Kappa Alpha Theta Journal, Vol. 19 no. 3

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KAPPA ALPHA THETA Published by the Fraternity Edited by Alpha Beta — Swarthmore JANUARY MARCH MAY NOVEMBER TABLE OF CONTENTS March Fifth, 1905 Glimpses of Home Life in Italy, Mary Sifton Pepper, - 147 Mabel Packard, Dei/ta Aeumnae, . 150 Self Government Association at Wisconsin, Lambda Adumnae, 151 Rambles of a Botanist in Switzerland, Aepha Epsieon, - - 154 The College Woman’s Club of Los Angeles, 'Iota Aeumnae, 157 House Management of Rho Chapter, Rho, - - - - 160 District Visits, Aureue M. Reynaud, - 168 AtavevajueOa - -- -- -- -- - 105 Editorials . 175 Chapter Letters . 178 Alumnae Department - -- -- -- - 201 Personals - . - 205 News from the College World. . 211 Exchanges ---------- - 213 Published by Charaplin Printing Company, 78 East Gay Street, Columbus, Ohio. J&TAll material intended for publication must reach the Editor before October 6, December 5, February 6 , April 6. TERMS: $1.00 per Year, payable In advance; 25 cents Single Copy; Sample Copy Free. Kappa Alpha Theta will be sent to all subscribers until ordered discontinued and arrearages paid, as required by law. Entered at the Post Office at Columbus, Ohio, as 6econd-class matter, December 6th, 1901.

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FRATERNITY DIRECTORY GRAND COUNCIL President . Ednah Harmon Wickson, 2723 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, Cal. Vice-Presidents . Aurelie M. Reynaud, “Fleetwood.” Mt. Ver¬ non, New York. Grace Eagleson, 84 N. Ohio Ave., Columbus, Ohio. Anna E. Harrison, 1243 Western Ave., To¬ peka, Kansas. Mrs. E. A. Garrettson, 4548 14th Ave., N. E., Seattle, Wash. Secretary . Pearle Green, Stanford University, Cal. Treasurer . Edith D. Cockins, 1348 Neil Ave., Columbus, Ohio. Editor of the Journal Caroline Farren Comly, 3311 Arch St., Phil¬ adelphia, Pa. ADVISORY BOARD Mrs. Caroline Sargent Walter, Grand Pres., 1897-99. Mrs. Myra Post Cady, Grand Pres., 1899-1901. Mrs. Adalaide Hoffman Marvin, Pres. Alpha District , 1901-03. Keeper of the Archives — Phi Chapter, Stanford University, Cali¬ fornia. Chairman of Educational Committee — May K. Flannery, 326 W. 83d St., N. Y. City. Address everything intended for publication and all business communications to Caroline Farren Comly, Editor, 3311 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Penn.

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CORRESPONDING SECRETARIES I ALPHA DISTRICT President — Aurelie M. Reynaud, “Fleetwood,” Mt. Vernon, N. Y. Iota, Cornell University — Helen Underwood, Sage College, Ithaca, N. Y. Lambda, University of Vermont — Mary A. Murphy, 49 N. Pros¬ pect St., Burlington, Vt. Chi, Syracuse University — Harriet M. Disbrow, 720 Irving Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. Alpha Beta, Swarthmore College — Emilie Hill, Swarthmore, Pa. Alpha Delta, Woman’s College of Baltimore — Helen H. Steven¬ son, Woman’s College, Baltimore, Md. Alpha Epsilon, Brown University — Sarah K. Cady, 382 Black- stone St., Providence, R. I. ^Alpha Zeta, Barnard College — Caroline D. Hall, 278 Prospect Ave., Mt. Vernon, N. Y. Gamma Alumnae, New York City — Anna W. Waters, 215 E 15th St., New York City. Eta Alumnae, Burlington, Vt. — May O. Boynton, 69 N. Prospect ^ ^ St., Burlington, Vt. _ BETA DISTRICT President — Grace Eagleson, 84 N. Ohio Ave., Columbus, Ohio. Alpha, Depauw University — Ida Overstreet, 420 Anderson St., Greencastle, Indiana. Beta, Indiana State University — Mary Hamilton, 407 E. Kirkwood, Bloomington, Ind. Epsilon, Wooster University — Laura E. Anderson, Hoover Cot¬ tage, Wooster, Ohio. Eta, University of Michigan — Annie M. Mulheron, 1008 Hill St., Ann Arbor, Mich. Mu, Allegheny College — Margaret * McLaughlin, Hulings Hall, Meadville, Pa. Pi, Albion College — Clara Belle Shaffer, 712 Perry St., Albion, Michigan. Alpha Gamma, Ohio State University — Helen B. Hunt, 1340 High- , land St., Columbus, Ohio. Alpha Eta, Vanderbilt University — Laura Hayes, 2106 West End Ave., Nashville, Tenn. Alpha Alumnae, Greencastle, Ind. — Mrs. Mary Barwick Wright, 124 E. Franklin St., Greencastle, Ind. Epsilon Alumnae, Columbus, Ohio — Elizabeth Chamberlain, 85 N. 22d St., Columbus, Ohio.

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Zeta Alumnae, Indianapolis, Ind. — Nina Bond, 1634 Park Ave., Indianapolis, Ind. Mu Alumnae, Cleveland, Ohio — Louise Rust, 40 Park Overlook, Cleveland, Ohio. Kappa Alumnae, Pittsburg, Pa. — Mrs. K. C. Randall, 1301 Walnut St., Edgewood Park, Pa. • Lambda Alumnae, Athens, Ohio — Mrs. Chas. H. Higgins, So¬ nora, Ohio. DELTA DISTRICT President — Anna E. Harrison, 1243 Western Ave., Topeka, Kans. Delta, University of Illinois — Hope Herrick, 411 E. Healy St, Champaign, Ill. Kappa, University of Kansas — Caroline Doubleday, 1536 Ten¬ nessee St., Lawrence, Kans. Rho, University of Nebraska — Mary Bedwell, 1035 J St., Lincoln, Neb. Tau, Northwestern University — Ruth Dale, Winnetka, Ill. Upsilon, University of Minnesota — Ruth Haynes, 1807 Fourth St., S. E., Minneapolis, Minn. Psi, University of Wisconsin — Faye V. Rogers, 212 W. Gilman St., Madison, Wis. *\ Alpha Theta, University of Texas — Lily Campbell, 310 W. 26th r__ St., Austin, Texas. Beta Alumnae, Minneapolis, Minn. — Mrs. E. F. Litzenberg, 2955 Chicago Ave., Minneapolis, Minn. Delta Alumnae, Chicago, Ill. — Helen Nind, 743 E. 51st St., Chi¬ cago, Ill. Xi Alumnae, Kansas City, Mo. — Marie S. Nettleton, 1703 E. 35th St., Kansas City, Mo. GAMMA DISTRICT President — Mrs. E. A. Garrettson, 4548 14th Ave., N. E., Seat¬ tle, Wash. Phi, Stanford University — Lenore L. Williams, Stanford Univer¬ sity, Cal. Omega, University of California — Mary L. Gilbert, 2420 College Ave., Berkeley, Cal. \ Iota Alumnae, Los Angeles, Cal. — Irene Taylor, 1644 W. 24th St., Los Angeles, Cal.

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Miniature by Mabke Packard, which won Bronze Medal at St. Louis Exhibit.

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Kappa Alpha Theta Vol. XIX MARCH. 1905 No. 3 GLIMPSES OF HOME LIFE IN ITALY The mildness of the climate and almost continual sun¬ shine in Italy are such strong forces in luring the people “al fresco,” with nothing to send them indoors but the necessity of eating and sleeping, that there is little home life there in the sense of house life. Their efforts are not directed, therefore, toward making their houses homelike in the generally accepted meaning of the term, but rather toward embellishing them so that they will be dignified and imposing. On the exterior there may be some fine carving over the great .central doorway, bas-reliefs in niches on the walls, or marble staircases to distinguish the well-to-do Italian’s home from the tenement house, but the great stone and brick buildings, packed in solidly along the whole length of a thoroughfare, are seldom relieved by even these distinguishing marks. It is only after one enters the great gloomy doorway, ascends the stone stairs and crosses one of the thresholds that the individual tastes and social status of the inmates are shown. We could look into one of the more pretentious of these houses from the front windows of our sala. It was occupied by the family of a nobleman, one who was promi¬ nent in the official and social life of the city, and who gave many elaborate dinners. On these occasions, at exactly eight o’clock, the little fruit dealer from the corner passed ostentatiously up the street bearing a wonderful basket of fresh fruit for the desert. Fragrant red raspberries

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148 KAPPA ALPHA THETA. nestled in their own leaves, luscious pomegranates and fresh figs, all arranged so invitingly that I often wondered he was not set upon and robbed before he reached his desti¬ nation. Soon after this the guests came out and settled themselves comfortably upon the balcony, to drink their black coffee and smoke their cigarettes, in which the ladies joined, puffing the smoke from their pretty red lips with grace and ease. We learned much of the home life of the middle class by observing the daily routine of the merchant’s family across the courtyard. Early in the morning the housemaid came out bearing all the family garments. The men’s boots were blacked, their coats, trousers and hats carefully brushed, and then the women’s and children’s garments re¬ ceived the same attention. Soon the young men them¬ selves appeared and, sauntering up and down the terrace, sipped cognac from thimble-like glasses or coffee from very diminutive cups. This was all the food they took until the twelve o’clock breakfast. Then the children were brought out upon the balcony and, with the usual wry faces and pouting protests, were washed and dressed, and loaded with books and lunch-baskets were sent off with the maid to school. In the dark recesses of one of the sleeping rooms could be seen the hairdresser presiding over the matronly figures of the mother and married daughter of the family. They came out on the terrace after a while to get a breath of fresh morning air. Every part of their toilet was neat, from the well-fitting boots to the smooth, glossy hair piled in a mass of coils on top of their heads. This daily use of a professional hairdresser is very common in Italy, even among people of small means, for it only costs ten cents a day. One rarely sees a frowsy woman there. Their hair is fine and abundant, and they are keen to display it to the best advantage. There is one more member of the family to account for, the baby. It seldom appears with the others, however, for

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GLIMPSES OF HOME LIFE IN ITALY 149 according to general custom, soon after its birth it has been given to a peasant woman to nurse. It is kept in the coun¬ try with the woman’s own children for two or three years. There is in after life a peculiarly intimate and sacred re¬ lationship among the nurse’s own children and people thus reared with them. If the family be very rich the nurse lives in the house, and is the best paid and most respected of the servants. She received twelve dollars a month, while the others are paid from four to eight dollars. When she appears in public with the baby on a pillow, the social standing of the family she represents may be determined from the degree of richness of her costume — from the quality of her bright merino gown, the amount and quality of lace on the white apron and baby’s pillow, the length and color of the broad ribbons sweeping down her back, and above all the great comb rising from the back of her head like a halo. This comb, especially that of the Lombardian nurses, is the first object of great interest to the foreigner as he comes down the southern slopes of the Alps. It is formed of innumer¬ able flat silver hairpins with large tops — hence its name, “spadini” or “little spades” — arranged around the head in a semi-circle. “Uneasy lies the head that wears a spadini” might be a better rendering of the familar phrase, as the nurses are obliged to sleep in them. One of the most important factors in domestic life in Italy, as it is elsewhere, is the cooking. Leaning out of the rear window of the sala I whiled away many a rainy after¬ noon watching the white-capped, white-aproned cooks in the restaurant below pursuing their trade. Cleanliness may be next to godliness, but I concluded then and there that it was not necessary to palatableness. I never had courage to taste the attractive-looking roasts, fricassees and confec¬ tions of all kinds that I saw exhibited the next morning in the restaurant window, but my American housekeeping friends, to whom I enthusiastically recommended them, pronounced them delicious. I noticed that cheese was used

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150 KAPPA ALPHA THETA. profusely in almost all these dishes. It is sold at a sausage shop, and is cut off with a wire instead of a knife. It is in the homes of the rich that the Italian cuisine reaches its height in point of elegance and delicacy. But the privilege of being invited to such a table is seldom ac¬ corded to the foreigner, for it is almost impossible for him to break through the crust of exclusiveness and convention¬ ality with which signor or signora surround themselves. Their idea of hospitality has been satisfied when he is offered wine in their house, and he must be a very intimate friend indeed, or very distinguished, to be asked to dine. The servants form an important part of an Italian household, for there are many of them. Each has his allotted duties and cannot, or will not, do anything beyond them. Their wages are very small, but it is confidently ex¬ pected that they will be considerably increased by fees. I found in my note-book recently some Italian proverbs which seem to embrace all the wisdom of life. From these I have culled a few appropriate to this subject: A woman who has a good husband shows it in her face. Who does not hold on to little, does not acquire much. Work is accompanied by bread, clothes and respect. At weddings and funerals one gets acquainted with one’s relations. Gossip does not make bread. Mary Sifton Pepper, MU ALUMNAE. MABEL PACKARD You will recall, in one of last year’s Journals, an article about Delta Alumnae’s talented member, Mabel Packard. She is constantly forging ahead in the world of art and the past year has brought added laurels to crown her efforts. Two of her miniatures are reproduced in this issue of the

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MABEL PACKARD 151 Journal, one of which (the lady with the fur boa) was ex¬ hibited last spring at the Art Institute in Chicago, in the water-color and miniature exhibit. This fall, when the Society of American Artists held their usual exhibit, two of her splendid life-size oil portraits of children were con¬ spicuous on the walls. Favorable criticism and decided ap¬ proval were passed upon them by the most critical judges. Best of all, the quaint miniature of the lady in a big picture hat, the only picture sent to St. Louis by Miss Packard, received a bronze metal at the Exhibit. Miss Packard’s work never seems to encroach upon her hospitality. Her entertainment of Delta Alumnae, at one of the regular meetings, was charming in its originality and “atmosphere.” Delta Alumnae?. SELF GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION AT WISCONSIN The Self Government Association of the University of Wisconsin was organized on October 26th, 1897. Miss Emery, then Dean of Women in this institution, now occu¬ pying a similar position at Brown University was instru¬ mental in the formation of this society. All women registered as students in the University are members of this Association. Its object, as stated in its constitution, “is to regulate all matters pertaining to the student life of its members which do not fall under the immediate jurisdiction of the faculty; to further in every way the spirit of unity of women in the University; to increase their sense of responsibility toward each other and to be a medium by which the social standard of the Univer¬ sity can be made and kept high.” The officers of thisAssociation are president, vice-presi¬ dent, secretary, treasurer and an advisory board. This board consists of representatives from the girls living in

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152 KAPPA ALPHA THETA. Chadbourne Hall, the only domitory for women at the University, from the girls living in the city, and from the different sororities. To be chosen president of this Asso¬ ciation is considered one of the greatest honors that can come to a young woman during her college course. During the Association’s brief existence it has done much to fur¬ ther the objects for which it was formed, and with the ex¬ periences and precedents of the past, its usefulness must increase with its years. In the summer of 1901 the Association, with some outside help, secured and fitted up a resting room for women in University Hall. Social teas were given to the freshman girls in this room during the opening weeks of the fall semester. This feature has been abandoned, but the room is still maintained and many women still take ad¬ vantage of its privileges. At the beginning of the college year an informal reception is given to the freshmen by the Self Government Board assisted by the University League, an organization composed of the wives of the faculty and the women instructors. This reception serves a double purpose, for it furnishes an opportunity for the new girl not only to meet her fellow students, but also to meet the wives of some of her instructors. In the spring the Self Government Board cooperates with the University League in giving receptions to all the women of the University. A number of women volunteer to open their homes on a certain* afternoon to the girls. Usually these homes are located in one neighborhood and thus the girls are enabled to be entertained for a short time in a half dozen different homes in the course of a single afternoon. These receptions are but examples of what this organization is doing for the social well being of its members. Working to secure a Woman’s Building is another ob¬ ject to which the Association has pledged itself; such a building to be not a mere dormitory or home for a part, but a building for all, around which the student life of the entire body of women can gather.

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SELF GO VERNMENT ASSOC/A TION A T WISCONSIN 153 In the early days of the organization Art exhibits were given under its auspices in Chadbourne Hall. These were planned and carried through by the young women and were held annually for a number of years. The efforts of the young women led to the formation of the Madison Art Association, for they had demonstrated the need of such exhibits, and the possibility of holding them. These ex¬ hibits are now held twice each year in the rooms of the beautiful Historical Library. Each exhibit is made to ex¬ emplify some particular phase or period of Art and a series of lectures by qualified persons is given in connection with it. Thus the small efforts of the Self Government Associa¬ tion have resulted in the establishment of an activity which is of great value not only to the student-body but to the entire community. President David Starr Jordon says “When institutions of learning throw open their doors to women, the responsi¬ bility for decorum is thrown from the school to the women, and the women rise to the responsibility.,, To the friends of coeducation this statement of a man who is in a position to know whereof he speaks is certainly most encouraging. If it be true that the responsibility for the decorum of the school shifts from the school to the shoulders of the women, there certainly is need for organized effort on the part of the women to bear this responsibility in a manner worthy of themselves and of the great institutions which have so generously thrown wide the door of opportunity to them. One of the most fruitful results of the self-government movement at the University of Wisconsin has been along this very line of decorum. The women have made their own rules from the standpoint of their own needs. Self- imposed regulations ought to be more effective than those which are imposed from without. When the majority has placed its disapproval upon a certain line of conduct which it considers detrimental to decorum, that action, as a rule, has had the necessary restraining influence upon those

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154 KAPPA ALPHA THETA. whose sense of the proprieties is less keen. College spirit among the women has grown apace under the nurture of the self government association. The developing influence of such an organization upon the character of its members is not the least of the benefits it confers. To meet together and to discuss together the various questions so vital to the life of the student body is in itself something of a preparation for the wider activities that very soon are to come to these women. Every question that comes before such a body and is discussed and voted upon is a training in judgment and in decision: two facul¬ ties of the mind which are so important in the life of every individual. Whenever the sorority and the non-sorority elements exist in an institution the lines of separation are sure to be more or less tightly drawn and the spirit of unity must of necessity suffer. This very fact is the strongest argument against the existence of the fraternity. It behooves every advocate of the system to use her influence for whatever tends to break down these lines of separation, and thus to further the spirit of unity among her fellow students. For the sorority and non-sorority girl to work together for the good of the whole body of women cannot fail to increase mutual self-respect, and to exercise upon both a broadening influence. It is the opinion of those who have been most closely connected with the work of this Association that it has helped to bind more closely together all classes of women in the University; that it has increased the feeling of com¬ rade-ship and helped each to feel that she is a part of a great whole. Lambda Alumnae. RAMBLES OF A BOTANIST IN SWITZERLAND From Lausanne to the lower end of the St. Nicolae valley the railroad follows the swiftly flowing Rhone.

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RAMBLES OF A BOTANIST IN S WITZERLAND 155 Glancing at its surging waters one can readily imagine the troubles which the great Hannibal encountered in getting his war elephants across this river. Around us stretched the beautifully cultivated fields bordered by long rows of tall and stately poplars lifting their branches heavenward. Instead of the customary sign at each crossing, there stands the picturesque station mistress with the horn the note of which warns the travelers on the highroad of our approach. At Visp we changed to a rack and pinion railway, which carried us steadily up the mountains, crossing and recrossing that impetuous mountain torrent, the Visp, as it rushes furiously down from its mad height among the gla¬ ciers to the Rhone in the valley below. All the tedious journey was forgotten in the joy of this wonderful, ever- varying panorama which was unfolded before our eyes. The whole St. Nicolae valley is one long succession of wild gorges, magnificent waterfalls roaring over mighty rocks, fertile valleys hemmed in by steep wooded mountains and the great peaks looming up one by one in the distance. Perched here and there, high up on the grassy slopes could be seen quaint little Swiss hamlets with always a church spire towering above the queer little chalets with their projecting roofs. As we rounded the mountain, the Kleine Matterhorn was greeted with a noisy burst of enthu¬ siasm, but when the train drew near Zermatt, and the pas¬ sengers beheld the snow-clad rocky peak of the Matterhorn, the “fiend of the Alps,” in all its majesty, with a beautiful cloud banner hovering over it, all were hushed into silence by its awful grandeur. At the station we passed hurriedly by the crowds of little children selling flowers, and red raspberries spread out on a large green leaf, and also the policeman in his soldier’s uniform, resplendent in gold braid, tassels and endless but¬ tons. A short drive brought us to the Hotel de Zermatt where the host, a man of many tongues, welcomed us in our own. Our room had French windows which opened onto an iron balcony from which we could watch the gay throngs

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156 KAPPA ALPHA THETA . of tourists in the street below, or gain inspiration by gaz¬ ing up at the everlasting hills. Inside the room, built up against the wall was a native square stone stove with the initials of the designer on the front. We dubbed it the Mausoleum. The beds were so high that one needed a chair to get into them and they were surmounted by a down quilt as thick as a feather bed. Awakened early in the morning by the bells in the steeple opposite, we enjoyed our cafe au lait, rolls and honey in the cosy little breakfast room, and then donned our heavy nailed boots and rook-sacks for a day’s tramp on the mountains. As we left the village we passed a Calvary where the guides crossed themselves. They were returning with their coils of rope hung around them like a life preserver and carrying ice-picks with which they had cut steps in the ice. At the entrance of the Findelen gorge the grassy knolls were covered with crocuses and scabiosa, while near the stream were banks of delicate harebells and ferns. Over the rocks we clambered to gather stone crops, deep blue gentians, sweet Williams, forget-me-nots and mountain pinks and way up in a sunny spot almost overlooking the Findelen glacier we suddenly stumbled upon a great patch of the much sought after Edelweiss. We ate our lunch beside the glacier, cooling our wine in this natural refrigerator, and then after an excursion on the ice we descended by another path which leads through the villages of Eggenalp and Winkelmatten. Here we saw one of the natives helping himself up the steep ascent by holding on to the tail of his mule ! The mists were rising from the valley and we seemed to be above the clouds. The road winds down through a forest of larches where we heard the musical tinkle of goat bells, and saw a peasant woman with her knitting, watching her cow, as Mark Twain says, “to see that it didn’t fall off the edge of the farm.” After dinner a stroll up the village street with its

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RAMLLERS OF A BOTANIST IN SWITZERLAND 157 interesting shops and back to the broad veranda; there to enjoy excellent music, or a quiet evening in our room tracing through the key our day's find in flowers, closed the happy day. Just before retiring we would quietly slip out on the balcony to see the afterglow, when the face of the Matterhorn is lit by the rays of the setting sun, which had long since left the valley in darkness. After a week of such glorious days we said goodbye to this enchanted land and wandered back down the St. Nicolae valley. Alpha Epsilon. THE COLLEGE WOMAN'S CLUB OF LOS . ANGELES “We live in and through our universities and colleges. Let us prove that our power is not limited by a selfish cur¬ tailment of effort." Quite as much to our alumnae as to the active chapters does this apply. The college graduate finds herself con¬ fronted with the question, “Of what use can I be to hu¬ manity?" She knows that more is expected of her than of the average woman because of her educational advan¬ tages. As fraternity women we have had even greater ad¬ vantages. Nothing is given to us to retain just for our own pleasure; we must pass it on, in one way or another, in order to deserve the gift. Then, as college and fraternity women, we must realize the advice of our Grand Council report and prove that our power “is not limited by a selfish curtailment of effort." One means to this end is offered by such an organiza¬ tion as that found in Los Angeles, known as “The College Woman's Club." This club was originally a chapter of the Association of Collegiate Alumnae. To have remained a part of that organization would have entailed some definite work of a literary character. As most of the women were

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158 KAPPA ALPHA THETA. doing work of a literary nature in their respective profes¬ sions, this requirement was felt to be irksome, so the chap¬ ter withdrew and formed this local club. The club has held to the same high standards of mem¬ bership which the Associated Collegiate Alumnae de¬ manded, namely, graduates of any university or college approved by the Associated Collegiate Alumnae. However, for the purpose of admitting really fine college women, who have not been graduated, a more elastic rule has been em¬ bodied in the constitution. Such a woman is eligible for membership if she has attended a college one year of more, on condition that her name has been endorsed by four vouchers and she has been unanimously elected by the club. The institutions represented are among the best in the United States — universities, colleges non-sectarian and de¬ nominational, professional colleges, women’s colleges and co-educational institutions. Among the number represented are Smith, Vassar, Wellesley, Boston University, Bryn Mawr, University of California, Stanford, Chicago Uni¬ versity, Universities of Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Wiscon¬ sin and Michigan, Swarthmore, Radcliffe, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Wesleyan University and many others. These are sufficient to show what a variety of lo¬ calities, creeds, opinions and interests must be represented. In the words of the constitution, “The object shall be the promotion of social life among college women.” So the aims are purely social. Here one may meet women from all over this broad land. Alpha Phi, Gamma Phi, Kappa Kappa Gamma and Theta meet on common ground. The fraternity woman meets her non-fraternity sister, and all idea of fraternity limitations is forgotten. University women, doctors, lawyers and other professional women come in contact with one another, and a most delightful social intercourse and interchange of ideas is enjoyed by all. Above all, the individual college woman meets others of her own type and with common interests. Such inter¬ course must of necessity be broadening.

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THE COLLEGE WOMAN'S CL UD OF LOS ANGELES 159 We meet for luncheon on the first Saturday of each month at the Woman’s Club House. The Club House is quite an ideal place for such meetings, as the rooms are large and beautiful and the surroundings are conducive to sociability. Many of the women bring some bit of sewing, and after the luncheon is over they gather in groups in the reception rooms and parlors, chatting, visiting or occasion¬ ally listening to music, when we are so fortunate as to have it. One of the most delightful features of the club is the lack of cliques. It is an exceptional thing to see a table made up exclusively of women from a certain college or of one fraternity. There seems to be a general feeling that here we are to meet on the broader ground of college in¬ terests, and not to allow our narrower interests to pre¬ dominate. Some years ago a number of the women from the Col¬ lege Club founded a college settlement in the part of the city known as Sonora town, where the people are largely Mexicans. The club has always been much interested in this settlement, and many of the individual members give their time and money towards its support. Though the club is not financially responsible for the settlement, it gives a money contribution to it each year. We have as our president this year Irene Taylor, a Theta from Omega Chapter. The charming spirit mani¬ fest in the club is due in no small degree to her tact and ability. She has as her board an able body of women, who are united with her in their desire to make the club a broad¬ ening influence and an organization that is altogether worth while. I fancy that I can hear some one say, “And what has this to do with the Thetas extending their sphere of use¬ fulness ?” Simply this : It is by the contact with the many that we grow. To be a loyal Theta is an immensely fine thing. But that means that we must not be exclusively and selfishly devoted to one organization. Let us, then, become

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160 KAPPA ALPHA THETA. factors in a larger field than fraternity. The time and effort given to such a club as I have described, instead of alien¬ ating us from our own organization, makes us all the more valuable members, to say nothing of the pleasure gained thereby. M. P., Iota Alumnae. HOUSE MANAGEMENT OF RHO CHAPTER, LINCOLN, NEBRASKA The members of Rho Chapter were pioneers in run¬ ning a girls' fraternity house at Nebraska. The men had successfully attempted the problem, but Kappa Alpha Theta was the first woman's fraternity to risk it. Six years ago the fraternity rented an eight-room house, where three girls and a chaperon lived for a year. The chaperon provided all the furniture, but the girls as¬ sumed the financial responsibility. No one knows just what those three girls endured. To make the house meet expenses they paid more for poor accommodations than the best room and board in Lincoln would have cost. But in spite of living on mush and prunes they had jolly times in Paradise Roost, as their men friends dubbed the house. Two other Thetas, whose parents would not allow them to live in the House, walked twelve blocks for their meals, and poor meals at that, so that they could assist with their board. By self-sacrifice, by doing without luxuries, and, at times, some necessities, at the end of the year these plucky girls were square with the world. The second year a twelve-room house was rented, known as the Cobb House. There we paid fifty dollars a month and took a two years' lease, which meant paying full summer rent. The Cobb House had four bedroom sets and carpets. The new chaperon furnished the dining room fur¬ niture, including dishes, linen and kitchen utensils. Some

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HOUSE MANAGEMENT OF RHO CHAPTER 161 down-stairs furniture was bought and some was given to us. We had a piano that we were paying for by the month. The eight house girls paid five dollars a week for board and room, telephone dues were extra. All the money was paid to one of the girls, who acted as house treasurer. She paid the bills, coal, rent, gas, grocery, et cetera. The chap¬ eron planned the meals. At the end of the first year in the Cobb House, after paying the summer rent, one hundred and fifty dollars, part of which we procured by subletting the house, the girls were again on their feet. The second year in the Cobb House we started again with eight girls. This time our chaperon was Miss Hay¬ den, head of the Art Department in the University and a Theta. But we had no dining room and kitchen furnish¬ ings. So the house went in debt for these things. The same year our alumnae gave us a large library table. Each year we had been getting vases, pictures and chairs that the various men's fraternities had sent us. One Christmas every girl in the fraternity gave the house pillows and the next Christmas pennants. The third year we started out fifty dollars in debt, but with ten girls in the house. We lived as economically as possible, and in June were just clear. Only wonderful fra¬ ternity spirit made the whole thing possible. Girls who had never known what work was varnished floors, uphol¬ stered seats, tacked down matting, contrived in every way to make one dollar go as far as two. But the fine times we had through it all more than compensated. Even when we came back after Christmas vacation, from our warm, comfortable homes, and found the water pipes frozen and the steam boiler bursted, we laughed and went to sleep three in a bed to keep from freezing! The Cobb House had a very large yard attached to it. In the spring this was lovely. We had a tennis court in one corner of the back yard, and many an exciting game we played there. Another feature of the yard was a tunny

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102 KAPPA ALPHA THETA. stone fountain. One afternoon, when the Thetas were en¬ tertaining their men friends at an informal garden recep¬ tion, some of the company undertook to give a practical demonstration, from Uncle Tom’s Cabin, of Eliza and little Harry crossing the Ohio — the fountain by courtesy acting as the Ohio. In the excitement of the moment Eliza lost her balance and fell into the fountain, whence she was res¬ cued by penitent bloodhounds. The next fall we rented a house on J street, eight blocks from the University, still paying fifty dollars a month rent. This house was new, with hardwood floors. Our alumnae gave us a parlor rug and Davenport. We had no bedroom furniture, so we bought iron beds and chiffoniers, for which the house went in debt. We had twelve girls and Miss Hayden in the house. By this time we owned our piano. For years we had been collecting the little things that help so much to make a house homelike. At the end of the year, after paying our summer rent and all our bills, we had a surplus of two hundred and thirty dollars. This year we have put one hundred and fifty dollars out at five per cent, interest. We run our house the same way, each girl paying five dollars a week for board and room. We give a woman six dollars a week to do the cooking, take care of the parlor floor, and clean the up¬ stairs rooms once a week. Each girl takes her turn dusting the house and taking care of the furnace at night. Our servant does not sleep in the house, so she can only attend to the fire in the daytime. Our alumnae gave us this year two weathered oak bookcases, which we are gradually filling with good books. We take a daily paper, Harper’s, McClure’s and the Satur¬ day Evening Post, paying for them by individual assess¬ ments. Now, in our sixth year of running a fraternity house, we own all our furniture, sufficient to comfortably fill a twelve-room house. Most of our silver has been given us by alumnae members, and is marked with the Kappa Alpha Theta monogram.

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Page 25

DISTRICT VISITS 163 Of course, in the first few years we did not enjoy the ease we do now. It has taken self-denial and great frater¬ nity spirit to make possible our present conditions. It is only when our alumnae visit us that we realize the differ¬ ence between our highly satisfactory meals and pleasant surroundings, and the hardships of their pioneer days. From the first the finances of the house and fraternity have been kept entirely separate, and for the past two years the house has bought its own furniture and has loaned money to the fraternity treasury of the chapter on occasion. Rho. DISTRICT VISITS “It must be lots of fun to visit the different chapters” is a remark I have oftentimes heard during the past year, and its repetition impels me to write of district visits from a different viewpoint. For this misconception of the presi¬ dent's mission, as well as its antithesis — which pictures the visits as a sort of critical progression — can affect the benefits that we should derive from them. Our constitution outlines fully the duties of the visiting officer, and it is a sense of awe at the responsibility entailed that encompasses one starting on these visits, rather than a spirit of fun, of fault-finding, or of mere interest in com¬ parison. Such things — if they existed ever in the mind of a true Theta — must be lost in the realization of the difficulties of the task assigned, and in the earnest wish to accomplish the task successfully. So much for the visitor's attitude. However, just as it takes two to make a bargain, so in the accomplishment of these ends, the effort of the visitor alone will not suffice. Co-operation on the part of the chapter is essential to any real result; and it is of this co-operation that I would say a word to-night. Let us .remember in the first place that it is the chap¬ ter's good that is sought in these visits; the district officer

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164 KAPPA ALPHA THETA . is here in the chapter s service, and to serve it and Theta efficiently is the only benefit she seeks. To help, however, intelligently and effectively, she must know the difficulties that confront the chapter, the local conditions that compli¬ cate the problem, in other words the chapter must make a place for her in its daily life and share that life fully with her, that, profiting by experience gained in other visits, the president may offer suggestions and correct mistakes. One attitude — founded on fear of criticism — which prompts a chapter to conceal its difficulties and to resent any at¬ tempt at a close understanding of existing conditions, proves either reprehensible ignorance of the purpose of these visits, or else a wilful intent to defeat it. For surely there can be no fear that the visitor comes in a spirit of captious criti¬ cism, — for praise is so much sweeter to speak than blame, and a reproof to a chapter harder to voice than to hear. Let us realize that the visitor is a Theta like you and me. She is there because one and all of us voted that this would be her duty. Did we not outline the duty and shall we not help her fulfill it? What then should the chapter do, is worth a bit of serious consideration. Lavish entertainment will not accom¬ plish our ends, any more than a policy of reticence. It is just the taking of the visitor into the chapter’s daily life that can make the visits truly fruitful, the sharing with her, as with a friend, the problems that beset us all alike, seek¬ ing help and accepting suggestions in the spirit of loving confidence that should encompass all our relations. And a littie circle of responsive faces can transform a difficult duty into a joyous conference for the furtherance of com¬ mon ideals. It leaves deep in one’s heart the wish that every chapter on our lengthening roll may so receive the district visitor, that this provision for the maintenance of a uniformly high standard among our chapters may ac¬ complish the best results for the constant and ever higher development of Kappa Alpha Theta. Aurelie M. Reynaud. President Alpha District.

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A 4 ci\c yco/^4 eOa The High School Fraternity The relation of the high school fraternity to the Col¬ lege fraternity is a question that is forcing itself upon us. It is of such growing importance that by the time of our next convention it should claim our attention and be settled definitely one way or another. Nearly every high school in the land has some sort of social organizations. These may have been innocent enough in the beginning, but they have grown into the exclusive club or secret fraternity, and have become a menace to the schools. The high school student is just at the formative period when habits of study and thinking should be settled for life, and this side-tracking has interfered materially with the whole school work, and especially has it hurt the student in the development of character. The tendency to imitate is one of the most marked characteristics of youth. The high school fraternities are most apt to copy the form, at least, of the older college organizations, missing entirely the real purpose of a fraternity. To one just entering his teens, it is the social and showy side that appeals more than anything else. He fails to get the moral and educational value of the fraternity. The deliciousness of secrecy and mystery, of midnight initiations, appeals to him, instead of the more serious purpose and higher ideals. You ask, how does this affect Kappa Alpha Theta? Can you not see that warped material for the college fra¬ ternity is turned out by the high school, the social life of which is completely under the control of such organizations ? There is little but a social foundation to begin on. In

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166 KAPPA ALPHA THETA. many instances, initiates into college fraternities have never realized the full significance of the fraternity idea, simply because their conceptions of fraternities had been modeled and developed along high school lines. In fact, they are spoiled for the best influence of the fraternity. Does it not stand to reason that the fraternity idea of mutual help and development, incentives to nobler and better things is not as adaptable to a girl just entering her teens as to a more mature mind? Then, a high school fraternity girl cannot give full and undivided allegiance to her college fraternity. Her first love in many instances, still has a large place in her affections and the first badge is worn as the com¬ panion-piece to the kite. This is only one side of the question, but I think that the solution lies with college fraternities and sororities. They could strike the death-blow by making members of any high school fraternity non-eligible to membership in the higher organizations. Ruth Baker, Alpha. Limited Rushing and an Early Pledge-day To those of us at Barnard who have known what it is to have a season of unlimited rushing which lasted from the day college opened in September until some time in March, a system of limited rushing, combined with an early asking day seems like the approach of the millennium. For several years the Sororities at Barnard have agreed to a common asking day which of course was a step in the right direction. This day was set, approximately, for the middle of March. There were no regulations whatever as to the amount of rushing that might be done. The ar¬ rangement had two very serious results. In the first place one was never free from the feeling that she “ought to be doing some rushing.” From Monday until Friday and sometimes even over Sunday there was always some rushing engagement. The result was that studies and out¬ side college interests — to say nothing of the home in-

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A taXevajsOa 167 terests suffered seriously. In the second place the late date for pledging precluded any possibility of enjoying one of the sweetest and best times, — freshman year in the fraternity, as only about a month and a half of college remained after the new girls had been initiated. This state of affairs was to be deplored from the standpoint of chapter life, as there was so little time left after the rush¬ ing season with its absorbing interests and demands, for broad interest and development along general lines. The girls had scarcely any time in those days for the “home- life” of the chapter; the real intimate time when one is learning to know and to love the girls in the chapter by close contact with them, and to feel the quiet inspiration of the daily round of duties done side by side with those who are ready with help or sympathy or bright companion¬ ship. The new system which has been inaugurated this year seems to remedy both the main faults which have been mentioned. The rushing rules are strict. Briefly they are are as follows: i. For outside rushing — No freshman may be entertained by any chapter or member thereof, more than once a week. 2. For college rushing— No one may monopolize a freshman by inviting her to attend any col¬ lege function with her. No one may dance more than once with a freshman at any entertainment. The last mentioned rules were especially welcome as they promote courtesy and general sociability at the college functions. The stipu¬ lations for outside rushing, obviously, removed the neces¬ sity of giving up more than a reasonable amount of one's time to this evil and also gave time for broader college and home interests. The stipulations for college rushing were advantageous from the standpoint of college and class spirit. But the best part of all is that by Christmas, it is all over. The freshmen are settled with their chosen friends and are not too demoralized to be beyond the point where studious habits and class and college spirit may not be

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168 KAPPA ALPHA THETA. cultivated. They are safely under the influence of a motive other than self-interest which will so guide their actions through the remainder of the year, that they will lay a firm foundation for the building which is to go on incessantly through Sophomore, Junior and Senior years. They will have the benefit of the “home life^ in their first year which ought to be one of the most potent influences for good to them, and they will be forming firm friendships which will last throughout college. The very most important aspect of the restricted rush¬ ing and early pledge day lies in the fact that, aside from the benefits to itself, the fraternity is contributing to the college, girls who are more studious and more zealous for both class and college welfare and last but not least girls who are more healthy because not “rushed to death.” Agnes Lacy Durant, Alpha Zeta Pan Hellenism The fall numbers of all the sorority magazines have much to say about the national intersorority, relations and the local Pan Hellenics. Already this united effort to overthrow some of the most detrimental phases of frater¬ nity competition is showing commendable results in some universities. The initiative has been well taken by the sororities as national organizations. The effective accom¬ plishment of results must depend on the chapters in each university. What should be our recognized policy toward the local Pan Hellenic in our college? Shall we condemn the ideals of the movement because our first attempt brought little success or because the rules adopted worked some hardships? Shall we stand firmly for our conserva¬ tive ideas or make some concessions to the less conservative fraternities in order to preserve the good feeling among the fraternity chapters in our college? What shall be the attitude of a Pan Hellenic organization toward local fraternities in the college? These and many other ques-

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AtaX&iozOa 169 tions that are constantly arising could well be discussed in our Journal. A symposium of the main features of each Pan Hellenic agreement, the problems faced and solved, the failures, criticisms, and suggestions would help us all to plan more wisely for next year’s cooperative or¬ ganization. Phi. Training of the Freshmen Freshmen enter a fraternity with some understanding of its pleasures, but little knowledge of their duties as fra¬ ternity members. Early familiarity with the details of chapter business is most desirable knowledge for every member. Let each standing committee have a freshman added to its membership. Let the busy corresponding secretary and editor, each have a certain freshman as assistant or understudy. Other officers may likewise have assistants. But do not make the mistake of appointing a freshman to a position where she is not required to do things. Such assistants to the regular officers get the very best training for the offices they may in time be called upon to fill. At the same time new members pass naturally from the honors of rushing to those of serving. It makes them feel that they are an essential part of the fraternity, for loyaltv is increased by service. Phi. Our Badge In accord with the present-day increase of extrava¬ gance and display the tendency with regard to the frater¬ nity pin seems to be to emphasize and elaborate more and more the jewelled borders. It is almost needless to say that they add no meaning to a fraternity pin. Some say that they add to the beauty of it. Now, if our pin was to be worn as an ornament there are many pretty stones and combinations of stones that would make of it a beautiful

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170 KAPPA ALPHA THETA. piece of jewelry. But may none of us ever think of it in that light. It has never seemed to me that our badge needed addition or ornamentation more than a plain gold border. As for jewels, the two diamond stars are sufficient in them¬ selves, and make a far more distinctive pin than one sur¬ rounded with many stones. As the jewels become larger or more numerous the tendency is to diminish the size of the die until in some of the pins it has become to all ap¬ pearances the minor part. None of us want our pins to have this appearance, and I think the only way to check the tendency is to decide on some uniform, regulation pin. This seems to me a matter worthy of the serious consid¬ eration of all the chapters before our coming convention, as some of us feel sure that definite steps in this direction ought to be taken. Christie Y. Dulaney, Alpha Delta. Affiliation There are arguments both for and against the affiliat¬ ing of members from neighboring chapters, and yet, in the mind of the loyal Theta, with the true spirit of Theta love in her heart, there should be no doubt as to her decision. Let us first consider the position of the girl herself, who, perhaps, has been forced by circumstances to leave the girls of her own chapter for those of another. She dreads to force herself upon the acquaintance of the chap¬ ter, wrapped up in its own peculiar interests, and this very oversensitiveness may make her reticent and hard to ap¬ proach. If she be a girl who wins her way into the hearts of the chapter and is thoroughly congenial her welcome is assured. It is only in case they fear the union might prove un¬ pleasant that there may be doubt as to the wisdom of affilia¬ tion. How easily any possibility of doubt could be avoided

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AtaXi>a)cOa 171 if every individual chapter realized the great necessity of choosing members who will be true sisters, true Thetas ! Is it not the duty of every chapter, both to herself and her sister chapters, to use the greatest discrimination in her choice of members, that they may be representative girls whom she will not only be glad to send out herself, but whom other chapters will be glad to welcome? We know that the ideal chapter must be composed of various types of mind and character. But if in choosing we consider the girl’s lovable qualities she will be welcome anywhere. If, however, the chapter feels that a mistake has been made in the issuing of the invitation, which would not have occurred had the privilege of choice been hers, even in such a case there is not one of our chapters, I hope, which could be so selfish and so narrow as to refuse to affiliate. Is it not in accordance with true Theta spirit to go one step further and little by little draw our sister into the light and sunshine of Theta fellowship? We are so rich in all the good things of life that we ought not to be con¬ tent to share them without her. Can we not let the light of our happiness shine into her heart and life? Let us do all we can to develop her, bring her into close contact with the whole chapter, and help her broaden and expand under the influence of Theta love and sympathy. Kappa. Athletics for Women at Cornell The one interest we all support vigorously at one time or another, voluntarily or involuntarily, is athletics. Whether we disport ourselves for the glory of a biceps or for the glory of a class, with the mere and unresponsive dumb-bell, or with the elusive basket-ball, we all plead guilty to participation in and enthusiasm for athletics. The kindergarten class in this strenuous course — “gym” — we are obliged to take for University credit dur-

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172 KAPPA ALPHA THETA. ing the two underclass years. Tis true that we never at¬ tain the highest heights of inspiration while striving to get the stiff-necked Indian clubs in the correct plane, but this is all very well as a running hop, skip and jump at the great event — the basket-ball games. The basketball tournament transpires shortly before the Easter recess. The loyal of each class — all four classes compete for the championship banner — chatter about their hopes and fears at frequent mucilage-and-scissors soirees, while busily shaping the gay crepe paper pennants to be urged upon the spectator on the eventful night. Then, too, the “rooters” have practice “sings,” whereat they rehearse the cock-sure utterances with which they hope to dum- found and embarrass their opponents at critical moments. The teams, subs and scrubs refurbish their gymnasium suits and try to look calm. Many times a day they slip into the gym just to remember how the ball feels and where the basket hangs. Finally the three days of strife arrive. First the under-class game, then the upper-class game, and finally the championship. The “rooters” herald the occasion with the tune Jingle Bells or Mr. Dooley, as the case may be. Next the hulla¬ baloo arises while the mascots make their rounds. Class Red-and-Black has gone to fame with a little pickaninny in a turkey-red toga. Class Gold-and-White took defeat nobly under the auspices of a gilded cage with a white rooster (obtained by dint of much beseeching at the Uni¬ versity barns). To be sure, said rooster awoke the dormi¬ tory the next morning at two o’clock, for his care-taker had forgotten that it is the nature of roosters to crow ! And so the games are played, and one wonders whether even the Olympics were such fun. What energy we don’t give to basket-ball we spend in rowing, tennis, skating and tobogganing. Beebe Lake, quite near the Cornell campus, is the site of many of these operations, and freezes and melts to suit not only the na¬ ture but also the athletic convenience of the season. Though

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JtahvwsOa 173 the Courtney stroke is not quite so showy when adapted to the reach of the feminine arm, however we like to play at it. Then, again, tobogganing is more of a crystalized excitement than a dignified sport, but it has its place. The organization of our athletics is termed the Sports and Pastimes Association. Under this management stable and efficient administration is given to the athletic phase of college life. Abbie Findlay Potts, Iota. Birthdays at Chi Since our chapter house is a home we do not allow the birthday of any of our sisters to pass unnoticed. Our usual plan is to have a birthday cake and a gay and festive time at supper. After the favored Theta has enjoyed her box of gifts and goodies from home, the surprise (?) at table comes as a fitting close to a happy day. We always manage to be in our places at table ready to greet her with a song, like “Pm a jolly Theta of the jolly Chapter Chi .” The lights are low, and the dimness is lighted only by the glow from the candles about the cake. This is an especially de¬ lightful moment the first time a birthday is celebrated in the new year, for there are sure to be some new girls to whom the custom is unknown. The last little ceremony is the passing of the candles and the giving of wishes, grave and gay, for the coming years. Alsa Partridge, Chi. A Plea For An Extra Day at Convention To the delegates and grand officers the Convention means three or four busy hurried days, with almost no time for social intercourse. It has occurred to some of us

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174 KAPPA ALPHA THETA. that it might be a good plan to reserve one day free from all business — a day which the delegates might spend to¬ gether in becoming better acquainted, not with outsiders, but with their own members. It would certainly be a source of pleasure to every one, and the benefits that would result from this informal mingling from all parts of the country would be immeasurable. There would be oppor¬ tunity to discuss many points which could not be men¬ tioned formally in the convention sessions. The general fraternity policy, and attitude of individual chapters could be far better understood, if we had these quiet hours for discussion. This interchange of ideas, the formation of more lasting friendships, the added inspiration for work, the charming memories of a congenial care-free gathering of Thetas; these are some of the advantages gained if our convention program could include a day free from con¬ vention duties. Alice R. Marsh. Alpha Gamma.

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EDITORIALS Convention The date an<^ P^ace °f meeting for the sixteenth biennial convention have not yet been positively decided. But an approximate date of the first week in July is given, and the convention will be held in Pennsylvania or New Jersey. Positive announcements will be made in the May Journal. The information avail¬ able at present is quite definite enough, however, for all zealous Thetas to realize at once the joy of planning for a “trip to Convention.” A marked reduction in rates will be secured through the convention of the National Educa¬ tional Association, which meets at Asbury Park, N. J., early in July. This fact ought to make it feasible for many of our members to combine their summer outing with at¬ tendance at Convention. Do, every active and alumnae member of you, make at once a firm resolve to be at this convention, however impossible such a plan may seem now. For we have learned from experience that the only way to accomplish the seemingly impossible is to place the desired goal steadily before our eyes, and work toward that end unceasingly. Do this, and urge every other Theta you know to do the same, and what a big merry crowd of Thetas we will have ! They are such typical unique affairs, these conventions of women’s fraternities, and are a whole education in themselves. Will you all help us spread the news among the alumnae who do not see these pages ? Fraternity - Sorority It is amusing to recall the various names with which we are patronized editorially by some fraternity publications. To be desig¬ nated as members of “Lady Fraternities,” or to hear our magazines referred to as “our female contemporaries” ap¬ peals to our sense of humor. We ourselves, as a rule, use

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176 KAPPA ALPHA THETA . the terms sorority and fraternity interchangeably, although the general sentiment seems to be in favor of the latter, reserving the word “sorority” merely to distinguish our organizations from those of the men. The point raised, however, is interesting. Are we Sororities or Fraternities? As a question of definition we answer it — We are both. Fraternity and Sorority are one in just the sense that a regiment and a company are alike part of an army. We like the breadth and strength that is embodied in the word Fraternity, but we claim a gentleness and loyalty in the name Sorority. Our chapters are as much a part of a Fraternity as the hand, though it hold a glove and not a sword, is part of a man. Because underneath is the same deep purpose and lofty ideal, and the strength to execute. A man’s fraternity gives him a goal to strive for; strength of character to be a man, strong, sincere, honest. And a woman’s fraternity gives her a goal to strive for; strength of character to be a woman, gentle, true and lovable. We are proud of the name Sorority, and the distinctively fem¬ inine organization which it implies; but we are prouder still to claim our part as a Fraternity, to claim our right to that name by the strength and depth and purpose of our fraternity life. Hi h School The questi°n the desirability of high ~ school fraternities is under frequent discus- sion, not only in the various college fraternity magazines, but in the general literature devoted to current topics. The generally expressed sentiment is disapproval of such organizations, a disapproval which is especially marked among the high school superintendents and teach¬ ers. The short article on this subject, which appears in this issue, bears more directly on the undesirable elements these so-called fraternities bring to bear upon the college fraternities. It was written a year ago, before the dis¬ cussion of the subject had become so general and conse-

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EDITORIALS 177 quently is based entirely upon direct personal observation. In the Exchanges will be found further comments upon the same subject. Inasmuch as a great proportion of fraternity material comes from the high schools, and as these clubs are multiplying in number and influence, it behooves the fraternities to investigate the conditions thoroughly and if possible, combine in their influence against the further growth of the high school fraternities. At the Convention of 1903 it was agreed that an Ad¬ visory Board, to consist of three members of past Grand Councils, should be elected by the incoming Grand Coun¬ cil. The advisability of establishing such a board is based on the ground that by our system of Council elections a Council of entirely new members may be chosen. Their inexperience may cause difficulty in dealing with certain questions, and the experience and knowledge of retired officers would be a great advantage. The Advisory Board has no power but that of suggestion, which, however, can prove of great value. The present Grand Council has elected the Advisory Board as follows : Mrs. Caroline Sar¬ gent Walter, Alpha Beta, Grand President, 1897-99; Mrs. Myra Post Cady, Eta, Grand President, 1899-1901 ; Mrs. Adelaide Hoffman Marvin, President Alpha District, 1901- 03. These names will be found hereafter in the Directory of the Journal.

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CHAPTER LETTERS Alpha District Iota — Cornell University. We write to you from the dry-as-dust atmosphere of “cram” week. The doors of our mutual friends are sadly draped with the insignia such as these : “Busy,” “At the Library,” “Do Not Disturb, This Means You’.” The usually blissful expressions of our faces have been put in straight- jackets, and it is easy to tell from afar that a girl is going to “exams,” merely by the decisive ferocity of her nose and the ferocious decision of her chin. We can tell you just when Napoleon discovered the Nile, and enu¬ merate the dramas of Phidias, but if we start to tell any other news, we’ll forget the date of the Saxon invasion of Finland, and which of his wives Henry the Eighth be¬ headed first. We are realizing that we came to the Uni¬ versity to study. Our university activities are as varied as usual. At present we are predominated by the spirit of expectation. For instance, the seniors are wondering how many Phi Beta Kappa’s are coming their way. The Sophomores are almost certain they know the exact date of the Freshman banquet; the Juniors are prophesying just how far ahead of everybody else their basket-ball team will be. One week we heard Ysaye, the marvellous violinist; now we are saving our pennies for Sothern-Marlowe. “Did you get an ‘exempt ’in conic sections?” “When is Mrs. Comstock com¬ ing back?” (Mrs. Comstock is our beloved “grad” who regales us once a week with coffee, the best ever, and inspiration, the best ever.) “Isn’t it good to see Professor Burr again?” (Professor Burr has been the older brother of Iota for years and years. He is spending a week at the K. A. ®. table, trimming our repasts with tales of his recent

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CHAPTER LETTERS 179 trip to France). “Have you seen the Freshmen ?” “Yes, just been up there, what do you want of them?” “Oh, just to say goodnight, you know they’re really our Fresh¬ men.” These are just some of the things we say every day — not very exciting — but they mean little joys we wouldn’t be without. Abbie Findlay Potts. Lambda — University of Vermont. Lambda first introduces to you her seven initiates, Helen Barker, Lucy Bean, Sarah Eno, Ethel Humphrey, Ella Pine, Ernestine Sweet, and Florence Votey, — all of the class of 1908. We held our initiation January 21st, using the new service, which was followed by a banquet, given by the alumnae chapter. We listened to toasts given by alumnae, active girls, and pledglings, and completed a delightful evening with a merry sleigh-ride to our homes. In November, we moved from our pleasant room, with Mrs. Robinson, Iota, ’94, to the home of Miss Florence Crooker, Alpha Rho, ’78, the society which was granted the Kappa Alpha Theta charter in 1881. December 13, we initiated Miss Crooker into Kappa Alpha Theta, so now it almost seems as if we had a real chapter house. The 27th was Theta’s Birthday. We celebrated by wearing the black and gold on our pins and gave a birth¬ day party to our Freshmen, sang the Theta songs and en¬ joyed informal talks on phases of Fraternity, by the alum¬ nae. We are glad to say that in addition to the Pan Hel¬ lenic Association that has been formed by the sororities, the twelve fraternities of the University have just or¬ ganized the Boulder Society. “The object of this society shall be to promote college spirit, to sustain friendly rela¬ tions among the fraternities, and between the fraternity and non-fraternity men, and to encourage and support whatever tends to the betterment of the conditions of undergraduate life in the University.” We all wish success and prosperity to the Boulder Society.

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180 KAPPA ALPHA THETA. This month, too, has been the occasion of the com¬ bined meetings of the Vermont Botanical, and Bird Clubs. The lectures by Prof. Jones and Mr. Cyrus Pringle, of the University, about their individual experiences, were highly interesting and instructive. The college girls have enjoyed the visits of Miss Matthews, the New England Secretary of the Y. W. C. A., and of Mrs. Thurston, recently returned from China, who is traveling in behalf of the Student Volunteer movement. Gertrude E. Thompson. Chi — Syracuse University. As the months of the college year rapidly pass away, the chapter editor realizes more and more that the most precious fraternity experiences can never be reduced to mere words. At best she can only chronicle. The girls of 1908 seem so much like Thetas of long standing, that we can hardly realize that we have not yet told you of their initiation banquet. It was held the even¬ ing after initiation, December seventeenth, at the Hotel Vanderbilt. The tables were attractive with their holly decorations, reminding the girls that they were soon to enjoy the Christmas festivities at home. The menu cards, made by one of the Sophomores, had on the cover a wee Dutcn girl flying a kite. The toast-mistress, after giving the new Thetas a welcome in the verse of Hiawatha called for toasts on Theta’s Childhood, Theta’s Womanhood, The¬ ta’s Fasting, Theta’s Fishing, Theta’s Wooing, Theta’s Wedding. The last three, of course, pertained to rushing, pledging and initiation. Not the least enjoyable feature of the banquet v/as the re-union of the alumnae, and the response from each of them to the call of the toast-mistress. The next great event in our chapter life was the cele¬ bration of Founders’ Day. Here, again, the love and loy¬ alty of the alumnae were manifest. Since the day came in the midst of examinations, they took the entire charge of the evening’s festival. We were royally entertained in

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CHAPTER LETTERS 181 their house and ours. The most joyous moments were those in which we watched a certain obnoxious bill burn and crumble to ashes in the grate fire in the hall. We were substantially remembered by members of the faculty and by other friends, to the great happiness of the furniture com¬ mittee. Dearest of all our gifts was a handsome loving cup from the ‘'newly old” girls of 1904. Now that the stress of rushing and examinations is over we are planning to repay some of our social obliga¬ tions. Of these affairs we will doubtless write in our next letter. Mary L. Cook. Alpha Beta — Swarthmore College. It scarcely seems possible that two whole months have slipped away since Alpha Beta sent New Year greeting to her sister chapters. The Christmas holidays, which we began with a merry little Theta party, seasoned throughout by occasional fore¬ gatherings of kites, and ending with the happiest kind of reunion, — are over. The dreaded mid-year’s trial by ex¬ aminations is a thing of the past; now we are expectantly awaiting the first of March, our Pledge Day, and the last Journal, in which we hope to present for inspection and adoption some (now very promising) kittens. On January nth, Mr. and Mrs. Howard C. Johnson (Edith Lamb, ’98) entertained the active chapters of Theta and Delta Upsilon of which fraternity Mr. Johnson is a member. Founders’ Day we celebrated with a gay little feast, and if loving thought and wishes can travel, many such found their way from Alpha Beta to the hundreds of “us” gathered here and there all over the country in honor of the event. On the 28th of January, at the home of Caroline F. Comly, our alumnae, with the active girls, entertained the Swarthmore chapters of Kappa Kappa Gamma and Phi Beta Phi. Cards were the order of the day, and even on

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182 KAPPA ALPHA THETA. the tallies the general scheme of decoration was carried out, — a combination of the carnation, the violet (Kappa Kappa Gamma’s chapter flower) and the pansy. Bright wishes for an even happier and closer companionship in these long- hoped for spring days. Gertrude Adams. Alpha Delta — Woman’s College of Baltimore. Senior Dramatics is always a great event at the Woman’s College, and this year we were all very proud and enthusiastic over the success of the play, “Much Ado About Nothing,” which was presented by the class of 1905, on the evenings of December 9th and 10th. At our last fraternity meeting before the holidays, we had a miniature Christmas tree and gifts for each member of Alpha Delta. After the gifts were presented by “Santa Claus,” the rest of the evening was spent in a general good time and each girl was called upon for an impromptu Christmas jingle. After what seemed a very short vacation of ten days, we resumed work January 4th. Dr. George L. Cole, of Pasadena, Cal., lectured on January 9th and 10th, on “An¬ cient and Modern Cliff Dwellers.” January 23rd and 24th, Percy Bliss Perry lectured on “Patriotic Poetry” and “Rob¬ ert L. Stevenson.” These four lectures proved intensely interesting and instructive. The basket-ball season is over : the championship game was played in the gymnasium on the evening of January 25, when the Juniors defeated the Freshmen, with a score of 17 — 3. This is the second year that the 1906 team has been privileged to wear the “B’s” on their sweat¬ ers. Every Friday afternoon from 5 to 6 o’clock the girls of Alpha Delta have their little teas in the “cosy corner.” We find it very delightful to meet our friends socially in this way. We all hailed with delight the announcement that our coming convention is to meet so near us. Nearly all of

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CHAPTER LETTERS m Alpha Delta expect to be there and are looking forward to meeting many dear and well-loved Thetas. Minnette Miller. Alpha Epsilon — Brown University. Our fraternity household has been very busy during the past few weeks. Two of the large dances have taken place, the Delta Sigma dance on January fifth, and Alpha Beta dance, February second. Our annual dance was held on February twenty-first. During this term we have pledged two more girls, Lida Bassett and Lillian Osier. The initiation was Febru¬ ary fourth, at which there were a number of alumnae. On January eighteenth we gave a small tea for Theta mothers at our fraternity room. On Founders’ Day, all the Thetas appeared with little black and gold streamers. We had our celebration in the evening, at the home of Florence Doane, where there was a large representation of both active and alumnae members. We had a very simple and quiet service, including a review of the history of both the fraternity and our own chapter. After the service, we had a good Theta time, talking and singing. Perhaps the most important social event of this term was our first Brown Alumnae dinner, which was held at Sayles Hall, January twenty-eighth. Katherine Littlefield, one of our 1902 Thetas, played the organ for the reception and for the songs, and Saida Hallett, a 1901 Theta, gave a toast on “A Brown University Degree.” It is generally thought that this banquet will greatly strengthen the stand¬ ing of the Woman’s College of Brown University. All our time and attention is now being devoted to study for the fraternity examination. We are all anxious to do our best and to be an honor to the whole fraternity. Florence E. Doane. ALPHA ZETA. — BARNARD COLLEGE. Since our last letter to the Journal Alpha Zeta’s ranks have been increased by the addition of two freshmen, Mary

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184 KAPPA ALPHA THETA . Marshall and Eva Johnson, whom we are anxious to pre¬ sent to Kappa Alpha Theta. Their initiation was held in the Christmas vacation, and it was due to this that we were able to have with us on that occasion Miss Kiep and Miss Durland, of Iota, whom we greatly enjoyed meeting. Pledge day was changed this year from the end of Feb¬ ruary to early in December by inter-fraternity compact, and by the same compact “rushing” has been strictly limited. The arrangement has been most successful in every way, and has afforded the fraternities an opportunity of becoming thoroughly acquainted with the freshmen in a dignified way, without the long rushing season, which covered, and some¬ times interfered with, examinations. These same examinations have been upon us for the past two weeks, so there is little of recent date to tell you about our college and fraternity life. As Founders’ Day came on a Friday, however, some of us were able to attend the banquet given that night at the Park Avenue Hotel, and enjoyed it immensely. Another pleasant remembrance — to us, at least — is an informal little tea given by Alpha Zeta in her 118th street rooms some time ago to the mem¬ bers of the Barnard chapter of Pi Beta Phi, which was established last spring. Amelia L. Hill. Beta District ALPHA — DE PAUW UNIVERSITY. The words “You do not fully appreciate the fraternity until you are out of the active chapter” rang often in our ears during the holidays, when so many of our alumnae returned to Greencastle to be edified with fraternity and college news. Lest their words should be too true we are determined this year to open every avenue for appreciation of Theta’s worth, and, first of all, to study most diligently for the coming fraternity examinations. Every minute of January twenty-seventh we “appreciated” Theta, as we proudly wore our black and gold ribbons to classes and en¬ livened the after-dinner discussions at “The House” with

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CHAPTER LETTERS 185 reminiscences and reading of the good letters from Jos¬ ephine Wilkinson and Ruth Baker. The latter sent us a carved gavel as a birthday gift, and we also received a handsome chair and a bouquet of lovely carnations. We appreciated heartily the invitation from Mrs. McGaughey and the delightful evening which was the result of her hos¬ pitality. Enthusiasm in oratory is running high at De Pauw just now because the winner in our primary debate, held December 17, is to show his mettle in competition with other colleges of the State at Indianapolis on February third. We also have two debating teams, one of which will go to Iowa to accept a challenge from Cornell, while the other remains here to receive Notre Dame. De Pauw Founder’s Day, January 17, was celebrated by the cessation of class work. Special services were con¬ ducted in the morning, and consisted of a speech by Dr. Bryan, of Indiana University, and some music by the De Pauw quartet and college band. In the evening the Glee Club gave a concert in Meharry Hall. Two of the three basket-ball games thus far played have been won by our team, encouraging us to believe that De Pauw will soon again be a leader here. Credits in gym¬ nasium work are now given for basket-ball practice, and the girls are working hard to prepare for some inter-sorority games. Recently sweaters were presented by the Athletic Association to the members of the first and second football, basket-ball and track teams to show the appreciation of their work by the University. To increase the funds of the Association five of the professors will, on successive Tuesday evenings, lecture on their various departments. We are missing the companionship of Margaret Tribo- let, Susie McWhirter and Carrie Fruchy, who are needed at home this term on account of illness. We look forward eagerly to the spring term, when they will be with us again and learn to know and love the two new pledges, Gertrude Free and Maud Tarleton, who donned the black and gold January 6. Stella Worthington.

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186 KAPPA ALPHA THETA. BETA — INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY. When we came back from the Christmas vacation it was to enter on a rushing season, just as long and just as hard as the fall one. We were amply rewarded, though, for all our work and anxiety when we pledged Carrie Stout of Paoli, Frances Murphy of Bloomington and Mayme Swindler of Bloomington. On Monday, Jan. 23, they were initiated into Kappa Alpha Theta. We were glad to have with us that night Mrs. Wilson, formerly of Northwestern. For various reasons Beta Chapter was compelled to omit, for this one year, the annual alumnae banquet, which is usually given on the Saturday nearest the 27th day of January. We kept the fraternity's birthday, however, by inviting the alumnae to a special meeting on Monday, Jan. 30. After the regular meeting four of the girls presented William Dean Howells' “Through the Register.'' The second Thursday of the term we gave a tea in honor of our chaperone, Miss Warren, who left us to return to her home in Indianapolis early in the term, and to intro¬ duce Mrs. Hanna, our new chaperone. The guests were our alumnae, the faculty ladies, Theta mothers and a num¬ ber of our friends among the townspeople. Every one seemed to share in the regret we active girls felt over Miss Warren's departure. One of the features of college life here, the issuing of “boguses” in each other's honor ( ?) by the Sophomore and Freshman classes, has just come to the notice of our Fresh¬ men. The other night the Sophomores opened the campaign by issuing the first boguses, which were discovered the next morning pasted on every door, post and window. It was our pleasure to watch the Freshmen industriously wash and scrape them away. It is hard to realize that the winter term is almost gone. For Beta it has been a very busy term and a very happy one. Most cordial greetings to all united in Theta bonds. Ruth O'Hair.

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CHAPTER LETTERS 187 EPSILON — WOOSTER UNIVERSITY. We of Epsilon take great pride in introducing to our sister chapters four new Thetas — Florence Clark Frazier of Zanesville, Ohio; Frances Elizabeth Kauke of Wooster, Ohio; Florence Beth Patterson of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and Marguerite Sauters White of Rochester, Pennsylvania. Caroline McCulloch, ’05, who was not in college last semes¬ ter, is with us again. For some time past we have been much interested in the reports which have come in from the different chapters. Kappa Alpha Theta seems to be pros¬ pering. May she long continue to do so. A deep shadow has been cast over our college life and activities this term by the death of Professor Oliver, the director of the conservatory of music. As yet no one has been found to take his place, and consequently musical affairs are at present almost at a standstill. Work along other lines, however, has settled down to the usual routine after the holiday intermission. Skating, coasting and bas¬ ket-ball, as always, break the monotony of these winter months. In January a convention of the Young Women's Chris¬ tian Association and also a Bible Study Institute were held. On Founders' Day we entertained the local alumnae chapter at initiation, repeating last year’s very successful experiment. A goodly number of loyal and enthusiastic “old" Thetas were present. We had a very pleasant time together comparing notes as to present and past initiations, fraternity life and administration. In this way, more than any other, it is possible to get a clear idea of the growth of the fraternity in many directions. Mary B. McClelland. ETA — UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN. The first semester of college is just drawing to a close, and we are all busy with our examinations, but after the strain of work is over we are anticipating two or three days

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188 KAPPA ALPHA THETA. of rest and pleasure. Several of the girls are looking for¬ ward to the Junior hop, one of the largest college events of the year. Others are going home to spend the few days. On January 27 we celebrated the birthday of Kappa Alpha Theta by giving a dinner, at which all the chapter was present. One of the surprises of the dinner was a chocolate cake, on which there were fifteen small candles, one for each girl. The candles were lit and the cake passed around the table, each girl making a wish for the continued prosperity of Kappa Alpha Theta as she blew out one can¬ dle. After dinner we danced and sang Theta songs. Two weeks ago the Women's League gave their an¬ nual fancy dress party. To this party only the girls of the University are invited, and it is one of the prettiest affairs of the year. The costumes this year seemed even prettier than ever before, women of all ages and nationalities being represented. For the first Saturday of next semester Mrs. Myra Post Cady (Eta) has invited the entire active chapter to be present at a luncheon given at her home in Detroit, where we are to meet our Detroit alumnae. All those who have known Eta within the last few years will be sorry to hear that Mrs. Wilson has left Ann Arbor to live in Saginaw. During the time she spent with us she was like one of us, and her departure has left a void which will long be felt. However, we have been very for¬ tunate in persuading Miss Grace Harrison, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to live with us, and, although she has been here but a short time, she has endeared herself to all of us. Louise Hills. MU — ALLEGHENY COLLEGE. The green campus, so completely hidden by its cloak of snow, the biting cold, the basket-ball, which has taken the place of football enthusiasm, the settling to work after a busy rushing season, all amply assure us winter term has

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CHAPTER LETTERS 189 come, and the girls of Mu return to take up their tasks and pleasures after the relief of vacation. The chief event has been Founders’ Day, which we celebrated by a banquet to Thetas, active and alumnae. This was served in our fraternity rooms, where we clustered about the table decorated in black and gold. Alice Crit¬ tenden Derby was a most proficient toastmistress, ably in¬ troducing those who voiced the sentiments of all in love and praise of Theta. We were particularly happy to have with us Miss Hartman, one of the founders of Mu, who graphically told us of Kappa Alpha Theta’s birth at Alle¬ gheny. Mrs. Trumball, of Iota, was another guest whom we were delighted to receive. On February the fourth Anna Haskins entertained most enjoyably the active Thetas and the Phi Kappa Psi Chapter. That this term, and, indeed, all the terms to follow, may be full of success and happiness for each member of our sister band is the earnest wish of Mu. Amy V. Courteney. PI — ALBION COLLEGE. New Year’s eve marked an event in the lives of Pi Chapter Thetas, for here in Albion, in the dear old “Octa¬ gon,” a Theta house for so many years, we witnessed the marriage of Emma Osborne to Frederic Northwood, of Chicago. Several of the girls, alumnae and active, had come back during the day for the wedding, and there was an incessant hum of voices all through the house. It would take too long to tell you of the pretty wedding, with its im¬ pressive Episcopal service. Suffice it to say the memory will long be treasured in our hearts. Our initiation brought into the chapter three girls of whom we are most proud — Bertha Root, Ruth Haller and Iva Barbour. Why is it that when we try to express how dear Theta is to us words are so inadequate ? That is what I asked myself on the night of the initiation. We have

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190 KAPPA ALPHA THETA. given up all the preliminary nonsense as not being in keep¬ ing with our ideals, and the absence of it seems to add a solemnity to our beautiful ritual. We were especially glad to have with us on that evening several of our town alumnae. We celebrated Founders’ Day by having a picnic din¬ ner at the Lodge on the preceding evening. Alice Temple Day, another dear “old girl,” was in town, and we passed an evening which bound the Theta ties closer than ever. We enjoyed exceedingly our visit from Miss Eagleson. The chapter editor had her all to herself one afternoon, and she felt her Theta ambitions rise still higher during the time Miss Eagleson spent in her room. In the evening, at the Lodge, Miss Eagleson gave us an interesting talk on the other chapters that she had visited, which broadened our views of fraternity life materially. We were only sorry not to keep her for a longer time. A missionary convention in the town last week enabled us to have some of the most prominent missionaries in Methodism on our college platform, and to hear them talk of their work. We are planning to do rather extensive fixings in our pretty house soon, and expect to look extra fine after the work is completed. Our latch string, as always, hangs out to you all. Genevieve M. Pope. ALPHA GAMMA — OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY. To one and all, greetings! Alpha Gamma’s life since Christmas has been but a steady routine of work. Not much has happened to tell you about; in fact, we are so snug in our little “Kat” parlor that we scarcely care for anything more. One thing, however, is so foremost in our minds that we do not count it among the ordinary daily events. This is our birthday party. We always look for¬ ward to that with great pleasure. Epsilon Alumnae and Alpha Gamma always celebrate this together. This year

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CHAPTER LETTERS 191 we celebrated it at the home of Grace Eagleson, president of Beta District. We were all seated at one long table, and when the supper was over Edith Cockins, of the Grand Council, told us the story of the founding of Kappa Alpha Theta. Many of us had heard the story, but not in such interesting detail, and so enjoyed it very much. Edith Bell then spoke to us about the securing of the charter for Alpha Gamma, and told us of the joys and sorrows of our younger years. The rest of the evening was spent most enjoyably singing Theta songs and informally discussing fraternity interests. Since our last letter Ohio State has been making prog¬ ress in the architectural line. The foundation for the new Chemistry building is now completed, and by next fall we expect to be able to work in it. It was just a year ago this month that the old one burned down. February is the month of formal dances, and between these and lessons O. S. U. life is a busy one. The Junior Promenade will take place on the 17th of February this year. The Girls' Glee Club is working hard, and, as this is only the second year of their existence, we are looking for¬ ward to their concert. Their great success last year prom¬ ises well for this year's concert, which will be given on March 10. Mignon Poste. ALPHA ETA — VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY. Every Theta chapter probably celebrated Founder’s Day in some especial fashion. As the 27th of January came during examination week, we received permission from our District President to celebrate on the date of the installation of Alpha Eta, combining our own chapter birthday with that of the Fraternity. So January 14 was the festive day for Alpha Eta. As this was the chapter's birthday, we decided that the party should be strictly in its honor and for its benefit. Our long talked of plans resulted in a dona-

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192 KAPPA ALPHA THETA. tion party and spread at the home of our faculty member, Miss Vaughn. At about noon nineteen of us were gathered in a large sunny room, the surroundings of a truly Theta spirit. The walls were hung with gold and black, our chap¬ ter pennants lending their splendor of color. Our gifts were many and beautiful, for our friends were more than kind to us. A handsome chafing dish, silver loving cup, brass fire-set, and a writing desk and chair were among our presents. But more important than this material benefit to the chapter is the fact that it has put into the mind and heart of every girl a plan worthy to be cherished and labored for, namely, that some day we may have a real chapter house, of our very own, as the result of our birthday parties. We thoroughly enjoyed our spread, then we took flash¬ lights and talked for the whole afternoon. Such an after¬ noon may not mean so much to you who have dormitories or chapter houses, for doubtless you do not realize what schemes we have to improvise in order to bring our girls into really close contact with each other. We have been trying an experiment at our regular bi¬ weekly meetings by converting part of the time into a reci¬ tation period, during which we recite our course of study to one of our girls who has been appointed to act as in¬ structor. We are also trying each week to have one or two girls give a short talk on some subject which comes close to our daily lives. In this way we hope to more nearly realize the true fraternity ideal and to make our meetings mean something really worth while. We labor under many difficulties here at Vanderbilt, because where there are so few girls and so many men it is hard to keep up a good college spirit among the girls. It is on this account that the fraternity has to do double work. The faculty also feel the lack of unity among the students of the various depart¬ ments, so are constantly devising ways to bring us more closely together. The chancellor and his wife entertain each year the graduating classes of all departments. This annual reception was held one evening in January, and

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CHAPTER LETTERS 193 proved a great success by giving a delightful evening to about two hundred students and sending each one home with added loyalty to Vanderbilt. On closing Alpha Eta wishes to thank all the chapters for the exchange of pennants, and to say that if you will run in and have a look at our pretty chapter room, with the pennants making a bright border around the four walls, we believe you would pronounce Alpha Eta “well housed.” Alpha Eta sends love and good wishes for a successful spring term to sister chapters, East and North and West. Louise Wilson. Delta District Delta — University of Illinois. Forty Thetas banquetted at Delta's Chapter House on January 27, in honor of Founders' Day. Some of our alumnae members who had not been able to meet with us yet this year were present, and we had a very enjoyable evening. Just now, fraternity girls at Illinois are anxious as to the outcome of a series of meetings which the Inter-frater- inty Council and a committee of faculty women have been holding. The principal subject under discussion is Rush¬ ing. The past rushing season of four weeks was so wear¬ ing, so all-absorbing, and so expensive, that some radical changes in time or methods are necessary before another year. There were dances, dinners, drives, spreads, and picnics until every one was worn out, and there was little interest and energy left for college affairs. Hundreds of dollars were spent to win or lose some thirty girls; prob¬ ably a thousand dollars would not cover the rushing ex¬ penses of the five women's fraternities here. It seems high time that some agreement be made and the problem solved, and we are glad that the women of the faculty are aiding us. The length of next year’s rushing season is still unde¬ cided, but it is certain that there will be fewer parties and less expense. Minnie L. Parker.

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194 KAPPA ALPHA THETA. Kappa — University of Kansas. The strain of examination week is bound to cause a reaction, and this is being demonstrated at Kansas by the number of spring parties which are being given, by the different fraternities. Our new Fraternal Aid Hall has made the parties unusually attractive this year, and they have been of special interest to Kappa because of the num¬ ber of alumnae they have drawn to Lawrence. We have enjoyed visits from Mary Johnson, Darlene Doubleday, Hazel Fassler, Louise Alder and Rachael Pugh. Kappa chapter has not entertained as yet, and is con¬ templating a very simple affair, in the form of a shirt-waist dance, late in the spring, that we may economize with a view to plans for next year. We are making every effort to raise our house fund, and if our expectations are real¬ ized, next fall will find us installed in a large new chapter house. The sororities at Kansas University have formed a Pan Hellenic Association this year, and have taken active steps toward a reform in certain phases of University society. All sorority girls have agreed to refuse invitations for week night parties, and also for dinners at men's fraternity houses where a chaperone is not provided. Much interest has been taken in the association, and we hope the results will be as gratifying. Under the direction of the school of Fine Arts, we have had, at the University, for the last two weeks, an excellent exhibition of the best American paintings, and a series of art lectures, given by University professors. The opportunity of seeing so instructively, the best work of American artists has been one which we have been very glad to improve. May the new term upon which we are entering, be a successful and profitable one for Thetas every where. Helen A. Alder.

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CHAPTER LETTERS 195 Rho — University of Nebraska. We of Rho are busy with the plans for our dance and banquet, to be held the seventeenth and eighteenth of Feb¬ ruary. The dance is given for the Freshmen, and they are exempt from all the work of preparation, and have the privilege of selecting six Freshmen as representatives from the other fraternities. Several of the girls are preparing a play to be given after the banquet at the chapter house. About twelve out of town girls are expected for the two affairs. The Pan Hellenic at Nebraska has been busy this winter. January first, a rule went into effect forbidding any fraternity girl to attend a university, class or frater¬ nity party on study nights. Also, resolutions have been passed expressing a decided sentiment against many of the things considered objectionable by town people, especially the notoriety given to fraternity affairs by the newspapers and the wearing of conspicuous pledge ribbons. As a result, the fraternities refuse to give notices or accounts of their doings to the papers. Each fraternity has adopted a fold of the colors for pledging. Minnie Swezey. Tau — Northwestern University. Tau Chapter is now in the midst of the mid-year ex¬ aminations. All the girls are busy with Latin, Greek and mathematics, and have not much time to think of other things. We are going to celebrate the end of examinations by having a spread in the fraternity hall. Then we shall be able to lay aside, for the time being, all thoughts of study, and have a happy time among ourselves. We were delighted to have Miss Powell, from Colum¬ bus, with us at one of bur meetings a few weeks ago. We were very sorry to have Charlotte Walker and Florence Pond leave us, and we all miss them. They have both gone South for the winter; Charlotte Walker to

Page 58

19H KAPPA ALPHA THETA. Jamaica, and Florence Pond to Florida. We hope that they may be with us again next year. Mabel Currer. Upsilon — University of Minnesota. It is with difficulty that I can bring myself to write a real sensible letter on this morning of the Pan Hellenic ball, the greatest social event of the year. The extensive preparations which have been carried on promise to trans¬ form our Armory into a veritable fairyland. During the holidays every one from out of town hur¬ ried home for a two weeks' vacation, so that only one girl was left in the house over Christmas and New Year’s day. One of the girls who lives at the house spent the holidays in Topeka, Kansas, where she saw our district president, Anna Harrison, and many other Thetas of Kappa Chapter. From her glowing reports, they surely must be typical Thetas. We held our annual banquet, January twenty-seventh, in celebration of the thirty-fifth anniversary of our frater¬ nity. Thirty-five years has Kappa Alpha Theta existed, and now she has strong chapters from the eastern coast to Leland Stanford University in the west. This year ought to show an intensive growth in every chapter. The alumnae and the active girls of Theta were very delightfully entertained at dinner on the fourteenth of January by two of the alumnae, Miss Isabelle Armstrong of Upsilon, and Mrs. Aldrich of Tau. We have been very fortunate this year in the number of times that we have had the opportunity of mingling with the older girls. On the second of February, Miss Rouse, who has traveled extensively in the cause of the Y. W. C. A., gave a very entertaining and suggestive parlor talk at the K. A. ©. house to all the fraternity girls in college. Afterwards while tea was served we chatted informally with her. Perrie Jones.

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CHAPTER LETTERS 197 Psi — University of Wisconsin. Almost our first thought on coming together again after the Christmas holidays was “examinations I” ; and we have been working hard during the last month “for the honor of the fraternity.” Somewhat to our relief, the faculty have decided to give us two weeks in which to display our accumulated knowledge, instead of crowding all examinations into one week as was the former custom. One other item of college interest is that besides the nine national women’s fraternities already here, the new na¬ tional, Alpha Xi Delta, has also established a chapter at Wisconsin. On very cold mornings, when we freeze our ears and noses on the way to our eight o’clock recitations, we sigh for a warmer climate, and envy our sisters who are more fortunate than we in that respect. And yet, we certainly have compensations. The fall of snow this year has been so heavy that the sleighing has been fine. Then, too, a new skating rink has been opened, and many of the girls spend very pleasant hours on the ice. The most exciting sport of all, is ice boating, which probably, few other col¬ lege students have a chance to enjoy. The latest craze among the girls, however, is bowling. We are to have an inter-sorority bowling contest; and many of the girls from all of the fraternities spend some time almost every day in bowling. On the twenty-seventh of January, we celebrated Theta’s birthday by entertaining our alumnae informally at the House. We received several gifts for the House, and wished ourselves many happy returns of the day. Elise F. Dexter. Alpha Theta — University of Texas. No very exciting events have befallen the Texas chapter since the last letter. We have all been home, of course, those of us who were near enough to get there,

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198 KAPPA ALPHA THETA. and we came back much rested and refreshed. We have two new girls in the House since Christmas, one of the breshmen and Jeanne Borronn, one of the former Beta Epsilons, who had returned, and been initiated. We had a very good time on the fraternity birthday. The Fresh¬ men managed the affair, which was a reproduction of a rushing party with the parts interchanged. The Freshmen were Upper Classmen that night, and we were Freshmen. We played each others' parts most beautifully, and had the best time imaginable. None of us knew before that we had such histrionic ability in our midst, especially among the Freshmen. Last Saturday afternoon we entertained in a rather more sedate manner. We gave a tea to the Univer¬ sity Ladies Club, which they all seemed to appreciate very highly, as we were the first sorority here to do it. There is not much studying to do nowadays ; it is too near the beginning of the term ; and so social functions are more frequent than usual. The greatest event of all is to occur on February n, when the Junior girls give the Seniors a Prom, in the parlors of the Woman's Building. It is a new departure here to entertain elaborately without inviting any men, and naturally we are all much interested in it. At the last meeting of the Ashbel Literary Society, Lily Campbell, one of our Seniors, who is already presi¬ dent of the Woman's Association of the University, was elected president for next term. Emma A. Greer. Gamma District Phi — Stanford University. On our return to college after Christmas vacation, we found a new fraternity chapter installed at Stanford, Gamma Phi Beta. The girls have worked long and hard for their charter and we congratulate them upon their success. This makes five national fraternities at Stanford, with a pledged chap¬ ter of Pi Beta Phi.

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CHAPTER LETTERS 199 College opened January io, and if possible our song, “we’ll make our rafters ring,” was sung with greater vim than ever before, as we have Elsie Branner, Mabel B’aum and Corneha Stevenson with us again. Not many days later we pledged Helen Green, a faculty member’s daugh¬ ter, whom we have always known, and who has been brought up in Theta faith and family. Our fraternity birthday was celebrated by a tea in the afternoon, given for the alumnae, with whom we are especially blest. Presents to the house are given each year by classes and we always feel very fine after January 27. Several alumnae from a distance returned for the anniversary, and to attend “The Rivals,” which was given by a cast chosen entirely by the “try out” system from the Sophomore class. The play was pronounced a great suc¬ cess, and the method of choosing the caste inaugurated an entirely new system in Stanford dramatics. In addition to our “at homes,” we now serve tea every Monday afternoon after Quad, hours. These teas are abso¬ lutely informal, and we hope in this way to become better acquainted with college people, both faculty and students. Mary A. Moore. OMEGA — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA. It was two weeks ago that two thousand six hundred and eighty-eight men and women registered for their term’s work at the University of California, so now, when we think of the gay wintry holidays, with the Christmas trees and scarlet holly, it seems as if we must be children rub¬ bing our eyes on our return from dreamland. Yes, that was dreamland, but now we are in our world of reality again, where determination carries us over a field of study and hard work, and where enthusiasm for college activities gives us the opportunity for so many good times. It was the first of the series of University meetings that made us feel that we had really returned again to our college life. We go to these University meetings volun-

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200 KAPPA ALPHA THETA. tarily. President Wheeler has said, “Come. I promise you all it will do you good.,, And his promise has been kept to us. So the first Friday after vacation saw us all falling into line with the hundreds that streamed into Harmon Gymnasium, for it was the first opportunity we had of wishing our Alma Mater a Happy New Year. How proud we felt of her as our President stood upon the platform and smiled down upon us as he waited for the rooters to stop their cheering ! He told us many things that morning that made us glad and happy. The attendance of the col¬ lege has increased during the last four years nearly half a thousand. A new department, a chair of music, is to be added in the college. Then the Barnard architectural plan for the greater University will be furthered this year. A new library is soon to be commenced, the fourth of our great gray stone buildings. The money, amounting to $12,000, has been appropriated for the building of an annex to Harmon Gymnasium, and a University farm costing $250,000 is to be established in the hills back of the Univer¬ sity for the Agricultural Department. All this good news makes us feel that our Greater University is not a future ideal, but a reality commencing now among us. And as our University meeting ended with over two thousand voices singing “Hail ! California,” many of us hoped to show our appreciation and loyalty by high scholarship and active interest in college affairs. On January 27 we wished Kappa Alpha Theta a happy birthday. We celebrated Founders’ Day the evening of the 28th. It is one of the events that we look forward to long in advance, for the Sophomores always give a farce, and it is one of the few evenings of the year that we have our alumnae with us ; also it is the night when Omega opens her birthday stocking, where she finds many things with which to beautify her home. We wore our colors on the birthday, and as we pinned the black and the gold beneath our pins we wished that each one of us might do all in our power to make Kappa Alpha Theta’s thirty-sixth year her brightest and happiest. Florence Very Wilson.

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ALUMNAE DEPARTMENT Time and Place of Chapter Meetings Gamma Alumnae, New York City — n 130 A. M., first Saturday of each month, January to April, inclusive, at Hotel Martha Washington, 29 E. 29th St. Meetings are held in Private Dining Room, and all who wish remain for lunch. Eta Alumnae, Burlington, Vt. — Monthly, from No¬ vember to June, at homes of members. Alpha Alumnae, Greencastle, Ind. — 2 130 P. M., second Saturday of each month from September to May, at homes of members. Epsilon Alumnae, Columbus, Ohio. — 5-8 P. M., first Saturday of each month at homes of members. Zeta Alumnae, Indianapolis, Ind. — 2:30 P. M., first Saturday of each month, at homes of members. Mu Alumnae, Cleveland, O. — Second Saturday of each month at homes of members. Kappa Alumnae, Pittsburg, Pa. — Once in two months at homes of members. Lambda Alumnae, Athens, Ohio — No specified time. Beta Alumnae, Minneapolis, Minn. — 3 P. M., second Saturday of each month at homes of members. Delta Alumnae, Chicago, Ill. — 10:30 A. M., third Sat¬ urday of each .month at Marshall Field's Tea Room. Luncheon at twelve. Xi Alumnae, Kansas City, Mo. — 2:30 P. M., last Sat¬ urday of each month at homes of members. Iota Alumnae, Los Angeles, Cal. — Second Saturday of each month at homes of members.

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202 KAPPA ALPHA THETA. MU ALUMNAE — CLEVELAND Mu Alumnae Chapter has been established just two years, and in those two years she has increased her mem¬ bership and developed great interest and enthusiasm in all her members. We have had very delightful and interesting meetings, which have been well attended. Our President, Mrs. E. G. Laughlin, of Alpha, has been a splendid leader, and we were loath to have her go to Florida for a few months. We have added some literary work to our business and social meetings, which has stimulated us to think along lines pertaining to college and fraternity life. Such ques¬ tions as these have been assigned for papers or talks : The Fraternity as a Factor in College Life — Its Advantages and Disadvantages ; Do College Women Send Their Daugh¬ ters to College? Some College Women I Have Known; Some Fraternity Meetings I Have Attended. All of these subjects have been well presented, with lively discussions following them. These discussions have brought those who had drifted away from college and fraternity life back to their former interest in them. The social life of the chapter has been much enjoyed. Several members have entertained us at luncheon. On one of these occasions we had Mrs. Fred. Mullins, of Salem, with us. Mrs. Mullins is a charter member of Epsilon Chapter, a very charming and enthusiastic Theta. Those who have joined us recently are Mrs. Lillian Gatch Randall, Ohio Gamma; Mrs. Ethel Baldwin Scott, Alpha Gamma, and Miss Mary Cross, Psi. Josephine Barnaby. DELTA ALUMNAE — CHICAGO. Very often the December meeting of Delta Alumnae, coming, as it does, on a Saturday so very near Christmas time, at the height of the season’s shopping, is smaller than other meetings. But this year, although we had not the

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ALUMNAE DEPARTMENT 203 fifty of the November meeting, on the day of the Minne¬ sota-Northwestern game, yet there were twenty-three of us who gathered in our familiar corner at Marshall Field’s. Perhaps it may be interesting to the active chapters to read just what ones of their old members were there. Our mem¬ bership, you see, extends from Lambda to Phi. Lambda — Dr. Mary Cushman Rice ; Eta — Mamah Borthwick-Cheney, Louise Gibbs, Alice Wadsworth, Laura Hills-Norton, Jane Eyer-Smoot, Carolyn Parrish-Olmstead ; Alpha — Ruth Baker, Etta Haskell-Harper ; Tau — Grace Dietrich-Groes- beck, Mabelle Thatcher-Little, Irene Parkes, Eva Hall ; Psi — Laura Smith-Lewis, Winifred Smith, Florence Bump- Warner, Ruth Stockman ; old Delta — Lily McCrea ; Kappa — May Walker-Kenyon ; Upsilon — Helen Nind; Phi — Clara Avery-Woods. The fact that of this number there were three charter members of old Eta, two of new Eta, two of Tau, and that Ruth Baker is a niece of Alice Alien-Brant, one of our founders, was noted as being interesting. Our President, Irene Parkes, entertained on Monday, January 9, from three to six, in honor of Helen Powell, of Epsilon Alumnae. At the January meeting we were invited to the Fine Arts Building to the studio of Mabel Packard, our artist member. Over twenty were delightfully entertained. The studio is filled with beautiful and interesting things, among others the exquisite minature which won the prize at St. Louis. The February meeting will again be at Marshall Field’s. When passing through Chicago come and join us on the third Saturday of each month. Eva R. Hall. XI ALUMNAE — KANSAS CITY, MO. The December meeting of Xi alumnae was held at the home of Miss Helen Williams and was the occasion for

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204 KAPPA ALPHA THETA. another re-union of active and alumnae chapter girls since most of the undergraduates had not yet returned to college from their Christmas vacation. The January meeting, held at the home of Mrs. E. D. Ellison, was a celebration of Founders’ Day, and one of the happiest events of the year for Xi alumnae and several visiting Thetas in attendance. The early part of the after¬ noon was pleasantly spent over a clever little contest. Later in the afternoon, after we had all gathered around the dining table and partaken of those things which Thetas, in common with the rest of womankind, find most delec¬ table, we listened to some very good toasts and tributes to the founders of Kappa Alpha Theta, whose memories are always especially sweet to us on the 27th of January. Miss Dorothea Nourse, Eta, presided as toastmistress, while Mrs. John Saunders, Alpha, Miss Christine Hanna, Lambda, Miss Marie Nettleton, Rho, and Mrs. E. D. Elli¬ son, Kappa, responded. Darlene Doubleday.

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PERSONALS Iota Announcement is made of the engagement of Juliet S. Crossett, 1903, to Mr. Arthur Webster Kent, Phi Kappa Psi, Cornell. Grace I. Northrup, ex.-i904, resumes study at Cornell at the beginning of the second semester. Mrs. Chas. B. Wing died in Ventura, California in January. She had been in poor* health for some time, and had gone to Santa Barbara to recuperate. Lambda Margaret Healey, ’02, is with her sister in Hinsdale, N. H. Marie Hall-Sheldon, ’02, of Rutland, was with us for initiation. Adelaide Marshall, ’oi, is in Burlington. Ruth Esther Keese, ex ’05, is studying kindergarten with Miss Page, at Danvers, Mass. Sara Dean, ex. "05, was in Burlington, in January. Helen Ferguson, 01, spent the holidays in Boston, Mass. Chi Among our guests for the past two months are Miss Caroline F. Comly, our editor-in-chief; Jennie M. Bing¬ ham, ex ’00, of the Folts Mission Institute, Herkimer, N. Y. ; and Julia B. Kellogg, '97, examiner in the Regent’s office, Albany, N. Y. Maisa Parker, ex-’o4, has resigned her position in the Meedsport High School. Her engagement to Frederick Neusbickle, ’03, Delta Upsilon, has been announced. Laura Baldwin, ex-’o6, is taking work in Pratt Insti¬ tute, Brooklyn, N. Y.

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206 KAPPA ALPHA THETA . Edna Mitchell, ’04, spent the month of February at the chapter house. In January occurred the death of Mr. Harvey S. Ly¬ man, who was, last July, married to Clara K. Brown. Beatrice C. Throop, ’04, spent the week of December 14-21, 1904, at the chapter house. Wednesday, February eighth, the active chapter gave a shower to Lola Searles, ex-05. Miss Searles’ engage¬ ment to Professor F. D. Revels was announced last sum¬ mer. E. Alice Cunningham, ’03, and Cora E. Soper, ’02, instructors in the Governeur High School, spent the after¬ noon and evening of January sixth with the active girls at the cnapter house. Alpha Beta Born to Mr. and Mrs. Wm. E. Walter (Caroline Sar¬ gent), a daughter, Henrietta Emley Walter. Mr. Powys, of England, delighted Swarthmoreans with his first lecture in the United States, on Walt Whit¬ man. Born, to Mr. and Mrs. John R. Maxwell, Jr., (Lydia Clothier), a son, John R. Maxwell 3d. Caroline Clothier, '03, gave a dinner and dance on New Year’s Eve, in honor of Aurelia M. Reynaud, Alpha Zeta. Alpha Epsilon Helen Whitmarsh, Brown, ’03, was married to Jerry Dearborn Drew, Brown ex-’o3, Phi Delta Theta, at the Union Congregational Church, January eleventh. Helen Drew was maid of honor and Alice Barrett, Georgie Peck, Ethel Rich and Irene Seabury, all of the same delegation, were bridesmaids. There was a small reception for her friends at her home. Mr. and Mrs. Drew are to live in Upper Mont Clair, New Jersey.

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PERSONALS 207 Elsie Judson Coon, ex-07, has announced her angage- ment to ;ir. Charles Howard of Kansas City, Missouri. Ruth Appleton, 'oi, was married to George Goulding, Brown ’99, Alpha Tau Omega, February fifteenth. Irene Seabury spent Junior Week at Cornell. Helen Traver, ’03, sailed for Germany, January 28, to join her sister at Munich. Beta Shortly after Christmas, Edith Alexander, ’06, left the University to accept a position in the Linton High School, as teacher of mathematics. Edna Johnson, ’98, spent several days in January with Thetas. During the Foundation Day vacation, Juliet Critten- berger, ’07, entertained her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dale J. Crittenberger of Anderson. Mr. Crittenberger spoke for the alumnae at the Foundation Day exercises. Beta has received several letters from Clara Lewis, ex-07, who is spending a year in France. We are hoping that by fall she will be able to pay us a visit after her long absence. Selma Stempel, 'oi, has returned to take her Master's degree. Eta Recent visitors to Eta chapter have been Mary Stuart, '04, Mrs. Obetz of Gamma chapter, and Miss Grace Eagle- son, Alpha Gamma. Charlotte Walker, ’oo, who went to Nortwestern Uni¬ versity this fall, returned before the holidays, and is now spending the winter In Jamaica. Charlotte Greist, ex-03, is studying in Paris this win¬ ter. Her address is 4 Rue de Chevreux. Born to Mr. and Mrs. Alden Hugh Brown (Martha Chadbourne), a daughter.

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208 KAPPA ALPHA THETA. Pi Gertrude Strickland, Elisabeth Cole, Mabel Bliss, Clara Shaffer, Inez Croman, Edith Bolster, Harriett Dalrymple, Lena Hunt, Alice Wixom and Genevieve Pope attended the wedding of Emma Osborne and Frederic Northwood, New Year’s Eve. Alice Temple Day of Indianapolis, Ind., spent a few days visiting at the “Octagon.” Harriett Dalrymple will attend the Junior Hop at Ann Arbor. Elizabeth Cole is living in Detroit. Ruie White is teaching in Munising. Mrs. Blowers, one of our patronesses, has returned from the East, where she has been visiting her daughter, Belle Blowers Everett. Lucy Gardner is spending the winter in Washington with her father, Congressman Gardner, and is studying music. Alice Wixom is teaching at Portland. Delta Trenna Miller is teaching English in the High School at Tyler, Minnesota. Julia Mattis and Isabel Staley sailed February i, on the Arabic with a partv of Champaign people, for a three months’ trip to the Holy Land and Southern Europe. Isabella Fyfe, Eta, returned to Illinois this semester to finish her course in Library Science. Born to Lydia Mather Forbes, December 7, 1904, a daughter. Kappa Kappa Chapter enjoyed a visit from her district Pres¬ ident, Miss Anna Harrison, of Topeka. On New Year’s eve was solemnized at Lawrence the wedding of Miss Erna Barteldes and Mr. Delano Maggard.

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PERSONALS ‘209 Mr. and Mrs. Maggard will make their home in Wichita. Mrs. Maggard is an alumna of Kappa Chapter, for which she was an earnest and enthusiastic worker. Rho Jeannette Post is teaching in York, Neb. Margaret Loomis is teaching in the High School at Table Rock, Neb. Tau Born to Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Douglass (Ruth Kimball) a daughter. Born to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kitchell Webster (Mary Orth) a son, Henry Kitchell Webster, Jr. Charlotte Walker is spending the winter in Jamaica. Florence Pond has gone to Florida with her parents for a few months. Helen Powell visited the chapter in January. Upsilon Harriet Shannon, ’o6, of Duluth, visited the Thetas of Minnesota. Verna Kluckholm will sail next week with her parents for a few months’ sojourn in Europe. A son was born to Mrs. Glenn Stockton McKee. Alice Jones, of Duluth, spent a few hours with us between trains on her way to California, where she intends to spend the winter. Psi On December 28 Ella Buell was married to Mr. Hoff¬ man. Among those who have visited Wisconsin the last few months are Leilah Pugh, Edna Bolendar and Mrs. Jacobs (Belle Austin).

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210 KAPPA ALPHA THETA. We are sympathizing with Ethel and Lottie Churchill in the death of their father. Daisy Paota White and Mr. Arthur E. Patrick were married this winter, and are now making their home in Asher, Oklahoma. Phi Mr. and Mrs. Homer Laughlin, Jr. visited Phi on the return from their wedding journey, which was spent in the South Sea Islands. Claire Soule, '04, is head of the English department in San Bernardino High School. Mr. and Mrs. Elwood Culberley (Helen Van Uxem, Beta) have returned from a trip abroad, and are spending the winter in New York City. Omega Grace Sutton, '95, and Maud Sutton, ’97, have returned to their home in Berkeley, after having traveled in Europe for a year. Ethel Olney, ’97, is traveling with Ruth Wilder, ’oo, in Italy, where they will be for another month. Elizabeth Arneill, ’04, has finished her post-graduate course, and has returned to her home in Ventura. Nora Thomas, ex-’o3, has announced her engagement to Mr. Walter Plunter, ex-’oo, a Delta Tau of the Univer¬ sity of California. Born to Mr. and Mrs. John J. Valentine (Jacqueline Moore, ex- ’03) a daughter, in January.

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MEWS FROM THE COLLEGE WORLD Prof. E. W. Hilgard, dean of the College of Agriculture of the University of California, has been honored by the Russian gov¬ ernment by being placed in charge of a work affecting over 300,000 square miles of the Czar’s domains. Prof. John Fryer of Oriental Languages and Literature of the University of California, during his visit to Shanghai, received five scholarships of $350 per annum from His Excellency Sheng to educate worthy Chinese in the university. It is the first instance on record of a Chinese scholarship being given to any American or European university. A university publication has just been issued, entitled “Studies in Philosophy Prepared in Commemoration of Professor George Holmes Howison’s Seventieth Birthday.” Prof. Howison is head of the Philosophy Department in the University of California. Many of the articles are written by former pupils of Prof. Howison ; some in this university, others holding permanent positions in other colleges, among whom are Prof. McGilvary of the Ethics Depart¬ ment in Cornell University, Prof. Mezes of Philosophy in the Uni¬ versity of Texas and Prof. Stratton of Experimental Psychology in Johns Hopkins University. The University of California is one of the few state institutions which has become the beneficiary of private philanthropy. Within the next few months there is to be completed upon the Berkeley campus a gray stone library building for the erection of which Charles Doe, of San Francisco, bequeathed $600,000. — Phi Kappa Psi. Director Campbell, of Lieb Observatory, University of Cali¬ fornia, has made several recent discoveries in the astronomical world, his latest being the discovery of the sixth satellite of Jupiter. The editors of Who's Who in America , have collected statistics concerning the education of over ten thousand of our most notable men. The results, which are significant, are: those without edu¬ cation, none; self-taught, 24; home taught, 278; with common school training only, 1,066 ; with high school training, 1,627 ; with college training, 7,700; of whom 6,129 were college graduates.— Alpha Tau Omega Palm. By the will of the late Willard F. Fiske, sometime librarian and professor of North European languages, at Cornell University,

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212 KAPPA ALPHA THETA. that institution has received an endowment of a half million dollars. — Alpha Tau Omega Palm. At the meeting in January of the trustees of Syracuse Uni¬ versity it was decided to use the bequest of the late John Lyman, amounting to more than $200,000, to build a hall of Natural History. The building will be located on the eastern end of the campus. Delta Delta Delta has established chapters at the University of Mississippi and the University of Iowa. The total membership of the twenty-four leading men’s frater¬ nities is about 170,000. Truly, the fraternity world has become a potent factor in the general progress of these times. Gamma Chapter of Zeta Psi was recently re-established at Syracuse University. The chapter was originally established in 1875, making the third fraternity to be represented at this university. The chapter was discontinued in 1887. The men have over $5,000 in cash and subscribed for a chapter house. Alpha Tau Omega has five members in Manila, who have or¬ ganized a Philippine Alumni Association. Sigma Delta Sigma, recently organized at Wisconsin, draws its members from both men and women students. Its career will be watched with considerable interest by members of other fra¬ ternities. — Phi Delta Theta. Pi Beta Phi has re-established California Alpha chapter, at Stanford University, February 11. Alpha Xi Delta established a chapter at Wisconsin University, January 6.

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EXCHANGES We are glad to acknowledge the following exchanges: The Trident of Delta Delta Delta, The Anchora or Delta Gamma, The Crescent of Gamma Phi Beta, The Alpha Xi Delta, The Themis of Zeta Tau Alpha, The Alpha Phi Quarterly, The Arrow of Pi Beta, Phi, The Sigma Chi Quarterly, The Record of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, The Shield of Theta Delta Chi, The Garnet and White of Alpha Chi Rho, The Caduceus of Kappa Sigma, The Phi Gamma Delta, The Alpha Tau Omega Palm, The Rainbow of Delta Tau Delta, The Shield of Phi Kappa Psi, The Delta Upsilon Quarterly, The Frater of Psi Omega, and the Beta Theta Pi. Some time ago our attention was called in class by our honored professor to the markings made by thoughtless hands upon the seats in the different recitation rooms. Although the chairs in this particular room were comparatively new, there was scarcely a desk without its share of writing. A moment’s reflection by those familiar with college life will call to mind the various Greek Letter fraternities advertised in this way. In many minds there seems to be no conception of the injury done to property thereby, nor yet any sense of the beauti¬ ful, for all things are at the mercy of a so-called love of fraternity, which makes itself manifest by marring anything within reach. Do we as fraternities wish to be classed as an uncultured or non-esthetic people? By some of our deeds we would lead people to judge so. One great desire of every fraternal organization should be to command the respect of the public for the principles for which it stands. These principles should be manifest in our every day lives. One fraternity has been known to have formed and enforced a law, whereby any of its members found guilty of disgracing its name in this way should be subject to reprimand. Sororities might well take some action which would aid in abolishing this thought¬ less habit. — Alpha Xi Delta. A fraternity Chapter means a permanently organized group of congenial students, and therefore is prepared to be a more effective force than it is possible for any group of students uncongenial and temporarily organized to be. A Chapter which promotes fraternity interests and fraternity spirit to the exclusion or diminution of active and efficient interest and participation in college life and

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214 KAPPA ALPHA THETA. affairs is a detriment — is, to use a strong but justifiable term, a nuisance, and not a help to the college, and should be condemned as such. A fraternity should be not only interested in all features of college life, but should encourage active and sustained partici¬ pation in college affairs. It should support and promote all general organizations, and should give ready and cheerful co-operation in all college enterprises and lines of work — social, business, religious, athletic, literary or otherwise. Surely we should foster the spirit of democracy in college asso¬ ciations, of “inclusiveness” rather than exclusiveness in relations with girls of other fraternities and non-fraternity girls as well. Any individual or any organization can be “exclusive.” Nothing is easier, or less profitable, or more pleasing to the spirit of vanity and shallow self-content; but it takes breadth of spirit, high- minded insight, generosity of purpose and real security of position to be inclusive” in the best sense of the word, and the latter is the better ideal. — Key of Kappa Kappa Gamma. CLIPPINGS FROM UNIVERSITY REGISTRATION STATISTICS. A comparison of the figures in the table with those for 1903 (Science, N. S., Vol. XVIII, No. 467, December 11, 1903, page 738) will show that the majority of institutions given in the table can still point to an increase in attendance over last year; at the same time, the total increase in enrollment at the combined insti¬ tutions is not as large as it was last year, and considerably smaller than it was two years ago. A number of universities, not only in the east, but also in the middle west, show a decrease, which in several institutions is quite marked. The losses in individual schools are sometimes due to an increase of requirements, and the tend¬ ency to raise the standard of requirements for entrance and advance¬ ment, not only in the professional schools, but also in the academic department, is spreading more and more and is no longer confined to one or two institutions. The press during the past year has commented widely upon the fact that the number of students from the west attending higher institutions of learning in the east seems to be decreasing, but an investigation of the facts of the case will show that while the number of western men attending western institutions is unquestionably increasing all the time, there has been no loss in the percentage of western students enrolled at east¬ ern institutions. According to the figures of last year the twenty universities enumerated ranked as follows : Harvard, Columbia, Chicago, Michi-

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EXCHANGES 215 gan, California, Illinois, Minnesota, Cornell, Wisconsin, Yale, North¬ western, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Syracuse, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Princeton, Leland Stanford and Johns Hopkins. Comparing this with the present order, we shall find that there has been no change in the relative positions of the three largest universities, Harvard, Columbia and Chicago. Michigan is fourth, followed by Minne¬ sota, Cornell, California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Yale, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Nebraska, Syracuse, Ohio, Missouri, Leland Stan¬ ford, Princeton, Indiana, Johns Hopkins and Virginia, in the order named. — Rudolph Tombo, Jr., Registrar , Columbia University. [Reprinted from Science , December 30, 1904.] The first test to be applied to any chapter of any Greek letter fraternity is the same test which is first to be applied to individual men in private and public life — the test of moral character. It is the supreme test of the chapter, the supreme test of the fraternity and the supreme test of the college. When a chapter is composed of men of deep moral worth, of sterling manly courage, then that chapter is a tower of strength to the fraternity, and a source of great inspiration to the college in which it is located. No parents, however solicitous they may be for the welfare of their son, can possibly have a better guaranty of his ultimate success in college and in after life than to have him positively and permanently identi¬ fied with such a Greek letter organization. If, on the other hand, there be any institutions of learning in our country to-day where the moral life of some chapter is below the moral level of the institution, where the atmosphere is vitiated and where the tend¬ encies are degrading, then the time has come for the fraternity to protect itself by withdrawing the charter of that chapter, and for the institution to protect itself similarly by disbanding the associa¬ tion. The moral test stands supreme in the outside world to-day. Ought it not much more to be supreme in the college and university ? We may turn and twist and squirm and wriggle as much as we please, but we cannot avoid this test. — Delta Upsilon Quarterly. HIGH SCHOOL FRATERNITIES. At the present moment few problems that confront the author¬ ities of the high schools and grammar schools of this country are more perplexing and significant than that presented by the fra¬ ternity and the sorority movement. These secret societies are spreading through the secondary schools with the rapidity of an unchecked plague. Originally devised to meet certain legitimate

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216 KAPPA ALPHA THETA. demands of university and college life, the “frat” and the sorority have suddenly made a general and sweeping invasion of high schools, and are even carrying the conquest into the grammar grades. This movement is a matter of sudden growth — at least of sudden manifestation — so far as the common schools are concerned ; but already it has gained the impetus and the insidious power of propulsion that characterizes the fully developed fad, whether in fashionable society or in the world of school children. Only a very few years ago a Greek letter fraternity was regarded as purely a collegiate institution and was not thought of in connection with high school life; the oldest secret fraternal chapter or club in the Chicago high schools is not, I think, more than four or five years old. Within the last two years, however, “frats” and sororities have multiplied like microbes in the public school system of Chicago, for instance, until their influence upon scholarship and discipline has forced the problem of their existence upon the educational au¬ thorities as a burning question which must be faced squarely. Nor is the problem by any means confined to Chicago or to the other metropolitan centres of population. It is felt universally — or at least practically so. Naturally starting in the large cities and the university towns, where the college “frat” is a familiar institution, the passion for secret orders has now percolated to the country and to the high schools in provincial towns and villages. When a feature of school life becomes so common, so nearly universal, it is bound to prove itself a powerful influence for good or for ill. A development which touches the common schools of this country with their millions of pupils should be subjected to a keen and searching scrutiny. Are secret societies, fraternities and sororities helpful or detri¬ mental to high school pupils, to the pupils of the common schools? To answer this let us ask another question: What is the car¬ dinal purpose of the common schools of this country? To give to all pupils equal opportunity to get an education — a preparation for the world-struggle that comes with maturity and the responsibilities of adult life. Anything that disturbs this equality of opportunity is contrary to the spirit and to the basic purpose of our common schools. It is my conviction that no one influence now felt in high school life is more subversive of this spirit of equalized opportunity than is the “frat movement.” Feeling that the principals and the teachers coming into close contact with pupils were the best judges of the influence exerted upon school life by these secret orders, I sought an individual expression from the fifteen principals and the 375 teachers in the

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EXCHANGES 217 high schools of Chicago. Without an exception or a dissenting voice, they characterized the influence of the fraternities and sor¬ orities as harmful to scholarship and to discipline, as un-American and undemocratic. That the attitude of these principals and teach¬ ers may be clearly understood I give below the round-robin to which all of them affixed their names: Dear Sir: We, the principals and teachers of the Chicago high schools, desire to express to you, and through you to the patrons of the schools, our disapproval of high-school fraternities and sororities. We believe these organizations are undemocratic in their nature, demoralizing in their tendencies and subversive of good citizenship; that they tend to divert their members from scholarly pursuits and to put the so-called interests of the organiza¬ tion above those of the school. The effect of secret societies is to divide the school into cliques, to destroy unity and harmony of action and sentiment, and to render it more difficult to sustain the helpful relations which should exist between pupils and teachers. Since the public school is an institution supported by public tax, all classes, without distinction of wealth or social standing, are entitled to an equal share in its benefits. Anything that divides the school community into exclusive groups, as these societies do, militates against this liberalizing influence that has made one people out of a multitude. These organizations multiply the social functions which demand too large a share of time and attention from school work. They offer temptations to imitate the amusements and relaxations of adult life, while their members have not acquired the power of guiding their actions by mature judgment. During the impression¬ able years of youth, school and home should unite their powerful influences to prevent the formation of habits that retard healthy, moral, intellectual and physical growth. It is unquestionably true that the full co-operation of these agencies is hindered by the in¬ fluence of these societies. In addition to this, our experience shows that the scholarly attainments of the majority of students belonging to these secret societies are far below the average, and we have reason to believe that this is due to the influence of such organizations. In view of these facts, we feel that secret societies in the high schools ought to be discouraged by all reasonable means. [E. G. Cooley, Superintendent of Chicago Schools. Reprinted from Sat¬ urday Evening Post.]

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218 KAPPA ALPHA THETA. Much is being said in educational circles at the present time concerning so-called high school fraternities. These pseudo-frat¬ ernal organizations have sprung up very rapidly during the last five years, especially in schools and academies in large cities. In many instances the organizations are only local societies; in others, an attempt is being made to widen the field and establish chapters in different cities. We are disposed to think that enterprises of this sort can never be of benefit to the public schools or to the legitimate college fraternity. In the one instance they can only be an aggravation to the administration, with but little to accom¬ plish during the brief and restricted relationship of the member with his chapter; and in the other, much of the uniqueness of the relationship of the freshman to his college society will be destroyed. In our opinion from the view point of the college fraternity man the system is open to the same objections which we have urged against class societies, namely, that it opens the way for a division of the affections of the young collegian and takes away from him much of the opportunities for participation and enjoyment in matters which should be sacred to any college alumnus. In one or two instances it has come to our notice that certain college fraternities have utilized chapters of high school societies as pledging organiza¬ tions. We are not disposed to countenance. this movement, and we believe that it will be detrimental in the long run for any Sigma Chi chapter to adopt this plan of securing new members. The situation is one which is bound to receive a large amount of atten¬ tion during the next year, and it would be well for all active and alumni members to post themselves as far as possible on the various problems which the question presents. The subject is one that will bear discussion. High school fra¬ ternities and fraternities in preparatory schools generally are open to abuses that may be a serious menace both to the life of any school in question and to the proper development of its members as prospective college fraternity material. For the prep school fra¬ ternity that serves as a “feeder” for some particular college frater¬ nity or chapter, but one thing may be said. It is distinctly bad. It tends to build up a highly undesirable clique in the school in which it exists, and to interfere with the freedom of choice which every prep, school boy ought to want to exercise when he enters college. The preparatory school fraternity, moreover, is likely to emphasize features of the college fraternity after which it is pat¬ terned, which in the latter are all incidental and non-essential, thereby acquiring a one-sided development, and a view point from which to judge fraternity affairs in general that is entirely out of true. The factor of secrecy, also, is apt to be altogether miscon-

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EXCHANGES 219 strued, to the end that in the preparatory school fraternity, it be¬ comes merely a challenge to the other fellows to “find out if you can.” Preparatory school fraternities are assuming proportions in the existing educational system that demands for them careful thought not only by college fraternity men, but by secondary edu¬ cators generally. They may have possibilities for material good, but their possibilities for harm are at present by far the more prominent. — Sigma Chi Quarterly.

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