The Dickinsonian discusses the changes resulting from having a sophomore (rather than freshman) year sorority and fraternity rush. 250 women rushed the five on-campus sororities.
A photo of Homecoming Queen candidates is posted in the issue of Dickinsonian. Surprisingly a male, Philip Cohen, representing the Women's Group was running as a candidate.
The other candidates were:
-Nancy Wells(Kappa Sigma)
-Phillip Cohen(Women's Group)
-Sherry Allshouse(Adams Hall)
-Brenda Liebowitz(SAE)
-Kate Wilhelm(Phi Delt)
-Susie Martin(Phi Psi)
-Charlene Vees(Phi Ep)
-Connie Pifer(Theta Chi)
-Evelyn Reback(Sigma Chi)
-Sandy Smith(Crow)
-Penney Ross(Beta)
Beta Theta Pi, one of Dickinson's earliest fraternities, considered admitting Zatae Longsdorff into their fraternity. According to the minutes of April 17, 1885, "Miss Zata Longsdorf was discussed as a fit subject for the bond of fellowship but her case was dismissed." The discussion of her admittance was brief.
Dean Ernest A. Vuilleumier reported to the Board of Trustees that the college had rented two fraternity houses (Phi Delta Theta and Beta Theta Pi) in order to provide additional housing for female students. According to Vuilleumier, the return of fraternity members to campus would require that the college develop an alternative form of housing for female students. Therefore, the dean recommended that the college convert East College into a women's dormitory.
As explained by Margaret McAdoo in her interview, due to the College's lack of a widespread social ambiance fellow Dickinsonians had to rely on the Fraternities and Sororities on campus to hold social events for their entertainment. At the time women joined sororities just for the simple reason that there was nothing else to do. According to Margaret McAdoo "there were no parties... So it was...just left up to the group of fraternities and sororities"