Longing for the Victrola

In 1935 the College conducted a comprehensive survey of the student body. Times have changed!

32 percent went to the Nugget Theater at least twice a week.

68 percent agreed that, all things considered, social occasions are made more congenial by drinking.

96 percent were glad they had come to Dartmouth.

19 percent were recipients of financial aid from the College.

71 percent said three house parties a year was satisfactory.

85 percent of freshmen hoped to join a fraternity.

40 percent of freshmen wanted to ditch their roommates for sophomore year.

36 percent of freshmen were not satisfied with their dorm rooms.

88 percent described the dining conditions on campus as “unsatisfactory.”

49 percent listed a lack of desirable women as the most serious gap in Hanover social life.

52 percent agreed that a fraternity stimulates intellectual activity.

56 percent described hazing connected with fraternity initiation as desirable.

71 percent listed billiards as the most attractive recreational activity at fraternities, ahead of listening to the Victrola, "indoor baseball"  and beer parties.

8 percent had their own car on campus.

Portfolio

Norman Maclean ’24, the Undergraduate Years
An excerpt from “Norman Maclean: A Life of Letters and Rivers”
One of a Kind
Author Lynn Lobban ’69 confronts painful past.
Trail Blazer

Lis Smith ’05 busts through campaign norms and glass ceilings as she goes all in to get her candidate in the White House. 

John Merrow ’63
An education journalist on the state of our schools

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