1889-1892 Faculty Minutes: All peculiar expressions used by the students should be carefully noticed and dulled out of them

Below you will find extracts of the faculty meeting minutes of the Pennsylvania State Normal School of the Second District (now known as Millersville University). These extracts are from the volume covering 1889-1892. A digitized copy can be found at the Keystone Library Network’s Digital Collection: http://digital.klnpa.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/mvsminutes/id/2610/rec/4

Millersville, Pa, September 2, 1889
Miss Pryor is subject to hemorrhage of the nose. The teachers will please remember this.

Millersville, Pa, October 14, 1889
The Prin. stated that all peculiar expressions used by the students should be carefully noticed and dulled out of them.

Millersville, Pa, October 28, 1889
Miss Alberta Gamber was reported for throwing water near midnight on Miss Upcroft and Sherwood in their room; for entering Miss Wolfersberger’s room through the window and washing her face while asleep and also for throwing water in a third room. She was detected burning her light in her closet once this session and several times before. It was the opinion of the Faculty that owing to the agreement between the hall teacher and Miss Gamber, concerning the burning of the light, that she should not be punished for the offense. A motion made by Mr. Hull to fix the punishment at 20 demerits was carried.

…Mr. A. W. Lewis delivered an oration in the Page Society Oct. 25. The oration was delivered in a very undiginified manner. He went on the platform chewing gum and several times stopped during the delivery of the oration to chew gum.

Millersville, Pa, November 4, 1889
Messrs C.H. Thompson, G.H. Fox, and Geo. Lynch are inclined to be mischievous and should be kept at work.

…The Prin. stated that the visiting committee gave a very favorable report at the last meeting of the Board of Trustees. The Chairman stated that the teachers talked just enough and no more. He regarded this as a high act.

Millersville, Pa, November 18, 1889
Mr. Bitner said that in a conversation with the house-keeper of the school concerning the dining room he had incensed her displeasure. She then informed him that she had been instructed by Mr. A.M. Frantz of Lanc. to report the conduct of the Faculty to him. On further inquiry it was ascertained that she was instructed not only to observe and report the conduct of the Faculty in the dining room, but their deportment generally. Her manner and tone indicated that Mr. Bitner should take warning or he would be reported and might be dismissed.
After some discussion of the matter the following resolution was presented:
“In-as-much as every member of this Faculty is doing all in his or her power for the success of this institution; Therefore be it resolved,
that any attempt on the part of any outside party to act as informer to any one concerning the actions of this Faculty is a reflection upon us and will not be tolerated.”
The peace and prosperity of the school demand a discontinuance of any conduct of this kind if it has been done.
After further consideation it was thought that while the forgoing resolutions expressed the sentiments of every member of the Faculty it was not deemed advisable to take formal action upon the matter at present.

Millersville, Pa, November 19, 1889
The object of this meeting was to investigate a charge against Mr. Geo. H. Fox. The following is the charge briefly stated.
Mr. Fox delivered an obscene recitation before the Page Society on last Saturday evening. He has acknowledged the misdemeanor and has signed a statement to the same effect in the prin. black book.

1895

Millersville, Pa, November 25, 1889
It was ascertained that Mr. Geo. Fox was urged by Arthur Lewis to give the recitation in the Page Junior Society for which he was suspended. Mr. Lewis acknowledged that he urged Mr. Fox to give the recitation. Mr. Roddy reported Mr. Lewis for reading Tom Paine[?] or Bob Ingersoll in his room. After some discussion Mr. Hull moved that Mr. Lewis receive 25 demerits and be reprimanded by the Prin.
The following regulations were suggested to be acted upon at some future meeting for County Institute at Lancaster hereafter:
…2. Lady students must go with a teacher to attend evening entertainments.
3. During the day, ladies who go to Lancaster are not to have prolonged conversation with gentlemen.

Millersville, Pa, December 2, 1889
The Prin. also spoke to Mr. Keesey about visiting of Mr. Wallick’s in the village etc. She visit Mr. W. but once in company with Miss Henning and then met no gentlemen there. She had permission to meet Mr. Matter in Lancaster from her mother. She was surprised to find that the Faculty thought her influence was not good.
Mr. Arthur Lewis bought ten books published by Bob Ingersoll. The question was raised about the propriety of legislating against the use of such literature in this school. It was thought best to take no action.

Millersville, Pa, December 9, 1889
The Prin. reported that Messrs Andes, Smitham, Doughty, and Keylor were detected at playing cards. A paper signed by 41 of the students was handed to the Prin. in which they pledge themselves to use their influence against said playing. It was thought best not to inflict any other punishment. The four persons above named signed the paper.

Millersville, Pa, January 20, 1890
The Prin. gave a full account of the visit made by himself and a committee from the Board of Trustees to Lafayette, Lehigh, Phila. and Bryn Mawr. The object of the visit was to examine the gymnasium, and Library buildings at these places with a view of understanding similar building has.
The Prin. requested that in case any of the trustees should speak to any of the teachers concerning the matter, they should state the we need a library building and a gymnasium. There should be in separate buildings.

Millersville, Pa, January 27, 1890
Health…Miss McCoy is sick with a light attack of scarlet rash. The teachers are requested to say nothing about it.

Millersville, Pa, February 3, 1890
Ladies go to Lanc. too frequently. Some of them have been attending matinees at the opera house.
This statement by the Prin. led to a discussion concerning ladies visiting Lane. which resulted in the adoption of the following regulations:
1. Lady students visiting must go in the Sat. afternoon so far as possible.
2. On Sunday they must return at 12 o’clock.
3. On week days must not leave Lane. later than 4 o’clock.
4. Must not attend the theater with out permission.
The Prin. asked if it is possible to keep a record of students going to Lanc or leaving school for a few days. After some discussion, Mr. Byerly suggested that a book be kept to record the name, date, place, visited. Mr. Bitner suggested that his cards be presented by the student, one to be signed by the Prin., or teacher in charge and given the student and the other retained.

Millersville, Pa, February 17, 1890
The committee to investigate the charge prepared against Mr. S. Gable met immediately after the Faculty adjourned, in room one. All the members were present.
Mr. Gable was called before the committee. Mr. Byerly stated the object of calling him. He had been accused of blowing a horn in the halls.
Mr. Gable stated as his defense that he had never blown a horn since he has been connected with the school. He said he was shocked to find that he had been accused; that he was as innocent as any member of the committee; he hoped that he would never breath[?] again if he had done so; his conscience was perfectly clear and all he could do, was to deny the charge.
This he persisted in for about one hour, after which time he made the following confession:
Mr. Bryner and I went out of the building last Wednesday evening. On the way down he blew the horn, and when we returned I gave the horn one puff and ran into Mr. Johnson’s room. I was afraid of suspension, and therefore I denied it. I had nothing to do with the tearing up of the boys rooms.
Mr. Bryner was then called before the committee and Mr. Byerly again stated the charged prepared against him.
He said that he had not blown a horn since he was connected with the school. He denied the charge just as positively as Mr. Gable, but in milder language. After the space of bout 45 min. he confessed, in substance to about the same as given above in Mr. Gables statement.
Mr. Bryner was not as clear and frank as Mr. Gable and the committee felt that Mr. Bryner had not stated all that he had done.

Millersville, Pa, March 3, 1890
No further business appearing the Faculty adjourned in peace and harmony at 6.50 P.M.

Millersville, Pa, March 20, 1890
The Prin. stated that we could congratulate ourselves on the good order at the close of the session. This is due to two causes; 1. The sentiment of the students is against disorder at the close of term. 2. The vigilance of the teachers in general and the hall teachers in particular.

Millersville, Pa, April 14, 1890
A few ladies seem to acting silly [sic] with the boys and should be watched.
Ladies, other than Seniors, can not go for flowers unless they have a teacher with them…
Mr. Shutty is reported to be a wild boy. The Prin. will give him 7 studies. The teachers will see that works.

Millersville, Pa, May 5, 1890
The following rules should be observed and enforced at every review and examination:
Every sentence must begin with a capital.
Every declarative sentence must end with a period.
A finite verb must agree with its subject in person and number.
Every paragraph must be indented.

Millersville, Pa. Oct. 6 , 1890
The Prin. stated that Mr. Thomas Thomas handed a suit of clothes to Miss Hiester through the window of room D to the ladies building. She put them on in her room. After some discussion it was agreed to make the punishment consist in stating to her that the Faculty regards the act as unlady like and a repetition of a similar offense will receive severe punishment.

Millersville, Pa. October 28, 1890
The Prin. suggested that Miss Demuth be treated with firmness and without the usual delicacy that is generally the better method of dealing with students.
The following girls are immodest and do not know how to behave. Misses Evans, Freudenberger, Hiester, Reynolds, Courtwright and Tater. The Prin. thought he would speak to all the ladies tomorrow evening on the general subject of proper conduct. The Prin. asked the teachers to use all possible influence to correct the bold or bad habits of our girls. Teachers are to report for punishment at the next Faculty meeting all girls who do not immediately leave the chapel after society, when asked by the teacher.

Millersville, Pa. November 4, 1890
Reg[ulations] for the County Institute…
2.The ladies who attend the evening entertainment must go with a teacher.
3. The students (ladies) who attend the institute must have no conversation with the gentlemen.

Millersville, Pa. November 17, 1890
It was ascertained that some of the ladies go out walking in the morning before breakfast. This should be discontinued.

Millersville, Pa. March 7, 1892
Mr. Zug was called before the committee. He was ready to debate the question with the committee. He asked if a social game of cards was harmful. He thought since we had a ten-pin alley that we would allow card- playing, To justify his conduct, he said boy who attend [sic] school last session learned to pay ten-pins here and afterward played at Lititz for money.
His punishment was fixed at 15 dem. for playing cards. A motion was also passed requiring him to withdraw from school.
Paul Morris
Mr. Morris was called before the committee. He confessed that he has been playing cards. When asked if he had anything to say why he should not be suspended? He said this was his first offense at card-playing, and I should not be suspended for this. He knew it was against the regulation of the institution.
He received 15 dem. for playing cards. A motion was then passed to suspend him from school. Another motion was made and prevailed, not allowing him to return to school again.

Millersville, Pa. May 3, 1892
It was decided that no musical instruments should be played on Sunday.
There will be a Musical recital in the chapel. The usual regulations will be in force.
It was decided that no lady students will be allowed to visit the circus in Lancaster next Saturday.

Millersville, Pa. June 6, 1892
It was decided that ladies would not be allowed to buy ice cream at Mr. Stump’s on Sunday.

Millersville, Pa. July 1, 1892
The sociables at the opening of the [literary] societies were thought to be promoters of disorder and lower the tone of the meetings. The running in and out of the societies was thought to be a fruitful source of disorder. It was suggested that instead of opening the doors at the end of each exercise they be opened once each hour or about that time.