unfortunately for the man, he realized that he had no money in his pockets, being that he was in his Sunday clothes. Kindly, a fellow female friend lent him the money needed, rather than one of his male friends. The man successfully bought all the necessary items, and the girl never found out about his plight.