In light of the Chapels we had last week, especially learning some of the history of our college. I was given the chance to look through some student handbooks of previous years. As I read through them, I was shocked to realize just how far we have come. While some of us might complain about how strict our rules are, the only thing I can now say in response is: be thankful we live in now, and not then.

To demonstrate this, I will show a couple examples of the rules that exist now and compare them to the rules that existed in the past.

Note: (1975-) is before 1975, and (1975+) is after 1975

Curfew

(2008) Resident students have a curfew of 3:30 am. Students must be on campus at that time.
(1975) Monday through Thursday students must be studying in the Dormitory or Library between 7:30 and 9:30 pm, and in their own rooms by 11:00 pm. Weekends these hours are advanced to 11:00 and 12:00 pm

Chapel

(2008) Chapel is held Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 11:30 am - 12:15 pm.  Resident students are encouraged to make chapel a regular part of their schedule
(1975-) Chapel attendance is also a required part of your College life. . . . Also you should no more be late for chapel than for class, and repeated absences or lateness must be explained to the deans.

Dress Code

(2008) Modesty should be a student’s high priority in regards to dress. . . . Students are asked to wear clothing that covers their abdomen, and underwear.
(1975-) Except in residence halls or at scheduled recreational events, slacks, pant suits, and shorts are taboo for young women. Blue jeans are not to be worn to class, library, or in the dining room. Young men are encouraged to wear ties and jackets or sweaters to class and chapel.

Lounges

(2008) Quiet and Courtesy hours are enforced in the lounges. Students are expected to use these spaces with respect and integrity. Failure to do so may result in the closure of the lounge.
(1975) Common Lounge - This area is available to students from 5:00 - 6:00 pm and from 9:30 -10 pm.
(1975+) Care of furnishings must be scrupulously observed . . . It is expected that couples using the lounge will do so in such a way as to not suggest undue intimacy, or cause embarrassment to other students. . . . Closing hour for the lounge is 30 minutes prior to ‘lights out’ in the dormitory.

Other things to note:

(1975+) Laundry facilities are provided in the girls’ dormitory only.
(1975+) Any permission to become engaged or to marry during this period [school year] must be secured from the President.
(1975-) Couples may be together 5:00 and 6:00 pm and 9:30 to 10:00 pm. Weekends, this time may include 5:00 - 11:00 pm. Couples are not to be together other than designated times.

As I read through these rules, and compared them to what some of the rules and regulations that we have in place today, I was shocked and stunned at just how strict they were back then, and how free we are compared to then. The most shocking one that I read was this one: “Relationships between man and women should appear casual even if they aren’t.”  To me it seems like the student handbook was basically asking students to live out a lie for the sake of appearance.  Yet, I do believe these rules and regulations, like today, have their time and place. Despite the fact that we are all adults, we do not always act like it all the time. The thoughts behind some of the rules were for students to focus on their academic studies and not be distracted by other things, which make some sense seeing as we have all paid to be here to learn.

So to end, I will repeat what I began with and that is, be thankful.

Wesley Hague