#TBT in the Archives 3/3/16: SU's Dress Code

From the 1940s to the 1970s, Shippensburg had a dress code for students. Though it was expected that all students dress up for dinner, the dress code for women was much stricter than the regulations placed on men's attire. The 4 photos below show the differences in women's dress from the 40s to the 70s.

Top row from left to right: 1941, 1957
Bottom row from left to right: 1961, 1976

During the 1940s, it was unsuitable for women to dress in shorts, playsuits, housecoats, and similar apparel outside of their rooms. Wearing slacks was also frowned upon on campus. Dresses for women or suits for men were required for dinner; sweaters were never allowed in the dining hall.

In this photo from 1944, women wear skirts past their knees as well as jackets and dress shirts.

In the 1950s, the university made the women's dress code even more restrictive. Shorts, slacks, and gym clothes were not acceptable on campus or downtown. Women were not allowed to walk the halls of their dorm without "proper clothing." Bathing suits were not to be worn in mixed company; the student handbook explicitly forbade sunbathing in the presence of the opposite sex.

The women in this photo from 1956 would not have been permitted to enter the
dining hall without first putting on proper shoes. Socks were not allowed!

The dress code was expanded in the 1960s. While Bermuda shorts and slacks were permitted in the dorm, women could never wear them in classrooms, the library, or in administrative or faculty offices. In 1970, the dress code was abolished by the Student Senate, but the student handbook continued to state that "women must be fully clothed in street attire when walking or lounging in the main lounge of each residence hall."

This memo from March 1970 announces the end of the university dress code.

For more information on the campus dress code, visit the exhibit, "Dressing Appropriately," currently on display on the lower level of Lehman Library. The exhibit will be on display until March 31st.  Created by Lydia Middaugh, University Archives & Special Collections Graduate Assistant, and Kira Piper, History Department Graduate Assistant, the exhibit highlights the evolution of the dress code over the course of four decades.

Want to learn more about Ship's history? No need to wait for the next Throwback Thursday! Contact Archives & Special Collections via e-mail: specialcollections@ship.edu or phone: 717-477-1516.

TBT in the Archives 10/8/15: American Archives Month

October is American Archives Month! Since 2006, this month has been dedicated to promoting the work of archivists, individuals who collect and preserve items of enduring value. Archivists play a vital role in making these materials accessible to you, the public. Without archivists and archives to preserve the unique records of institutions and individuals, the past would be forgotten. Shippensburg's own University Archives and Special Collections, located on the upper level of the Ezra Lehman Memorial Library, exists for these reasons--to collect materials of importance related to the university and make them available. These collections hold a plethora of stories that may aid in research papers and projects, learning more about family alumni, or just feed the curiosity of an inquisitive mind. We thought that we would highlight some of our more interesting items and who knows, maybe you will be inspired to pay us a visit!

Underground Newspapers

Have you ever wondered what campus was like during the social movements of the late 1960s and early 1970s? We have a collection of underground student newspapers that cover protests against the Vietnam War (Shippensburg Free Press), as well as activism for racial and gender equality (The Black SSCene and Sisters for Liberation, respectively). Whipper Snapper can fulfill your counter-culture curiosity with its trippy artwork and information on local music, record stores, and coffee shops. You can read more about the Black SSCene, an African American student produced newspaper, here.

Scrapbooks

Scrapbooks are a fun and eye-catching display of history. We have a collection of scrapbooks that range from 1891 to 1984. Check out a previous post about scrapbooks to learn more about the collection.

Sports Information

Go Raiders! Even if you aren't a football fan, it's interesting to flip through old advertisements and photographs in the vintage football programs. Homecoming 2015 is only a week away! Stay tuned for next week's Throwback Thursday post to learn more about the history of Homecoming...

Oral History Collections

Oral history interviews provide more intimate recollections of the past and offer a first-hand perspective. We currently have several oral history collections that were created by Ship History students. If you would like to hear personal stories about the civil rights and women's movements, African American student and faculty experiences, or what it was like to live on campus throughout the years, our oral history collections would provide great insight.

Artifacts

Perhaps the most bizarre object we have is the stereoscope. With this device, two identical images are viewed through a view finder and merged together to  create a 3D image. This one was patented in 1907. Modern versions of this would be the Viewmaster, a popular children's toy. Of course we have other artifacts as well, such as Ship memorabilia, trophies, LPs, and more.

Photographs

Students have fun during All College Week (late 1970s)

We have a large collection of photographs that chronicle student life, sports, faculty, architecture, and much more. If you need something special for a paper, project, or presentation, we can scan and send them right to your email!

Whether you're interested in sports, fashion, or car-culture, the Shippensburg University Archives is bound to have something for you! Email specialcollections@ship.edu or call 717-477-1516 for more information!

American Archives Month

October is American Archives Month! You might be asking yourself: "What is an archives?" Good question! Archives maintain the non-current records of individuals, groups, institutions, and governments that contain information of enduring value. The purpose of an archives is to collect, organize, and preserve records to make them accessible to the public. That includes YOU and anyone else who wants to know about this university's history.

The Shippensburg University Archives is where we preserve records that document the university's origins and development, including the activities and achievements of its offices, faculty, students, and alumni. We also maintain Special Collections, which include unique and rare books about Pennsylvania history and other interesting topics.

The Shippensburg University Archives are your archives. We strive to preserve the university's history--which, as a Shippensburg University student, alum, faculty member, staff member, administrator, or friend--is your history! If you want to learn more about any aspect of the history of the university (a sports team, building, academic department, or relative who attended Ship), just ask!

Are you wondering how we have all of this information? The Archives collects records from many different members of our campus community in order to preserve this history for use by future Ship students, personnel, and the public. We can't do it without you! Below are examples of the types of materials we collect from folks all over campus and beyond.

Students: Do you belong to a student club and have group photos, flyers, or meeting minutes? Did you keep a journal while studying abroad? Have you written a paper about any aspect of SU history for one of your classes?

Alumni: Did you make scrapbooks documenting your college experience at SU (or for some of you, Shippensburg State College)? Do you have programs or other materials from class reunions? Are you still hanging on to memorabilia from your Ship days such as trophies, recordings of campus sporting events, clothing or pennants?

Personnel: Are you cleaning out a filing cabinet and wondering if certain records from your office or department belong in the archives? Consult the university's Records Retention Policy.

Faculty: Do you have syllabi from courses you no longer teach? Have you published a book you would like to have included in the SU Authors Collection at the library?

Want to know more about archives? Luckily for you, the National Archives & Records Administration created this brief but informative flyer that explains how archives fit into your life. The Society of American Archivists, a professional association for our nation's archivists, can also provide you with a wealth of information. Or, ask Ship's Archivist & Special Collections Librarian--Christy Fic.

Shippensburg University Archives & Special Collections is here to serve you! Contact us by email: specialcollections@ship.edu or phone: 717-477-1516. We look forward to hearing from you.