The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-06
SMITH COLLEGE AFFAIRS.
Matters or Interest in the life OF the YounG
Women Students There.

NORTHAMPTON. Mass, Feb. 3.-Since the
Christmas holidays the routine meetings Of the
different clubs and societies at Smith College
have been varied by some of the most interest,"
ing elections of the year. The annual sopho.
more elections of Alpha and Phi Kappa Psi
have been Of the greatest interest. Although
formerly freshmen were admitted to these So
c~ieties, no student is eligible now until after
Christmas in her sophomore year. At the first
election five sophomores only are taken in.
and with q commendable spirit Of fairness, the
right of first pick among the sophomores Is
given to each society on alternate years. The
leading sophomores arc chosen, but as the
secret of choice Is carefully guarded. there is
great room for speculation rs to the successful
students. The honor of being among these first
ten sophomores chosen by the societies 10 one Of
the greatest in a Smith girls course.
The first meeting this year was held by
Alpha on Saturday evening, Jan. 10. and the
five sophomores elected were Miss Bertha
Groesbeck of Albany, the President of the class.
Miss Lorraine Mabie of Summit, N. j.; Miss
Caroline Marmon Of indianapolis. Miss Eliza.
beth Meier of st. Louis, and Miss Mary Buel
Sayles of Montclair, N. ]. At the meeting Of
Phi Kappa Psi on the following Saturday
the sophomores admitted were Miss Katherine
Brigham of Milwaukee,. Wis; Miss Helen Coo.
lidge of Chicago. Miss Cornelia Browning
Gould OF Andover. Miss Helen Dorothy Rich
ards of Philadelphia, and Miss Sarah Watson
Sanderson Of Greenfield.
On Saturday, Jan. 90, the Rev. Roland Cotton
smith and his vito gave a tea for the college
girls who attend st. Johns Church. A break
in the Stress of preparation for examinations
cnme with the Day OF Prayer for colleges on last
Thursday. DIR. George A. Gordon Of the Old
South Church in Boston preached a sermon on
tln tn-t ~ n-a Ia,,-h NTH m rrtoa ~ $3.50
pers DIR. Blodgett gave an organ recital.
The announcement of the Shakespeare prize
q short time ago was of much general interest.
This prize OF $50. the income Of the Helen Kate
Eurness scholarship OF $1,000 founded by
Der of the junior class who writes the best essay
on a Shakespcarcan theme. or Is used to provide
for IA lecture on some kindred theme. II is the
only cumulative contest in Smith College when girl
Is measured against girl, and the reward given
TO tho one fttest to receive it. The names Of
from the judges. SO that the award is on tho
s~trictest basis of merit. The subject this year
spearo's Tragedies" and to Miss Alice Jackson
OF Englcwood. n. y, tho prize was awarded.
Although the composition for this riZe is the
others occur among the girls themselves. par.
tlcularly among the seniors, when the Ivy
The class Of '9s is Very prompt and forehanded.
The words Of their song are already written. and
write music as soon as possible. But II is safe
to say that until the trials of examination week
are safely passed, their brains will not ring
with a concord OF sweet sounds, or their fingers
busy themselves with writing out the score.
To one who has mover been at Smith College
the marking system. except in its effect ON his
friends, lies shrouded in mystery. The, success
of IL illustrates to q turn the difference between
the ordinary happy: golucky college boy and
his conscientious sister. Human nature, of
course, duplicates itself In both sets of col
leges, or course there are in the one boys with
Puritan consciences. who would never by any
chance be guilty or using a pony and In the
other girls with n pagan desire to slip through
the requirements as easily as possible. But the
majority prevails. and an open marking sys-
TEN. bringing the victim up with n round turn
at stated intervals, seems to be q necessity in
a college for men.
In Smith College, on tho contrary, and in
other women's colleges, perhaps, a girl does her
student not only docs not live under tho lash
OF the whip. and dread tho approach of monthly
nounced officially. II she flags in her work, or
seems inclined 10 fall below tho level, she Is
warned, and unless sho mends her ways. a con-
ditlon Is her sure punishment. but for specific
rocitations and examinations she never knows
her, mark; With the danger of working, for
self with her tasks for the 10y of the working"
the delight of knowledge 30 gained.