Memphis State University - DeSoto Yearbook (Memphis, TN)

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Beginning in 1912 students had to face admission standards based on moral character, mandatory church attendance and dress codes. All of these were part of Memphis State ' s Rules and Regulations Rules and Regulations

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j he location for the State • i Normal School plant is all J that could be desired. The sight embraces 81 acres of land.. .on the Southern Railroad, and connects with the city by a regular street car line also. ...The buildings are located on an elevation which drains naturally in all directions.... The community has been free from typhoid and malaria for many years. ...In short, we are offering all the advantages of the city and retaining all the advantages of the country. Does this sound familiar? That was how the West Tennessee State Normal School Bulletin described MSU ' s location 75 years ago to all the incoming students. Thanks to donations of land, money and $300,000 in bond pledges, Memphis beat out the cities of Humboldt, Milan, Trenton and Covington for the coveted teacher ' s college which Governor Malcom Patterson agreed to have built in West Tennessee. Also considered for the Normal School location was an abandoned high school on Poplar, a sight in Raleigh and one on Macon near Graham. However, Joseph H. Creath ' s cotton field on the Southern Railroad was the unanimous choice by the State Committee. The state purchased the eighty- plus acres for $25,600 in 1911. The land, which now lies between Walker, Patterson, Zach Curlin and south of Norriswood, is still at the heart of the campus. In 1912, Memphis had a population of 131,105 (1910 census); and an area of 20.1 square miles. The new campus was well outside of Memphis, which only went as far as East Parkway. The school was not annexed into the city until 1929. During the early days, Southern, Goodlett and Spottswood streets were graded dirt roads. Some of Mr. Creath ' s dead cotton stalks were still lying around the campus to be stepped on by the new students. Parking tickets were no problem; there was no parking on campus. li w I 0 111 K 111 Instead, students could take the five- cent street car ride to town or catch a train at the Normal Station for longer trips. The station was closed in 1949 and demolished in 1950, but its foundation is still visible between the train tracks and Walker Avenue. Today Memphis ' population has grown to 645,760 and encompasses 264 square miles. The eastern edge of the city limits is now about eight miles past the campus. Some of Memphis ' suburbs such as Bartlett and Germantown have grown more in the last 15 years than Memphis has in the last 75, adding more potential students to MSU. The former small country college has now grown into a large commuter university. A majority of students are from the Memphis area and commute to school, but there are still many from other areas of the state, country and world. Devin Greaney (Map courtesy of MSU Cartographic Services) Captured Memories

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On Sept. 10, 1912, the State Normal School of West Tennessee opened for business. The school ' s purpose was for the education and professional training of teachers for the public schools of the State. Those admitted to the school to learn the art of educating the state ' s children, entered with certain rules and regulations to follow. The conditions for admission were simply stated. The school was open and free alike to white males and females who were residents of Tennessee. And along with certain scholastic requirements, students also had to present a certificate of good moral character from some responsible person. The state was not obligated to train someone unqualified to exert a wholesome spiritual influence upon the lives of children. Those entering in 1912 had other rules to deal with after being accepted to the school. Unless excused by the president, students must be present at all general exercises of the school. Girls could not leave the campus campus without the permission of the matron and were not permitted to go to town unless accompanied by a chaperon. They were also not allowed to receive company on school days. Also, all pupils were urged to attend church at least once each Sunday. Noticeably absent from the rules governing the 1912 students were those concerning dress. In 1912, no well brought-up young lady would need to be told what to wear and where to wear it. However, times changed and so did fashion. As late as 1968, extensive dress codes were part of the student handbook. Appropriate dress for women, whether in the classroom, office buildings, the library reading room, Rules NDUCT CODES OTOTO the University Center or the cafeteria was a dress or skirt and blouse. Slacks or shorts were appropriate for women only when working behind stage, participating in sports and attending outings. Women were allowed to wear slacks in the library only to return books. And even on Saturdays, women were not allowed to wear slacks into classroom buildings. Dress was even dictated for social functions. The students were told when to wear formals and heels. The male students were told when dark suits or tuxedos were appropriate, as well as when casual clothes were allowed. They were also warned that under no circumstances should such casual attire (shorts) be worn when calling for a date at the women ' s residence halls. Never- theless, as the miniskirt rose in popularity, the dress codes changed. By 1970, the dress code in the student handbook was reduced to two sentences. Students are expected to maintain appropriate standards of dress while on the campus. Health regulations require that an acceptable foot covering be worn in public places. The rules concerning student activities covered other things besides dress. The 1948 student handbook listed specific rules about smoking. Smoking is permitted for men students on the first and second floors of the Administration Building, except in classrooms. Smoking in any buildings where floors are of wood composition is discouraged. We girls prefer not to smoke in public. Eventually, the only reference made to smoking merely stated that smoking was not allowed in the classrooms. As the times changed, so did the rules. Students were given more responsibility in making decisions concerning their behavior. These rule changes were just another step taken along the way from a state Normal school to a state university. Linda Moore Captured Memories