The faculty hosted a dinner in honor of the three new members of the Phi Beta Kappa Fraternity on the 40th anniversary of the fraternity's Alpha Chapter in Pennsylvania. These new members were Helen M. Bowser, Mary A. Brightbill and Paul D. McNamee (all class of 1927).
The Interfraternity Council wanted to become independent from Senate on the basis of wanting to create a new constitution and to strengthen their council. Dean of Men, Amos B. Horlacher, worked with and advised IFC to create a new constitution. IFC stated that independence from Senate would give them a better opportunity to address fraternity problems.
One of the student delegates that attended the conference, Moorad Mooradian, described the accomplishments of the Second West Point Conference on United States Affairs at the Military Academy. The conference was sponsored by the Academy at West Point and the Carnegie foundation. According to Mooradian, the conference tested the instructional values and possibilities of conference programs at an undergraduate level, to compare the faculty and undergraduate level, and to create foreign policies for the United States in the Far East.
Two Dickinson students were chosen to represent Dickinson College as delegates at the Second West Point West Point Student Conference on Student Affairs to discuss The Far East Policy of the United States. Lawrence J. Lichtenstein and Moorad G. Mooradian were the students designated by Dr. Charles B. Kepner, the head of the Political Science and Sociology department, to attend the conference. The conference took place from December 6-9th at the Military Academy.
Women became eligible to be members of the Theological Society due to their new constitutional change. This society was open to anyone who planned to enter into the Christian service such as pastoral work, social service, and broad field of missions.
President approved the All-College Social Committee’s plan to have a snack bar in South College. The snack bar was appointed to be sponsored by the All-College Social Committee and managed by a sub-committee comprised of three students.
The Social Committed presented a proposal for a snack bar in South College. At that time, South College was used for social affairs and a gathering space. The plan proposed that this space be converted into a student-operated union. Students who worked in the union would be paid. The social committee want to add pin ball machines, booth, and other decorations in South College. Expenses for the snack bar would have been supplied by the All-College Social Committee funds and then repaid within the first year of operation.
The Hornbook is a literary publication sponsored by the student organization Belles Lettres Society. They altered the literary publication to released two publications per year. The organization increased their issues in response to the popularity of their copy the previous year. Readers commented on the publication’s stylish format and the variety of material. Niso Malaret guided this plan.
The Beta Beta chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha held their annual Founder's Day dinner at a lodge at King's Gap. This dinner was organized by president Sally Siefert and the Zeta Tau Alpha alumnae group, while Ellie Smith (class of 1960), president of the Beta Beta chapter, arranged the chapter's participation.
The Interfraternity Council held the first social function of the 1959-1960 academic year, which consisted of a jazz concert as well as a dance.
Almost 900 students, along with 25 faculty and staff members participated in Oxfam America's "Thirteenths Fast for a World Harvest". A contribution of over four dollars for each participant was made to Oxfam America. The Dickinson community participated in the fast along with college campuses across the country. The Oxfam program had been in effect for over eight years and experienced a significant increase in participation from the preceding year at Dickinson.
Fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon implemented policies of "Dry Rush", requiring proof of age at the bar. Ed Paulis, President of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, stated "Our national has suggested these policies before we have an option whether we want to do this or not, but we decided to experiment with a "Dry Rush". The policies came about due to the liability fraternities are under due to underage drinking.
Panhellenic and Inter-Fraternity Council combined efforts to put on Greek Week, with most of the money benefiting United Way, or other local charities. The week kicked off with a hot air balloon on the baseball field, with the goal of giving rides for $1, but weather did not permit the balloon to leave the ground. Later days featured an Olympic Triathlon, Greek God and Goddess contest, boxing tournament, dating game, send a friend to jail event, and hospital bed races down a blocked off Louther Street. The event raised a few hundred dollars for charity.
The Dickinson College Chapter of Amnesty International held its first meeting after a semester of inactivity on Thursday, April 4. According to the club's public relations officer, Carolyn Herbner, the club failed last semester due to a lack of student and financial support from the college community. Amnesty International was founded in 1961 as a worldwide organization void of political or ideological affiliations that works on behalf of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Elections for Student Senate officer positions were held on Wednesday, February 27th. Junior Dean Kremer was elected president, sophomore Ellen Poris elected vice president, and sophomore Ted Martin elected treasurer. Kremer emphasized the All-College Committee elections, resolving noise policy issues, increasing publicity of campus activities, and fostering better communication between students and administration. Each officer planned to make changes within the operation of their offices and execution of their duties.
Four brothers of Beta Theta Pi spent twenty-four hours sitting on poles in order to fund raise for the Carlisle Local Action Center (C.L.A.C.). The organization provided food for needy citizens, recreation and activities for underprivileged youth, and jobs for senior citizens and teenagers. With media coverage from the College radio station, Channel 21 news, The Evening Sentinel, and The Patriot, the brothers raised $1,500 for the charity.
The Student Senate sponsored a "College Day" for Carlisle high school students. The purpose of "College Day" was to give these students an idea of what college life was like on a small campus. Five students from each of the nine high schools participated and were assigned a guide based on their interests.
The Student Senate Elections Committee used voting machines, which were on loan from the Borough of Carlisle, for the first time in the class elections held in South College on November 13. The Dickinsonian reported that Elections Committee chair Carolyn Gourley (Class of 1959) attributed the record turnout to the Student Senate's decision to run the elections for the first time, the new machines, and increased publicity.
On Friday, October 20, 1961, the first all-college Military Ball of the school year was held with a Civil War theme. The festivities started at 9 PM and began with the introduction of senior officers and crowning of the "Little Colonel." Nominees for the "Little Colonel" included Barbara Duval (Pi Beta Phi), Carney Green (Chi Omega), Lynn Davis (Phi Mu), and the previous years Pledge Princess, Ginny Sutton (Pi Beta Phi). Billy Butterfield and his six piece orchestra performed and kept the night alive until 1 AM.
The Beta Beta chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha fraternity introduced their 19 pledges at the college tea held in their honor at Drayer Hall.
During their meeting, the female student contingent of the Social Rules Evaluation Committee (SERC) discussed alcohol usage on campus. They agreed that alcohol consumption should only occur in fraternity houses and during their functions.
Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity was notified that, beginning next fall, the College will not renew its lease for at least two years. Leonard Goldberg, Dean of Educational Services, recommended that action because the fraternity failed to make improvements in regards to cleanliness and damage to the house. The notification came after significant damage was sustained on Thursday, April 19.
Beta Theta Pi fraternity raised over $2,000 for the Tri-County Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (M.A.D.D.) through a 24-hour pole-sitting marathon. Five brothers of the fraternity, Brian Latimer, Steve Werner, Ray Marsh, Sachin Jogal, and Dave Markay braved the elements to stay atop the poles, amid a great deal of publicity.