New York University - Violet Yearbook (New York, NY)

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Robert Rubinger and Joel Zimmerman. Bob Rubinger was our President and Zimmerman our Secretary. This time the leader of the class was from the Arts school and the 'scribe' from the Engineering College. It must be remembered that in October 194-4 the Faculty Committee on Student Activities issued an edict which prohibited any Frosh Hazing whatsoever. Severe penalties were to be imposed on any offenders of this rule. Though not directly involved or affected by this order, the class of '4-6, which had always stood for in- creased school spirit, felt that the underclass- men were being deprived of an age-old tradi- tion. They felt that this tradition acted in the best possible manner in welding the various classes in the school into a homogeneous mass. Led by President Rubinger the Seniors present- ed a plan to the Faculty whereby they would act as policemen or referees to conserve the traditional hazing activities. They also agreed to take full responsibility to preserve the prop- erty of the campus as well as its tranquility. For the two weeks during which the hazing lasted, the seniors sporting gold buttons in their lapels walked around the campus over-seeing the process of hazing. At times, it seemed as if things would get out of hand and that both Sophomores and Freshman would disregard the dictates of the Seniors. But again resorting to the cry of HEY '4-6 , sufficient seniors were concentrated in one area to make any resistance by either class absurd. Although hazing was carried on there was no Bloodless Thursday, for it was felt fand rightly sol that the excitement engendered by that day would prove too much for the Seniors to cope with. ln any reminiscences about hazing one must remember our beloved John the Cop Whose firm hand was always in evidence whenever some Freshman was being unnecessarily hazed. It was because of his absence that the Faculty Committee felt hazing would get out of hand. It is hoped that, with this precedent that the Senior Class of 194-6 has set, hazing will con- tinue to be a part of New York University life. The end of hazing officially came for the Freshmen on a chilly night in November. The Seniors led by Kenneth Ewald saw to it that the Frosh, clad in multi-colored pajamas, got a warm reception as they ran the gauntlet of the paddle-wielding seniors. To top off a night of fun the Beat City-Frosh Ducking Dance was held and was a rousing success. In the first week of December when Presi- dent Rubinger really started his term of office, he appointed a Senior Council to help him ad- minister his olhce. Appointed to his council were Morris Brenner, Bernard Lepselter and Joel Zimmerman fex oflicioi all of the College of Engineering. The College of Arts and Pure Science was represented by Louis Soletsky, Les- ter Leight and Leonard Polonsky, President of the ESAC. Wishing to continue the tradition of the class of 34-6 as the one class on the campus to approach pre-war status, President Rubinger and his council chose as their first job that of making sure of the appearance of the Senior year-book. With that end in mind, and also with the intention of giving equal representation to both Colleges on the campus, he appointed as Co- editors of the VIOLET Aaron Morgenstein of the College of Engineering and Bernard Lieber- man of the College of Arts and Pure Science. These appointments were made in February 1945, following the commencement of the new Arts College term. However, after several weeks, Morgenstein found it impossible to continue on with the job and he resigned his position. The council was then left with the question of who to appoint in his place, and with no troubled settled on George Karron, former Business Manager of the Heights Daily News. With these appointments taken care of, the Senior President turned to the question of the all important Senior Prom. Bernard Lepselter was chosen as the Prom Chairman. He was faced

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SENIOR PROM Under the leadership of Benjamin Hampton the Social Functions Committee got under Way, and with Chairman Miles Ginsberg at its helm the Prom Publicity Committee began intensive and extensive advertising of the forth-coming event. Through the diligent work of both of these Committees the successful prom was organized within five weeks time. The class council de- cided to contribute to its success by subsidizing forty percent of the cost to all Juniors who would attend. With this incentive the Prom was held on April 28th. It took place at the Hurricane Club and a majority of the Junior class at- tended. Adding to the success of the Junior Promenade was the fact that an entire section in the center of the club had been reserved for the Junior class. Duke Ellington and his band supplied the entertainment. Not seeking to make money for the class treasury the Junior Prom- enade lost money, but all who attended felt that the loss was sufficiently compensated for by the good time had by all. With all that was going on the class managed to get men to man the Mall in anticipation of a Mall Rush which did not materialize as Frosh Hazing was banned by the office of Student Personnel. Class activity remained at a low point until the fall. With the return of cool weather and lighter class schedules the Junior Class be- gan to perk up again. Football gave an added impetus to our activities. With its return came the advent once again of the Football rallies and dances. The Junior class took the lead in sponsoring the now famous and highly success- ful '6Beat City Rally and Dancew. This dance marked the high spot of social events for this season. Under the direction of President Morris Brenner and Dance Committee Chairman Allan Kritzer the dance proved to be a huge success. It was attended by such a great number of students that its profits were sufficient to make up for the deficit incurred by the Junior Prom- enade. Not only that but the class treasury was built up to the extent necessary to make the subsidizing of the Senior Prom possible and also have suflicient money left to present a class gift to the school and enable the class to put out a VIOLET that came close to being of prewar content and quality. Thus our Junior year came to an end in grand style. We are now Seniors and some of us will graduate on June 13th. But again as Seniors our activities were not of a colorless nature, since we strove to outshine all the other classes on the campus, and we did. Elections were held for officers to govern the senior class. Chosen for this task were

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with the question of a formal or semi-formal, or informal prom. The question was solved by sending out cards to all the Seniors request- ing them to indicate their wishes. As was to be expected the overwhelming vote was for an in- formal dinner-dance. Then came the problem of where to hold the affair. Scouring the town the final report seemed to indicate the Hotel Delmonico. The date set was April 21st. The night of April 21st was for all who at- tended a memorable one. ln all there were forty couples present. Again following the example of the Junior Promenade the class treasury sub- sidized the cost of the affair and also made possible the distribution of souvenirs to all the ladies present. At the dinner-dance, Mr. and Mrs. Maurel Hunkins and Mr. and Mrs. P. A. Porteous pre- sided as honored guests of a proud Senior Class. The night was a fitting climax to our activities on the New York University Campus. There was only one more hurdle to come to before we say a fond good-bye and become alumni, and that is Commencement. On June 13, 1945, the class of 1946 will graduate most of the members. On September 24, 1942, we started out with a class in excess of 600 students. Three years later, after war took its toll, only 100 of us are left and not all of that number will graduate, for many of them have not seen fit to take an ac- celerated program. We are leaving the campus. Many of us will enter professional schools, and many more of us will enter the business world. But we shall never forget our memorable days on the New York University Campus. '