The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-01-23
HAzING AT VASSAR.
A Pleasing Contrast to the Custom at
Other Colleges.

A Pleasing Contrast to the Custom at
Other Colleges.
They never use the word haze at
Vassar. These euphemistic young
women style the reception of the fresh
men by the sophomores a party"
But what is in a namep Vassar is
devoted to the higher education of
women, and that, as popularity UNDER
stood, means being as much like men
as possible Now the higher education
of men has been found to be inseparable
from at least one rough and tumble en-
counter a year, where eyes are freely
BACKED, flesh is bruised, and even bones
are broken; where, in a word, boy is
not only invited but forced to show
how much of the bully is in him, before
he sets out to become a scholar and
gentleman. No wonder, then, that the
visitor at Vassar feels it rather painful
than pleasant to be invited to the first
official recognition of the class of 'S9 by
the class of 'SS.
The parlors of the college were
thrown open and decorated with rugs,
draperies, pictures and knick-knacks.
On either side of the entrance stood p
young girl in evening dress, one of
whom handed the visitor dainty pro-
gramme, the other pipe bound with
ribbon. ''When before did a pipe sig
Nifty warp thought the visitor, The
light of the first room was so tempered
and softened that one would fancy that
an effort had been made to initiate,
moonlight, but a laughing freshman |
explained: This is the freshman room.
There is nothing green about us, you |
see, and no one would know to what |
class we belonged if the sophomores
hadn't dressed our room in that |
color" Surely enough the light came
through green shades, green scarfs |
were wound round the pictures, green
was tossed over the back of the chairs |
In the next room stood the Presi- |
dents of the respective classes re-
ceiving side by side, the one adorned |
with Jacqueminot roses, her class
dover, the other with yellow and white |
chrysanthemums, while behind them |
the figures 'SS in yellow and |
white flowers, the gift of the freshmen |
to the sophomores. There was much |
introductive jesting and congratulating.
Then tumblers filled with soapsuds |
were passed around and even the officers
Of the college joined in blowing soap
bubbles. Suddenly a hush spread
through the rooms. The President of |
of '88 advanced to position which
commanded the whole suite, with per-
feet dignity and self-possession gave q
brief address of welcome to the fresh
men. Pipes and glasses tinkled out
applause as he concluded. and 'S9 took |
the place to thank her elder sister for
her generosity and sympathy. Pres
emily there was another break in the
gayety. The voices of 'SS's choir rose
from corner, singing welcome to 80
Then another pause and 'S9's choir re-
sponded. Then with grave courtesy a
fair damsel escorted the visitors to the |
room across the hall |
there was dancing, only the |
young ladies taking part, until ten
OF clock bell sounded, and white draper
les fluttered away through the corridors
in every direction. 1t was hard to
realize that the entertainment had been
by girls from sixteen to
that every decoration, every
device, had been theirs alone, and that |
this reception, in which the whole
college seemed to take profound in
terest, was their substitute for the
traditional sophomore and freshmen |
haze.--N. 7. Tribune.