Curfews were nothing to joke about. From the time Barnard introduced on-campus living until the student protests of ‘68, students had to abide by strict and often esoteric curfew rules that the College enforced for the general safety and wellbeing of its students. In the 1925-26 Resident Guide, pages 12 and 13 outline how students need to register “promptly and correctly” at the Official Register on a daily basis, and also obtain permission from House Staff for evening engagements. The intensity of these rules varied depending on your class status: seniors needed to ask permission only for dances and suppers after midnight; “Juniors, Sophomores and Freshmen may go to the store before 10:30 o’ clock in the evening without asking permission, but after that time they must consult the House Staff.” The only place where students could go at night without asking permission, of course, was the Library. Exceptions were welcomed: dances; theatre engagements; supper following theatre engagements; and longer weekend hours allowed for some breathing room.
The 1950s and 60s were all about permissions -- or getting campused. After a requisite Dinner Check at 6:30PM every night, “Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors in good standing may sign out without asking permission,” according to the 1953-54 housing guide. Freshmen and students on probation had to get permission if they were staying out past 10:30PM, or to entertain guests in the living room after 10:30PM. Dance nights, of course, got the 2:30AM extension for all classes. How to get on probation? Easy. In the 1960s, “A student will receive one lateness for every five minutes or fraction thereof after 1:30 a.m. Corresponding latenesses will be given for students on 10:30 p.m. or 12 midnight permissions.” “Two latenesses will be given for failing to sign-out for an evening engagement.” “One-half lateness will be given: For failure to give complete information on a sign-out slip. (Baby-sitters must give name, address and phone number of employer.)” Yes, half-latenesses were a thing. By the early 70s, students only needed to sign in to a daily Office Register, and then you could go about your business |
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