Kent State rules that haven't survived the test of time.

By Karen Huerner

Although Kent State was established in 1910, the first women’s dormitory wasn’t built until 1913. Lowry Hall was nicknamed by its early residents “Walden Hall” because the building’s setting reminded them of Henry David Thoreau’s retreat.

The women who lived in the dorm were already showing signs of the changing times.

“In the olden days, a glimpse of a stocking was looked on as shocking. Now, who knows. Anything goes,” wrote composer Cole Porter on the changes in women’s fashion and behavior after World War I ended.

In the wake of those changes, the first dean of women, Zoe Bayliss, resigned in 1922 to professor Blanche Verder.

In the 1920s and '30s for the women:

- Deans of women were put in place to enforce the behavioral codes of the day, which included no cooking, smoking or drinking in the dorms.

- Women could not ride in cars after dark.

- Dorm rooms were inspected every morning at 9 a.m.

- During the week women had to be in their dorms by 7:30 p.m. On Mondays and Wednesdays, they could not leave campus after 6:30 p.m.

- “Gentleman callers” could be entertained in the dorm parlors until 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings and until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

- During the week, lights out was at 10:10 p.m. unless there was a social event on campus. The house mother gave special permission for studying late on exam nights. On weekends, lights out was at 10:30 p.m.

- Women could not attend any dance at a public dance hall.

- Female guests were allowed only on weekends and only if the landlady had proper accommodations for them. Under no circumstances were two women to share a single bed or three women a double bed.

- A couple was allowed to go driving during the day only if a second lady was with them. After dark, a chaperone approved by the landlady was required.

After World War II:

- On weeknights, 10:30 p.m. was the curfew and 11 p.m. was lights out. Students had to be in by midnight on weekends unless special per- mission was given for a 1 a.m. extension.

- Smoking was allowed in a designated area of the dorm, called “the smoker.” It was usually a poorly ventilated cell in the basement of the building.

- Caps, hats, pajamas and athletic shorts were banned in the cafeteria. Bermuda shorts could be worn but only with long socks. Dress for Sunday afternoon meals included a suit coat, dress shirt and tie or sport coat with tie optional, dress pants and proper shoes and socks. Any student not dressed properly was refused service.

- Women were allowed in the first floor lounge in men’s dorms from 3 to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 3 to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Men could visit the women’s dorms after 3 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and after noon Saturday and Sunday only if prearranged with the lady.

In the 1960s:

- Curfew was 10 p.m. on weekdays and midnight on weekends.

- Halls were overcrowded, and most students lived in triples.

- Males were allowed in females’ dorm rooms once a month but only if the door was open and three feet were on the floor. Otherwise, males were entertained in the lounge.

- Women were required to wear dresses and skirts unless the temperature outside was 20 degrees or lower.

- Dorm rooms had no phones. Students who had visitors were summoned instead by a colored light.

- A student being disciplined was considered “campused” and had to study in the lounge from 7 to 10 p.m.

- All off-campus housing for women had to approved by the university.

In the '80s:

- Same sex dorms became co-ed.

- Alcohol was allowed in dorms for the first time. Kegs were banned then, as they are now.

- Upperclassman dorms were allowed visitors at any time while underclassman dorms were restricted to overnight visitors on the weekends only.