It's Academic

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 1883 – 1889. A digitized copy can be found at the Keystone Library Network’s digital collection:

http://digital.klnpa.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/mvsminutes/id/2223/show/1792/rec/1
Millersville, Pa, September 20, 1883
Gentlemen are not to use the ladies boardwalk or congregate around their gate.

Students are not to rise before 4 o’clock A.M.

October 18, 1883
A petition from the senior and junior classes was read in which they requested the Faculty to grant them permission to go chestnuting on Frid. next. Request not granted.

November 1, 1883
A number of boys entered Mr. Baetty’s room for the purpose of taking him to the pump to give him a shower bath, but finding him awake they only compelled him to get out of bed and wash his feet…whereupon they began to persuade Mr. B. to get up and wash his feet and one of them poured some water into the basin. Mr. B. protested, but finally after considerable persuasion complied after which the accused withdrew. Mr. Fray, the roommate of Mr. B.,…[b]eing asked if he noticed any offensive smell from Mr. B’s feet he said that he did sometimes, and that he had advised him to get ammonia to prevent it. He did not however object to rooming with him…Not a large number of the students sympathized with the accused…Mr. Westlake said he had made some inquiry as to the necessity of the act and Messrs Felton, Wolfgang, and [?] each testified that they found it exceedingly unpleasant to be near him in that account…

November 6, 1883
Some young men, one of whom is Mr. Watson, spoke on infidelity in the Page Society. The Trustees passed a resolution strictly forbidding the inculcating of any infidel doctrine in the school.

Dr. Higbee writes that no religious test or qualification can be required for admission to a state normal school, yet any student that may be of injury to a school by inveighing against the Bible and against the Christian religion, is abusing the very requirement itself by asserting in such from his own religions test, and he can be disciplined.

November 24, 1883
Miss Lyle announced that the examination of her class in Phys. Geog. would take place next week and this was followed by a rambling discussion concerning examinations, the time for holding them, the manner of conducting them, etc.

February 7, 1884
Mr. Westlake stated that some of the pupils quote some of the teachers as using expressions peculiar to this county and mispronouncing words. Normal teachers be more guarded in their language.
October 10, 1884
Prin. stated that Chas. Warfel and Thaddeus Mellinger entered the ladies parlor the other evening while company was there. Mr. Warfel turned down the light and jumped out of the window.

Millersville, January 9, 1885
The prin. stated that complaint had been entered against Mr. Albright for taking articles that do not belong to him. He had an interview with Mr. A. to investigate the matter .Mr. A. first denied having ever taken anything that was not his own, but finally with great reluctance he admitted that he had taken fruit and also a book belonging to Mr. Burg. The book had been taken some months ago and kept in his trunk. Prin. took the book from him and gave it to the owner. The Prin. further stated that a quantity of cigars belonging to one of the students were found in his trunk by Mr. Broll, his roommate. Mr. A. denied that the cigars were in his trunk but finally said if they were there he was unable to explain how they came there. In view of the admitted theft his previous record the principal requested him to withdraw from school.

February 20, 1885
Mr. Randall reported Messrs Harper, and Bacharach were caught trying to unlock the door of the room in which Mr. Westlake and others have goods stored. When asked why they were trying to unlock the door they answered that they thought there were some things in the room to eat.

April 24, 1885
It was suggested that gentlemen be spoken to in regard to lying on the ground in the yard.

Friday September 25, 1885
Mr. Byerly reported that an inappropriate use is being made of the pole in the yard.

Friday, October 2, 1885
The Prin. thought some students were rising too early. It is a rule that students shall not rise earlier than 4 in summer and 4 1/2 in winter.

Friday, January 15, 1886
A communication purporting to be a “message from the senior class to the Faculty” was read but as much as it was impertinent and disrespectful, it was withdrawn by the Principal. It seemed to be the opinion of the faculty that the paper did not correctly represent the sentiment of the class and it was thought best to pass it over as a rather juvenile and foolish performance of which the class would be ashamed. Accordingly no action was taken upon it. The subject of the communication was the refusal of the principal to give the class permission to have a sleigh ride.

Friday, March 5, 1886
The Principal read a libelous and unjust article written by A.S. Hershey, and read in the Page Weekly by Mr. Brown, the editor, reflecting severely on the Faculty. Action deferred.

Friday, March 12, 1886
Mr. Shaub then called up the case of A.S. Hershey and J.J. Brown, which was referred to at the last Faculty meeting. These gentlemen had also been called before the committee and questioned as to their motives in writing and reading the articles, and as to the meaning of the charges and insinuations contained in it. Mr. Brown said that he had suggested the subject to Mr. Hershey, that he sympathized in the main with its purpose, and accepted the responsibility for it. Mr. Hershey said he believed when he wrote the articles that the statements contained in it were true; he admitted that he might have erred in some particulars, and some of the charges were made on hearsay evidence, but he made no retraction of anything, expressed no regret, and though respectful in his manner, he manifested a rebellious and unteachable spirit.

After a careful consideration of the whole subject, the faculty unanimously passed the following resolution:

Whereas Mr. A.S. Hershey wrote for the Page Weekly a false and libelous article entitled “A Faculty Romance: or The Moral Obligations of Normal School Teachers to Students” reflecting unjustly upon the Faculty of the Institution and having a tendency to create a spirit of disorder and insubordination in the school and whereas Mr. J.J. Brown the editor of the paper, read the article at the public meeting of the Page Society held Friday evening, Feb. 26th; and furthermore Whereas the previous named when called before the principal and a committee of the Faculty expressed no regret for their conduct but on the contrary showed the sentiments contained in said article and their full responsibility for the same; Therefore; Resolved, That Mr. A.S. Hershey and Mr. J.J. Brown are notified that hereafter until otherwise ordered they will not be permitted to reenter the school as students.

May 14, 1886
Ladies are not to be allowed to sit or loiter about the spring, nor to go to the spring after the ringing of the signal bell.

Teachers rooming near requested to see that the regulation is complied with.

May 21, 1886
Miss Landis stated that there was reason to believe that ladies and gentlemen meet and converse when out walking.

Friday, June 11, 1886
Mr. O’Donnell and Miss Keesey were reported for holding a privileged conversation at the spring. It was voted that each receive 5 demerits. There was some discussion concerning the congregating of students at the spring, and it was decided that the Chairman should make an announcement concerning the matter to the school.

Mr. Niles was reported for walking and conversing with ladies, and 5 demerits were imposed as the penalty.

Mr. O’Donnell was reported for holding a privileged conversation with ladies in the Nor. Library after having been admonished not to do so. This being the second time he had been reported for the same offence, the Faculty imposed 8 demerits, in addition to those already received.

Mr. J.W. Philips was reported for conversing with Miss Hendricks in library, and it was voted that he be reprimanded by the Pres. Pro tem of the faculty.

Mr. Hartzler reported Julia Smith and Gussie Burger and Messrs Weevil and Frantz had spend a long time together in the chapel before the meeting of the Page Society. No action taken.

Friday, 1st October, 1886
The Principal inquired whether any pupils are homesick. No serious cases are reported.
Those who were suffering from nostalgia some time ago are convalescent.

Wednesday, 5th January, 1887
It was reported that a number of ladies had removed tables and lamps from vacant rooms.

Monday 24th January, 1887
It was reported that Mr. Lyte and Mr. Hinch are weak in their studies.
Mr. Wevill[?] is also weak, but thoughtful.

Tuesday, 15th February, 1887
Mr. Lansinger stated that most of the members of the Faculty met in the Reception Room in Thursday of last week to consider the subject of Boarding and that he had been appointed chairman of a committee to report the proceedings of the meeting to the Faculty at its next regular meeting. He stated that some of the teachers thought that the boarding is better than it was previous to the changes lately made in the Dining Room. And others thought it was not as good. Some teachers thought that the teachers who do not eat oatmeal should have beefsteak for breakfast. He also stated that it was the opinion that the breakfasts and Sunday dinners should be improved and that some believed that the Trustees will give us as good boarding as their means will allow them to do so.

Friday, 25 February, 1887
Mr. Hull was of the opinion that the boarding should be improved in quality and quantity. Better crackers should be bought, etc.

Friday, 18 March, 1887
Miss Gilbert reported that Miss Laura Miller tore up her bed and disarranged the furniture of Miss John’s room. On being spoken to by Miss Gilbert, she confessed that she had done so. She received five demerits for the offence.

Thursday, 14th April, 1887
The Principal was requested to make the following announcements to the school:
Pupils should not lean their heads against the Chapel wall.
Pupils should not study during Opening Exercises.
Pupils should not sit on the ground at this season of the year.
Pupils should not crowd in Recitation Hall.
Pupils should conduct themselves properly at table.
Pupils should not jump in the front yard.
Gentlemen should not use the ladies’ gate.
The “square” should be more quiet.

Friday, 22 April, 1887
It was said that Miss Bertha Donovan still continues her custom of going out alone on Sunday.

Friday 29 April, 1887
The Principal inquired whether Miss Donovan’s going out alone on Sunday constituted an offence. After some discussion, the Principal stated that he would see Miss Donovan about the matter.

September 22, 1887
Messrs Standou, Rhodes, Bowman, Shaffer, and Fry are inclined to misbehave. It was suggested that the teachers keep their eyes on these and give them plenty of work.

October 6, 1887
Mr. Early is either stupid or lazy. It is thought to be the former.

October 13, 1887
Messrs Garrett and Wentz met Misses Campbell and Myers in Shenks Lane by appointment. They were spoken to and seemed penitent.

December 1, 1887
Miss Heisen is reported as being very nervous.

December 19, 1887
The Prin. asked how long it would take Miss Heisen to graduate. It was thought that she would be able to graduate in three years; finishing the junior course in two years. She is not brilliant.

January 2, 1888
Mr. Bitner reported Messrs Heitz, Seiger, Hercheroth, Kline and Garrett went to Mr. Bowman’s room, and after being invited in they began to sing songs and make a noise; then blew out the light put snow in the bed. Mr. Garret stole Mr. Bowman’s pillow retuning it only after being requested by Mr. Bitner. It was done to annoy Mr. Bowman.

January 10, 1888
The Prin. gave the following directions concerning the use of the steam in the classroom:

In turning on the steam, open the steam valve first, and after a short time open the return valve. The return pipe is at the left of the radiator and is smaller then the steam pipe.

In turning off the steam close the return valve first then the steam valve.

In case the radiator does not get warm, open the air valve, which is found at the same end of the radiator as the return pipe.

January 23, 1888
The ladies are not to go skating except with a teacher. No boys are accompany them nor skate with them.

January 23, 1888
The rules for the anniversary will be the same as our former session.
1. Ladies having gentlemen friends visiting them can sit with them by permission.
2. Gentlemen having lady friends visiting them can sit with them without permission.

February 6, 1888
Notes from the Prin:
1. The Teachers should endeavor to give our Summer students Eng[lish] idioms for their German idioms.

March 12, 1888
The Prin. reported that Mr. Sheaffer bought a flask of whiskey from his father’s store in Lanc. which he took without his knowledge. Mr. Sheaffer, Reflogle, Seyler, Warfel, McCulloch, and Simmons drank the whiskey in Mr. Sheaffer’s room. The four gentlemen first named were playing cards and some of them were smoking at the same time. All theses gentlemen signed a paper in harmony with the facts stated above.

The Prin. appointed the following committee to investigate the matter with power to act.

April 4, 1888
The Prin. asked if there is any indication to violating the regulation of the school. None were mentioned except prominading[?] in front of the school. Can the lady’s teachers create a sentiment against this? Should the yard gates be locked at the ringing of the study bell in the evening?

May 29, 1888
There was more noise at the Page Anniversary than usual. The matter was discussed and propriety of getting a policeman was mentioned. No definite conclusion was reached.

September 24. 1888
Mr. Chas. H. Warfel was reported for attending a meeting of the Republicans in Room 4.

September 24. 1888
Look after Miss Putzman. Grace Wiley is said to have said that she cheated her way through her senior year.

November 26, 1888
The music in the societies is not very good. The students may consult the music teachers on the subject.

December 17, 1888
Should we prohibit the ladies from visiting in the village? The question was discussed but no conclusion was reached.

February 4. 1889
A letter from Mr. Upcroft was read in which he states that his daughter has not made any progress since she has been at school. It is the opinion of the Faculty that she has improved very much this term.

March 11, 1889
Health: The general health of the school is good. It was stated that Mr. Horace Styer, one of our day students from Lancaster died this morning, from hemorrhage. He was present at school up to Tuesday of last week. His division selected four of their number to attend the funeral and the Page Society two. Some members of the division requested the Prin. to permit them to attend the funeral in a body. After some consideration it was thought best not to grant the request. On motion of Mr. Hull the number of representatives from the class was increased to six and the division excused from duty on Thursday from noon, the day of the funeral.

The school will bear half of the expenses of the representatives. Mr. Styer was a very earnest and faithful student; Every teacher speaks of him in the highest terms.

March 11, 1889
The matter of holding examinations was discussed and the following suggestions made:
1. In order to prevent cheating on examinations, one should endeavor to cultivate a high tone of morals.
2. The teacher should be watchful.
3. Do not make the examinations too hard.
4. Do not make the examinations too long.

April 4, 1889
Mr. J.H. Wilson is allowed to enter a few classes and not recite on account of an impediment in his speech. Teachers will give him careful attention.

Millersville, Pa, April 11, 1889
Mr. Lansinger stated that some of the students were out boating on Sunday. The Prin. will announce that there is to be no boating on Sunday.

The Prin. will also announce that there is to be no lawn tennis or baseball played until after 3.30 P.M.

Mrs. Monroe will give her entertainments in the chapel on Friday and Saturday evenings, April 19 and 20. Her lecture on “Life in Washington” and “The Civil War” were selected.

Millersville, May 13, 1889
Mr. Mumma had a tooth extracted at Dr. Hiestand’s office. But by some accident it slipped from the forceps and went down the wind pipe. The accident was regarded by the physicians serious enough to send him to the University at Phila. where he is at present.

Millersville, Pa, May 20, 1889
Mr. Brubaker received a letter from Mr. Mumma in which he states that he is improving and will be able walk around in three or four days. It is not known what has become of the tooth.

Millersville, May 13, 1889
Mr. Harvey Smith received 5 demerits for annoying the watchman.

Millersville, Pa, May 27, 1889
Conduct – Harvey Smith declares he did not halloo at the watchman. A motion was made by Miss Gilbert and seconded by Miss Landis to excuse Mr. Smith’s demerits for the above offense. The motion was lost.

Millersville, Pa, May 20, 1889
It was thought that Miss Mary J. Miller was dissatisfied with her classification and left school for this reason. She stated that she was able to pass Mental Arith. Geo .and Ortho. but could not do so because she was not in passing classes. It was found on inquiry that she was in passing classes of all the above studies.

Mr. H.S. Thatcher left school for not having, as he stated, equal privileges with other students in Latin and Eng. Grammar. There is no foundation for the accusation, and he is therefore thought to have withdrawn from school without sufficient excuse.

June 10, 1889
The senior class asked to remain until July 5th in order to hold a class picnic. The matter was carefully considered and the prevailing sentiment was against granting the request.

June 10, 1889
It was reported that some of the students were throwing stones, sticks etc. through the halls; and Mr. Ricker was detected in doing it. After some consultation Mr. Bitner moved that Mr. Ricker be suspended. The matter was referred to Messrs Byerly, Hull and Bitner as a committee to investigate the charge and report to the Prin.

8.30 P.M. June 10, 1889
The committee consisting of Messrs Byerly, Hull and Bitner to investigate the charge against Mr. Ricker met in the office.

Mr. J.S. Ricker was called in and the charge against him was read by the secretary. Mr. Ricker said he was guilty of the misdemeanor but was induced to do it by Mr. Markle.
He did it but once; was very sorry that it occurred and did not want his parents to know it.

The matter was very carefully considered in the presence of the Prin. and the following punishment recommended: Mr. Ricker be obliged to board out of the building during the remainder of the term and not be allowed to enter the gentlemen’s building under penalty of suspension. We further request the Prin. to state to the school that any one hereafter detected in a similar misdemeanor will not be dealt with so leniently.

June 13, 1889
The Prin. stated that Mr. Hartzler had detected some of the [?] making a noise in the front yard.
Messrs Shepp and Bartley were on a tree[?] singing songs after the last retiring bell, which was a violation of the announcement made by the Prin. in the morning of open exercises. The Prin. investigated the matter and Mr. Bartley confessed that he was on the tree[?], but Mr. Shepp would not say that he was or was not up the tree[?].

Mr. Byerly moved that the boys who were caught on the tree[?] be suspended.

June 20, 1889
The Prin. stated that some boxes, a chair and other objects were thrown through the hall.

It is known that Messrs Kline, Baker, and Lerch were engaged in the matter. The statement made by these gentlemen will be found in the Prin’s black book.
The facts concisely stated are as follows:
Mr. Baker brought a box from the garret[?] after the last retiring bell and later in the evening threw it out of the window into the square. Messrs Kline and Lerch brought a box from the garret about the same time. Mr. Kline brought a chair from the same place[?]. Messrs Lerch and Baker admitted the facts at once. Mr. Kline at first denied most of the charge against him but finally confessed the whole matter to Messrs Hull and Sanford.

The committee thought theses gentlemen deserved suspension. Mr. Lerch having withdrew from school no action was taken in his case. Mr. Baker’s general good conduct and Mr. Kline’s frankness with some members of the committee led them to believe that if friends of these students should vouch for their deportment they [sic] punishment would be changed.