University of Massachusetts Amherst - Index Yearbook (Amherst, MA)

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Frosh Hazing Paddles and parades, sidewalk scrub- bing, and pond pushing combined to start another year of green frosh on the right path. Despite a drastic lack of sophomore supervision, the freshman boys were kept well in hand through the combined efforts of all upperclass men. Although these newest Statesmen were a little flip at first because of superiority in numbers, they were soon dismayed to learn that the upperclassmen were very adept in the social graces such as giving parties, particularly those situated in the vicinity of the College Pond, as they demonstrated at the rope pull. An invita- tion to these great occasions as guest of honor was easily obtained by disobeying a few of the upperclass whims. During the fall, the annual blossoming of the maroon caps added color to the campus scenery. According to the coeds, the feature of greatest delight was the musical hour conducted every morning for a week at six o ' clock in front of the dorms. The freshman girls were by no means forgotten this year. They, too, lightened the atmosphere with snowy white berets emblazoned with maroon class numerals. For three miserable weeks, they were forced by maroon beribboned sopho- mores to do any small tasks required. Certain taboos, such as no makeup un- less specified, keeping off the center walks of Stockbridge and the Libe, hop- ping the numerals on the sidewalk, and wearing identification pins all served to give the frosh the necessary feeling of humbleness. They quickly learned to detour around the upperclass hangout, the College Store, for fear of being forced to demonstrate their dramatic talent from table tops to a deriding audience. During the week of concentrated haz- ing, the freshman women were required to wear special clothing on three days. Monday was Baby Day, and the frosh acted accordingly, wearing their hair in pigtails, sucking lollypops, and lisping. Moron Day fell on Wednesday, when the girls wore violently clashing clothes back- wards and unmatched socks, and carried umbrellas, which they opened upon the upperclass yell of Air Raid! On Friday, everyone decked out in navy longs, crew caps, and sports equipment to carry out a motif of Sports Day. The most useful piece of equipment required, from an upperclass point of view, was the huge cardboard plaque around each fresh- man ' s neck with her name and home town printed upon it. The following week came the climax: the Torchlight Parade. Most of the col- lege turned out, marching behind the ASTRP band to the Amherst Common. College spirit was high, and except for the lack of organization and leading of the crowd, the parade set a promising prece- dent. [25 1

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»ummer Sch ool The purpose of the 1944 summer session was to provide opportunity for some students to accelerate their college pro- gram, and for others to prepare for en- trance into professional school and spe- cialized work. This session consisted of two six-week terms, from June 5 to August 26. One hundred and seventy- two students were enrolled, including an entering class of thirty -five freshmen. Of this number, one hundred and sixteen students returned for the fall semester. Under this two-semester plan, a student could enroll for one or both semesters, and was expected to carry six semester credits during each term. Each three semester credit course met for double periods five times weekly. Most labora- tory periods were scheduled in the after- noon. The curriculum was diversified and inclusive, offering specialized courses in eight major fields. The faculty consisted of the regular college staff. Students were housed in college dor- mitories, the women living in the Abbey and the men in North College. The Dra- per Hall cafeteria was used by all stu- dents. On July 5, a group of three hundred and thirty-three ASTRP students entered Mass. State, and a second group of fifty- four, on August 2. They were housed in Lewis and Thatcher Halls. A wide range of social activities was promoted by a student-faculty com- mittee composed of Mr. Larry Briggs and Miss Jean McNamara representing the faculty, and Pat Jennings ' 45, Joanne Freelander ' 46, Swiftie Johnston ' 45, Janet Bemis ' 46, George Gray ' 48, and Arnold Murray ' 46 representing the students. Among the highlights were Softball and tennis tournaments; vie parties; a picnic; a chimes concert; a hay ride and corn roast, held at the rifle range, at which the male members of the faculty cooked, while the students enjoyed a swimming party; a pops con- cert on the Abbey lawn; and Hale Wood- ruff at Social Union, speaking on Art in a Democracy. On weekends, the students and cadets frequented ye olde swimming hole (popular name for the ice pond). Early in the morning, they packed picnic lunches and bicycled to North Amherst, getting cokes and candy at the corner store. After swimming and diving for some time, everyone was ready for lunch. After- wards, the campers often lent their canoes; and though some were always tipped, everyone reached shore safely and pedalled back to campus to arrive in time for supper. The attitude of the students was ex- cellent, and scholastic achievements were very satisfactory. Because of the con- centrated plan of study, there was less opportunity for distraction than during the winter semester, and a more thorough working knowledge of subjects was at- tained. 24

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ormdls In spite of the prevailing war-time restrictions, the campus is gradually returning to normal. Each year finds the revival of another old tradition, and the formal dances are on the increase. Through the combined efforts of the ROTC and the ASTRP, a military ball was given this year on December 16th. Strictly Military was the theme, from the decorations to the band which pro- vided the music, the Bradley Field Or- chestra. The chief high-light of the evening was the selection of the Honorary Col- onel, Marion McCarthy ' 46. Captain Winslow E. Ryan presented the Colonel with a Massachusetts State College gold locket, and a military cape, which she will wear when she reviews the troops in the spring. The committee in charge included Jim Falvey, Clarence Burley, Bill Cour- chene, all of the class of ' 47 and ROTC men; the ASTRP was represented by George McAloon, Joseph Rooney, and Roswell Bosworth. Lt. Jones did a great deal in advising for plans. In keeping with the custom on the MSC campus, there was also held this year a Winter Carnival Weekend, on February ninth and tenth. Friday night, lights and an amplifying system were installed at the college pond. The students themselves enjoyed skating and watching an exhibition presented by the Ice Bergs from Springfield. This was followed by a ski boot dance in M em Hall. That same evening. Pi Beta Phi cap- tured the honors in the snow sculpture competition with their Ski Trooper. Second prize went to Sigma Iota with their Dopey, one of the Seven Dwarfs; and third place was awarded to North College for their sculpture of a Valentine. The judges for the snow sculpture were Dr. Helming, Professor Robertson and Mr. Varley. The awards were made at the ball, Saturday night. Saturday afternoon ' s events began with an exhibition in the pool by the Naiads. Their water ballet included water wheels, stars, and letter formations, including a gigantic M. The skiing events were held on the hill behind Thatcher Hall. In the men ' s slalom, first place was taken by Fernand Bartlett, and second place was tied be- tween George Pushee and Donald Smith. The men ' s downhill was won by Donald Glazier with George Pushee taking second place. The women ' s slalom and downhill were won by Sally Swift. The second place in both events was taken by a Mount Holyoke representative. Gloria Bonazzoli outsped every one to win the cross country event. The ASTRP boys, with the permission of Captain Ryan, entered the events, and the novices were there too, taking spills with the best of them, but taking more. The climax of the week-end was the 26