Humor

Professor Forgets About Females

Date
October, 1885

In the "Locals" section of the 1885 October Dickinsonian, a quote by a professor about co-ed classes was published. Forgetting that classes are now comprised of males and females, Doctor Harman addressed the class, "Next gentleman" and was teased by the class.

"Will the Co-Eds Wear Them?" at the Prep School

Date
December, 1884

The December 1884 issue of the Dickinsonian mentions in its "Locals" section a brief humorous statement about the Preparatory School and the co-eds. Apparently, the new Prep class will be wearing blue Turkish fezzes with red tassels, but the big question is, "Will the co-eds wear them?"

?, A "Questionable" Show

Date
1910

The 1910 Microcosm comments upon the show that the women of the college were to put on. All of the advertisements, tickets, etc., were punctuated with question marks, leaving the theme of the show open to much speculation by its audience. The program declared that the entertainment was to be presented by the Y.W.C.A., which some men thought it meant "Young Women Can't Act" but were made to think differently. The first act was a comedic piece titled "Mrs. Oakley's Telephone" about the many conversations between various characters that takes place on this one telephone.

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!"

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.

"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.

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.