Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1859-03-09
| FRESHMAN LAWS IN. YALE COL
LEGE.

1t is amusing 10 read the Freshman
Laws of Yale, and observe how The ic.
experienced Freshmen were subject 10
:he grave tricks of the upper classes
The laws of the College in general were
published in Latin, but the "Laws for
the Government of the Freshmen" were
printed particularly in good plain Saxon
English, as will appear in the subjoined
extract from code of college customs
printed in 1854; entitled Freshmen
Laws"
1t is the duty of the Seniors 10 teach
Freshmen the laws, usages, and customs
of the college, TO this end they are en-
powered to order the whole Freshman
class, or any particular member of it, in
order to be instructed or reproved, at such
time and place as they shall appoint;
when and where every Freshman shall
attend, answer all proper questions, and
behave decently. The Seniors, however,
are not to detain a Freshman more than
FIVE minutes after study bell, without
special order from the President, Profes
sor, or Tutor.
The Freshmen, as well as all other
undergraduates, are TO be uncovered,
and are forbidden 10 wear their hats
(unless in stormy weather) in the front
door yard ofthe Presidents or Professors s
house, or within ten rods of the person OF
the President, eight rods of Professor,
and five rods of Tutor.
The Freshmen are forbidden te wear
their bats in College yard (except in
stormy weather, or when they are obliged
to carry something in their hands, until
May vacation; nor shall they afterwards
wear them in college or chapel.
No Freshman shall wear a gown, OF
walk with cane, or appear out of his
room without being completely dressed,
and with his hat; and whenever Fresh
man shall speak 10 a superior, or is
spoken 10 by one, he shall keep his ha'
of, until hidden 10 put it on. A Fresh
man shall not play with any member Of
an upper class without being asked; mol
is he permitted to use any acts of famili
arity with them, even in study time.
In case of personal insult, Junior
may call up a Freshman and raprehent
him. A Sophimore in like cases mus
obtain leave from a Senior, and then hi
may discipline Freshman, not OBTAINING
him more than FIVE minutes, after which
the Freshman may retire. even without
being dismissed, but he must retire in {
respectful manner.
Freshmen are obliged to perform all
reasonable errands, for any superior, al.
ways returning an account of the same
to the person who sent them. They arr
responsible for all damage done 10 any
thing put into their hands by way of er
rand.
A Senior may take Freshman from
a Sophimore, Bachelor from Junior
and an Easier from Senior.
When Freshman is near gate o.
door, belonging 10 college or collegt
yard, he shall look around and observt
whether any of his superiors are coming
to the same, and if any are coming
within three rods, he shall not enter with
out signal to proceed. Freshmen shall
not run in college yard, or up or dowr
stairs, or call to any one through a col
lege window.
These rules are to be observed no
only about college, but everywhere els'
within the limits of the city CT New
Haven.
Even so late as 1900 were these law
in force. Blu, about this time there en-
tered some Freshmen of Young Americt
tenets, who rebelled against such despot
ism. Such Freshmen as Ralph ]. lnger
soil, Senator Huntington, Gov. Bissell
and Gallaudet, revolted and renounceC
their subjec,ion TO Sophomore dignity
and in 1904 the Freshmen were formally
exempted from the duty of running upOI
errands. Cleveland Herald.