Hanover College,
Triangle Editorial Commentary on College Policies,
1968 and 1971
Although the student movement is usually associated with antiwar protest, protest against the war was only part of a larger movement, which also included widespread protests against restrictive college and university policies. Those policies reflected the belief that colleges and universities should act "in loco parentis" -- that is, they should protect and control students as a parent would. Students objected to curfews, mandatory attendance at chapel, and stringent dress codes, among other things. The editorial comments below are typical of college students throughout the United States. -smv
Hanover College Triangle, October 18, 1968
CC Dress Policy Questioned
(editorial)RULES, RULES, RULES - - - the constant complaint of today's college student. Admittedly without rules a college community would quickly end in chaos, but as pointed out before why should the rules be so extensive?
THE DRESS POLICY AT HANOVER has often been criticized, as well it should be. The fact that it is necessary to have such a policy might be disputed, but the policy as it is in practice today must be disputed. The sheer impracticality of some features of the dress policy seem to shout out for reversal. Why should a coed be required to wear a skirt on the upper levels of the JBBCC when she merely came to relax and watch television or listen to records? Why should a coed have to walk around the JGBCC to the one entrance she can enter in casual clothes when she is on the opposite walk? When working on the Triangle and Revonah why should the coeds on the staff have to wear school clothes?
LAST YEAR IRC WORKED TO AMEND the dress policy for the JGBCC only to find out that it was under another control. Yet something should be done to change this policy.
Still newer problems are cropping up with the shorter and shorter skirts. Conservative though Hanover may be new styles will eventually catch on; even if two or three years late. Who is to decide how short is too short or what is appropriate? Surely no one person can assume this responsibility.
THE EASIEST AND MOST OBVIOUS ANSWER is so often overlooked. Why can't the
individual be left to decide what to wear? The college years are supposed
to allow the person to grow as an individual, to learn to make decisions.
It may be a rather weak beginning but the choice of a wardrobe is surely within
the grasp of even the most sheltered freshman woman. Why not allow the individual
this one small freedom?
Hanover College Triangle, January 15, 1971
Letters to the Editor
To the Editor.
It's about time someone on this campus spoke out against all these insane rules and policies of Hanover College instead of taking everything the administration dishes out.
Even though I'm only a freshman here, on as small a campus as this you learn about all you can concerning the college policies during the first few months, and frankly, the more I hear, the more disillusioned I become.
When I came to Hanover I had great hopes of being treated as an adult - -and after reading the illustrious college catalog I was fairly certain of receiving a "good" education and being given a chance to develop my "personal growth and maturity." Assuming that I would be given credit for being able to "make sound decisions and value judgments," I arrived here ready to begin becoming an adult ready for an adult society. All these proposed qualities of the college, plus the "beautiful" campus stirred me on.
After my first disappointment, orientation groups, classes began and I was impressed with the classes I had. I do feel I have received (so far) a fairly high degree of education - - with the exception of my seven week courses. It seems just as I really get into the subject I have to move to another; just scratching the surface of half your courses is sad, but the only way to get in your requirements without having to stay here six years.
More and more disillusioned I became as time went on. The administration proved time and again their distrust in our ability to make sound decisions.
Also the alarming number of apathetic students made the situation worse. Yes, the students were alarmed when Brad Hale was fired, but in a day or so the excitement died down.
Another stirring issue was assemblies. No one liked going mainly because we were forced to go. Everyone wanted a change, but frankly, only the minority were asking for better quality, the majority were asking for no requirements, i.e., they didn't want to go. As soon as Senate passed a proposal, another topic took over the minds of the students. Everyone knew the situation wouldn't change (the newly passed system doesn't improve quality or lessen quantity) because it's in the hands of the trustees (or so the administration states.) But
't it strange that the administration puts the blame for its present policies and prejudices on its trustees and alumni! It seems the administration knows the alums are using their money to keep the prejudices in the system through Hanover College, but are afraid to stand up for their beliefs in an effort to maintain its financial aid. Maybe if they lost some of their one-sided supporters they would gain some supporters who want to see this college catch up with their contemporaries - - - supporters who will give their money because they feel the policies the school will establish will be fair and unbiased. Of course the school may not want this because it would alter their established image in the eyes of the public of which they are concerned. A thought -- maybe the image put forth isn't conducive to what a liberal arts college should be - - is an image necessary to maintain a learning institution? If so, a reevaluation of this image could and most probably would result in an improved atmosphere of students and faculty alike. In the event that alums failed to present themselves, the college could receive federal funds. In this case the college would have to accept the stipulations involved (i.e., having an established percentage of black population - - aren't blacks Hanover material?)
Hanover needs to change - - it has to change, or it's going to lose all its concerned students (if it hasn't already) and be left with a considerable number of students unable to cope with today's problems and responsibilities. I strongly believe that if there was an indication of some reforms, students would think twice about transferring.
We students of Hanover College are tired of the mother figure Hanover presents - - let us become our own people.
Miss McCullough is a freshman.
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