Brown University - Liber Brunensis Yearbook (Providence, RI)

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SOPHOMORE CLASS The Sophomore Class, aside from being 550 stu- dents attending Brown University, exists as an or- ganized group whose purpose is to plant the roots of the Class of 1953 firmly in Brown tradition and cus- tom, and to make the members of the class strong and enthusiastic alumni as a result of having created a close tie between Brown and the students. Some of the more important functions of the class are: to issue class news letters, which inform the members about the financial status of the class, as well as keeping them aware of class activities; to re- vise the Vigilance Committee so as to enable next year's group to be a stronger and more efficient unit; to arouse in the men of '53 an enthusiastic interest in the work of the Brown Key; and to provide men who are adequately equipped to maintain the tradi- tions and capably carry out the work of the Key. In the Fall of 1950 the main task of the Class of 1953 was to undertake and successfully complete the hazing of freshmen. The purpose of this hazing was to effect the unification of the Freshman Class to enable it to go through four years at college in true Brown fashion. The Sophomore Class feels that it has helped to create a stronger unity in the Class of 1954. The highlight of the hazing period of '53's fresh- 1949. The Vigilance Committee had planned to raid the freshman dormi- man year was on September 27, tories, but the anticipated raid failed to materialize. '53 was prepared. About 200 strong the freshmen massed on the College Green in front of the Chapel steps and in chorus chanted, No more Beanies . The 12 PAUL GOLDMAN president WINTHROP WILBUR vice-president RICHARD MENDELSOHN secretary JOHN SCHEMICK EEEESUEER VC. did as much as possible to prevent this action, but the freshmen, by sheer weight of numbers, over- powered the V.C. and discarded the traditional beanies. This action on the part of the men of '53 went to prove that the long hazing period of two months was unwieldy. The Sophomore Class, under o R e period of the new freshmen to two weeks. This con- the guidance of the reduced the hazing centrated hazing proved much more efficient and the Sophomores have added again their small bit to a better Brown University. Class officers were: Paul Goldman, president; Win Wilbur, vice-president; Richard Mendelsohn, secre- tary; and John Schemick, treasurer.

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cc . and cheer for the first big dance. The important change in 1950-51 was the increase of officers to four men, led by freshman president Ashby Dean. Also serving the class were Robert Glass, vice-president; Laurance Good, secretary; and Paul Greeley, treasurer. Soon after this the '54 Class Council was organ- ized. Its first positive action was the circulation of a petition urging the Cammarian Club to recommend to the administration the continuance of sophomore car privileges, which were to be suspended in the Activities night confusion. Fall of 1951. The petition was successfully presented to the Cammarian Club, and the recommendation was forwarded to the administration. At about this time the freshman newspaper was organized, and a beer party was planned. The largest project of the year was the mid-winter class dance presented in cooperation with the Sophomore Coun- el During the past year members of the Class of '54 distinguished themselves in student activities, sports, and scholarship. Their strong spirit and energetic activity forecast the continued excellence of Brown spirit and traditien.

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Vigilance Committee The purposes of the Vigilance Committee, more popularly known as the V.C , is to unite the fresh- man class as a unit, and to instill within it the cus- toms and traditions of Brown University. The V.C, comprised of 24 carefully interviewed, and very capable sophomores, executed one of the most successful freshman hazing periods ever effected before at Brown. Every member of the committee handled his job in the most expedient manner. The Those nasty, nasty old raids. Front row, left to right: Nichols, Calkins, Wilbur, Wenzel, Clark, Dowling. Second row. Pollard, Hartman, Hayes, Markowitz, Liv- ingston. Back row. Harvie, Amann, Jones, Thompson, Brady. hazing period, concentrated into two weeks, experi- enced no trouble, and very handily accomplished its purposes. This may be attested to by a poll taken among the freshmen. Some innovations which were installed as part of the annual Vigilance Committee program were: Daily sings on the Faunce House Terrace, which helped greatly to teach the Brown- lings the college songs, a VC . court to deal out pun- ishments to uncooperative freshmen by making them sing publicly, or by dousing them with a water-filled milk can. The reason for the milk can being used for punishment rather than the traditicnal and archaic Pump was that the latter was removed and hidden by the freshmen. A thorough search by the V.C. was to no avail, and the hiding place of the handle re- mained a secret until well after the hazing period had ended. It was returned at the Princeton football rally and placed again in its old position on the pump. Although this act may seem base, and not befitting the conduct of loyal Brown freshmen, the V.C. feels that it contributed to the success of the program by showing some of the spirit which it was the intention of the V.C. to promote. The hazing period was climaxed by the annual Flag Rush, which for the third time in 40 years was won by an up-for-the-game freshman class. The mass of freshmen clamoring for the flag atop the greased pole could not be repulsed by the small knot of sophomores opposing them. After the Flag Rush a gala dance was held at Alumni Hall by the sopho- more and freshman classes jointly. The Vigilance Committee was led by E. Howard Wenzel, Jr., chairman, and Winthrop V Wilbur, secretary.