Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-02-29

IlOilS III ElAtN abt -''-f'N. NV Nfl' NiN
at Wellesley alone The. greater mum
Der of women graduates, however, took
positions in the high schools OF the
state.
The number of women continued tn
increase until In 1898 not less than 81
women had received degrees, and of THIS
number not one could have obtained
such nh education anywhere else at that
time. la 1896 DR. Mosher AN early
graduate, was appointed dean or won-
en- 1t Is interesting 10 note that Michi'
san was the first state university 10
throw open its doors To women. ana
also that il was the first to have dean
Of women. In lS9S. through the unit
ing efforts Of the alumnae and the No'
mems league. the womens gymnasium
was built.
The Women's League and Its Work.
Early in the history of coeducatioh IL
had become apparent that there was
need Of some sort of organization
among the women. II WAS not untl
1890. however, that the Women
league was instituted From that time
Oh this organization has been one or
the most helpful influences in college
life. AS the league worked In 1898 for
the erection OF the girls gymnasium so
II Is working ut present time for the
erection of dormitories for girls.
Because there are no dormitories the
problem of housing the girls has al
ways been Il difficult one. Al present
about 10 girls live in sorority houses.
about 100 live at home. and most of
the remainder live In what are called
approved houses" This approved
house" movement was started about
eight years ago 10y the dean of women
Certain landladieS agreed 10 receive
only girls as roomcrs and pledged
themselves 10 observe certain regula-
tons calculated to provide for the best
interests Of the girls whom they lodged
All freshmen girls are required To Sc
lect their rooms in one of these approx
ed houses Along with this endeavor
to provide suitable roomine houses Tor
girls, the WOmen'S league, about two
years ago. took up the plan of cStab-
accommodating anywhere from ten to
twenty girls. who are admitted upon
appication. Each house is presided
over by Il matron and is conducted 50
as TO provide a cou@euinl grouping of
upper class and freshmen girls. ana to
encourage self government. At present
there are six such houses, with accom-
1 g, nh trirI-
The league. main object in organiZ-
ing these houses WAS 10 prove the
practicability OF residence halls and t"
convince the faculty aud the regents
that the girls of Michigan really want
the dOrmitory system | Sually II
movement of this kind comes from the
faculty or the alumnar. hut in this in
stance il has come directly from Tie
girls themselves. The league employs
Il salaried representative out in the
field raising money. AMI in all proha-
hility the first hall will be built 10y
September. 1913 With accommodate
lions for 100 girls. this hall will have
all the modern Improvements of sleep
ing porche>. dispenSnry, etc. At least
IouT oIutl nHllS W III Nv bulll W btiii
the next few years. BESIDES all these
larger interests the league renders II
conspicuous service TO I'LL girls who
are just entering the university. IT
delegates committees To- receive the
newcomers and assist them through
the difficulties of registration, and
later helps them to get acquainted
A. ~ lni la. IN
ceptionS are held on the first three
Fridays in October for the sophomore.
junior and niur &rlS. ON the first
Friday In November the Women'S
league has it, opening reception. ia
which all the girls OF every class are
invited. \ similar reception is held
every Friday afternoon during the
year for the purpose Of fostering
broad social spirit among the girls.
All through the year particular pains
are taken To make the freshmen girls
feel nj home. Early in December the
sophomore. give the freshmen II
spread" TO which all the university
girls are invited. the juniors and SEN
Tors acting as escorts for the first year
among the girls. dating back twenty.
seven years About the middle of Feb
ruary the Woman's league gives I'm.
other big party. this time fancy dress,
and the result may he imagined when
college girls imagination is allowed
to run riot.
The Y. W. c. A. In College.
The WOmen'S league is not alone in
its efforts To help the girls. The Young
Woman's Christian association. though
not so large an organization. comes
into closer touch with the individual
girls and gives direction to their lives
OH the religious side. Every Sunday
afternoon for the first eight weeks aft
er the college opens II hearty welcome
is accorded freshman girls at Newber
~ hall. The home Of the Y. w &. A.
Ii Is here also that mission study class.
es are conducted. And every Tuesday
afternoon throughout the year there
are talks oil religious or general topics
nv nroIniuent religions workers Moro