The Vassar Cooperative Bookshop opened, with a capital of $1300 collected as membership fees from students, faculty and alumnae. Sixty books were sold the first day. Marion Bacon, '22, was Manager, Helen Voltz, '23, student chairman and Fanny Borden, '98, faculty committee member.
Darius Milhaud, French composer and member of Le Groupe des Six, gave a lecture-recital on "Radical Tendencies in Modern Music."
The trustees voted to limit registration to 1150.
Judge Florence E. Allen of the Supreme Court of Ohio gave a series of lectures.
Antigone was presented in the Open Air Theatre by Edith Wynne Matthison and Charles Rann Kennedy, assisted by the Drama Department of Bennett School; the performance was for the benefit of Lincoln Center.
Sir Israel Gollanz, Fellow and Secretary of the British Academy, Professor of English Language and Literature at King's College, London, lectured on "The Poet and the Pearl".
Non-sectarian communion services were instituted in the Vassar College Chapel.
The Board of Trustees adopted the Vassar College Statute of Instruction, later known as The Governance of Vassar College. This became a model for other institutions. "SECTION 1. All teachers in the service of Vassar College are entitled to complete liberty of research, of instruction, and of utterance upon matters of opinion. The teacher's exercise of this right and of his rights and obligations as a citizen and a member of the community shall in no way affect his academic tenure; however, it is his responsibility to make sure that such activities shall not infringe upon his college duties. Utterances and discussions in the classroom shall be regarded as privileged and may not be published without the authority of the teacher concerned. SECTION 2. The teacher shall bear in mind that the good name of the college rests largely upon the reputation of its faculty. Accordingly, the teacher's conclusions shall be the fruits of competent and sincere inquiry, set forth with dignity, accuracy and temperateness. The teacher shall accept full responsibility for all his utterances and shall adhere to the ideals traditional in liberal education: intellectual integrity, objectivity in the search for truth, and freedom of discussion, to the end that students may be given access to relevant information and may be encouraged to form independent judgments." Governance of Vassar College, 1951, p.25.
Dr. Austen Riggs, psychiatrist, started his clinics with students, a pioneer project.
The Vocational Bureau was established under the Dean's office, with its own secretary. Originally the Teachers' Registry, it was later called the Occupation Bureau.
The constitution of Students ' Association was revised to assure more representative government and the Faculty-Student Joint Committee was reconstituted.
The students interpreted their activities to alumnae representatives in a meeting called for the purpose of "Knowing Your Undergraduate College."
Myra Hess, English pianist, gave a recital at the college.
The Menaechmi of Plautus was presented by the classes in Roman comedy.
Dr. Wilfred T. Grenfell, medical social worker in Labrador, gave an illustrated talk, "Among the Labrador Fishermen." This was the first of several visits to Vassar.
Dr. Pitirim Sorokin, formerly Professor of Sociology, University of Petrograd, gave a series of five lectures on "The Sociology of Revolution."
Luigi Pirandello, Italian playwright, discussed the underlying theories of his plays and of the modern movement in drama. His lecture, in Italian, was entitled "The Italian Theatre, Old and New." Contessa Irene di Robilan, head of the Italo-American Society, and Dr. Arthur Livingston, Pirandello's official translator, were the interpreters.
Professor Ellen Churchill Semple, '82, of Clark University, gave a series of six lectures on the geographical aspects of the Mediterranean.
Euthenics was recognized by the faculty as a satisfactory field for sequential study. Professor Annie Louise Macleod was appointed Director of Euthenics in June 1923. She was succeeded by Professor Ruth Wheeler, '99, who served from 1924 to 1944 and Mary Fisher Langmuir, '20, who was director 1944-1951. The word "euthenics" was defined by Ellen Swallow Richards, '70, as the "science of better living."
Sir Bernard Pares, English historian, lectured on "The Liberal Movement in Russia" and "Requirements of Russian Reconstruction."
A new office, that of Chief Justice, was created when the charter of Students' Association was ratified by the student body on May 14, 1924, and approved by the faculty. The duty of the Chief Justice was "to call and preside at all sessions of the Court, and to perform all other duties pertaining to the office of Chief Justice."
Bertrand Russell, English mathematician and philosopher, lectured on "The Trend of Modern Industrialism." He also lectured at the college in 1943.
The Alumnae House, erected on the rock lot at the corner of Raymond and College Avenues, was presented by Blanche Ferry Hooker, '94, and Queene Ferry Coonley, '96. Hunt & Hunt were the architects. A special dedication ceremony included a Mediaeval House Blessing and the Lighting of the Hearth-Fire. "They have builded upon a rock a dwelling place for the Spirit of Friendship and Loyalty." An alumna writes: "No one gift to the College has been so powerful in arousing the loyalty of the A.A.V.C."
The Institute for a Christian Basis of World Relations was held at Vassar College. Over 150 delegates represented the League of Women Voters, the Y.W.C.A., the American Association of University Women, the Foreign Policy Association, and other organizations.
The Student Curriculum Committee, organized the second semester of 1923/24, conducted the first Time Survey. About half of the students kept a record of all time spent on studies, extra-curricular activities and exercise. Similar Time Surveys were made in 1939 and 1955.
Reorganization of business administration of the college was undertaken by Keene Richards, General Manager, and Paul Cassat, Comptroller, both newly appointed.
The wings of Williams House, faculty residence, were opened.
The Vassar Bank was opened in the Wagner Inn. The officers included Dr. William Bancroft Hill, Professor of Religion, Professor Herbert E. Mills of the Economics Department, Dr. Henry Noble MacCracken, Professor Mabel Newcomer of the Economics Department, and Olive M. Lapham, '17.
Vassar debated Cambridge on the subject "Resolved that Modern Democracy Is not Compatible with Personal Liberty." Cambridge, with Richard Austen Butler and others upholding the affirmative, won. The audience voted two to one in favor of the negative. Members of Vassar's team were Mary Virginia Heinlein, '25, Ruth Driver, '26, and Winifred Comstock, '25. Butler later commented: "We found the earnest, logical Yankees easy to flummox, except for the Vassar girls, who ran circles round us." Time, Apr. 5, 1954.
The Vassar College Choir gave the first performance in America of Peter Warlock's Three Carols: Tyrley Tyrlow, Balulalow and As I Sat under a Sycamore Tree, arranged for women's voices by E. Harold Geer.
Nadia Boulanger, French composer and teacher of music, lectured on "Modern and Ultra-Modern Music."
A total eclipse of the sun took place between 8:01 and 10:30 a.m. "The Vassar Observatory was one of the seven important observation points for recording and photographing the eclipse, which were connected by a special telephone and telegraph circuit. Observations were made from the Observatory, Richmond Hill, Sunrise Hill, and the top of the library tower. The Executive Committee voted to stop all college work except that necessary for its safety, to allow employees to see the total eclipse." C. Furness in the Vassar Miscellany News, Jan. 21, 1925. Among the distinguished visitors who came to Vassar to view the eclipse was Prince Oyama of Tokyo, son of Stematz Yamakawa, '82.
Wanda Landowska, Polish pianist, gave a recital on the harpsichord.
Joseph Pennell, artist, illustrator and author, gave a demonstration of etching in connection with the Taylor Hall exhibition of etchings.
The Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees voted to bring on campus all off-campus students not residents of Poughkeepsie. Since 1893 off-campus houses had been in use.
The annual fee for tuition and residence was raised to $1000.
Norman Thomas, American Socialist and Director of the League for Industrial Democracy spoke on "What Is Industrial Democracy", under the auspices of the Vassar Branch of the League for Industrial Democracy. This was the first of a number of visits to the college.
An Archeological Institute was held with lectures by Professor Rhys Carpenter of Bryn Mawr, Gisela Richter of the Metropolitan Museum, Professor David M. Robinson of Johns Hopkins University, Edward T. Newell of the American Numismatic Society, Professor Tenney Frank of Johns Hopkins University and members of the Vassar College faculty. Similar institutes were held for Modern Languages in April 1927, Art and Music in November 1927, and History and Political Science in February 1928.
The all-Irish hockey team, chosen by the Irish Ladies Hockey Union, defeated the Vassar Varsity team, 2-1. "Perhaps the best team which has come to this country since the undefeated visit of the All-England in the Fall of 1921." Vassar Miscellany News.
The Board of Trustees inaugurated "Invest in Vassar," an annuity plan for alumnae.
Dr. Elizabeth Burr Thelberg, Physician and Professor of Physiology and Hygiene, 1887-1890 and 1892-1930, was decorated by the French government for her war work. She was one of the originators of the American Women's Hospitals and served for many years on the board. A freshman writing home in October 1887 said: "There is the prettiest little doctor I ever saw; she is so sweet and so unlike the usual doctor."
The J. Leverett Moore Research Fund was established by alumnae and other friends of John Leverett Moore, Professor of Latin, 1891-1923.
Sophonisba Breckinridge, Professor of Social Economy at the University of Chicago, gave the Phi Beta Kappa lecture on "The Public Profession of Social Work."
The first issue of the Vassar Journal of Undergraduate Studies was published. Christabel Forsyth Fiske, Professor of English, 1903-1940, was chairman of the Editorial Committee. It was published annually until 1944, suspended 1944-1949 and 1951-1960.
The first Euthenics Institute, later called the Vassar Summer Institute, was held. The summer institutes continued until 1959.
A symposium on "Vassar and the Changing World" held during the Council Meeting of the Associate Alumnae was open to the public. Sarah Wambaugh, graduate of Radcliffe, and authority on international affairs, spoke on "The Changing World" and six Vassar alumnae, Marion Coats, '07, Katharine Rogers, '24, Marjorie Dempsey, '15, Barbara Stimson, '19, and Lucy Kennedy Miller, '02, spoke briefly on their specialties. Margaret Jackson Allen, '01, defended the smatterer in "A Defense of the Discursive Life." This was the first vocational conference at which outstanding alumnae talked to students. The following day there was an open conference on "The International Mind" at which the speakers were Dorothy Stimson, '12, Ruth Morgan and Dr. Ernst Jaeckh, Director of the School of Politics in Berlin.
The Henry M. Sanders Laboratory of Physics, Allen & Ewing, architects, was dedicated. The building was erected in large part with a bequest from Dr. Sanders, trustee of Vassar, 1895-1921. To celebrate the opening, an Institute of Physics was held Oct. 18-22 with addresses by Professors Michael Pupin and Thomas H. Morgan of Columbia University, Dr. William R. Whitney of the General Electric Company, Professor Henry N. Russell of Princeton University, Professor Robert A. Millikan of the California Institute of Technology and Professor Frederick A. Saunders of Harvard University.
The trustees voted to adopt the recommendation of the Committee on Religious Life, that attendance at chapel be voluntary.
Sarah Lawrence College, a junior experimental college for women, was granted a provisional charter by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York. It was founded by William V. Lawrence, in consultation with Dr. MacCracken, who served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Marion Coats, '07, President of the college, 1926-1929, who worked out the educational policy. By agreement with the Vassar College Board of Trustees, the Vassar Board chose five members of the Sarah Lawrence Board, of whom at least four were of their own number. The official connection with Vassar ended in 1932, but Dr. MacCracken remained ex-officio a member of the Board of Trustees until his resignation on Dec. 9, 1936, the tenth anniversary of the founding of the college.
Georgia Avery Kendrick House, faculty dwelling, was completed, York & Sawyer, architects. It was the gift of Myra H. Avery in memory of her sister, for twenty-two years Lady Principal of the college.
The Mildred Rosalie Wimpfheimer Nursery School was completed, Allen & Collens, architects. It was given by Charles A. Wimpfheimer in honor of his daughter's graduation in 1927. The day nursery was opened Nov. 1 1927.
Palmer House, faculty dwelling, was completed with the remodeling of two old barns by Edward C. Smith, architect. It was named for Jean C. Palmer, '93, Warden of the college, 1913-1929.
Philaletheis presented Urfaust, translated by Mary Prentice Lillie, '27. This was the first translation into English and the first production of the earliest extant version of Goethe's Faust.
The Vassar College Choir gave the first performance in the United States of Arthur Honegger's Cantique de Paques and of Ralph Vaughan Williams' motet, O Vos Omnes.
Walter Pach, artist and author, lectured on "Modern Art."
Lorado Taft, of the Art Institute, Chicago, lectured on "American Sculpture and Sculptors."
The faculty adopted a new curriculum, limiting the required courses and stressing the development of a larger single major, with a stricter definition of the purpose of study.
The Lucy Maynard Salmon Research Fund was established by friends and former students of Professor Salmon "in appreciation of her outstanding achievements here at Vassar and in the community at large." Miss Salmon was Professor of History, 1887 - 1926.
The first Vassar students took part in the Junior Year Abroad, with the University of Delaware group.
A non-contributing pension plan for college employees was inaugurated with fifteen pensioners on the list.
Cushing Hall, designated as a freshman dormitory, Allen & Collens architects, was dedicated. It was named in honor of Florence M. Cushing, '74, the first woman elected to the Board of Trustees, who served as alumnae trustee, 1887-1894 and 1906-1912, and as a life trustee, 1913-1923. Vassar's enrollment was 1,145.
The Christian Association was reorganized as the Vassar Community Church. In 1950 the name was changed to the Community Religious Association, and in the spring of 1959 to the Inter-Club Council.
The college provided a "smoking room" where students could smoke on campus. The local newspapers greeted the announcement with headlines: "They Must Smoke" and "Vassar Surrenders Gracefully to the Cigarette."
The Mostellaria of Plautus was presented in Latin by the classes in Latin Comedy.
The Minnie Cumnock Blodgett Hall of Euthenics was completed, York & Sawyer, architects. It was the gift of Mr. and Mrs. John Wood Blodgett. Mrs. Blodgett was a member of the Class of 1884, a trustee from 1917 through 1931, and the mother of Katharine Blodgett Hadley, '20, trustee, 1942-1954, and chairman of the Board, 1945-1952.
The History and Political Science Institute consisted of a series of lectures under the auspices of the Departments of History and Political Science. Speakers included Baron Meyendorff, School of Slavonic Studies, London; Professor Edwin F. Gay, Harvard University; Professor Edwin M. Borchard, Yale Law School; Professor Edward P. Cheyney, University of Pennsylvania; Professor David Saville Muzzey, Columbia University; Professor Felix Frankfurter, Harvard Law School; Professor James T. Shotwell, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; Frank Tannenbaum, author and penologist; and Professor Thomas Frederick Tout, Manchester University, England.
The first air mail from Europe to the United States, carried by the Graf Zeppelin included three letters to Vassar.
Herbert Hoover, Republican, won the presidential election. "Student Vote Won by Hoover. Smith Poor Second Gets Only 209 against 506." Poughkeepsie Eagle, Nov. 3, 1928.
Edna St. Vincent Millay read her poems, under the auspices of the Vassar Cooperative Bookshop.
The Board of Trustees elected its first woman chairman, Helen Kenyon, '05. She had previously served as alumnae trustee, 1923-1928.
Stock market crashed; Great Depression began.
Arthur Honegger, French composer-pianist, leader of Le Groupe des Six, gave a recital of his own compositions.
The Model Assembly of the League of Nations was held at Vassar under the auspices of the Political Association. Eighteen colleges, including Vassar, were represented. Professor Royal Meeker of Yale and Dr. James G. McDonald of the Foreign Policy Association spoke. A Vassar-Yale debate, "Resolved that the Governments Should Adopt a System of Compulsory Arbitration," was won by Vassar, supporting the affirmative.
Economics Week was observed with six lectures. William Green, President of the American Federation of Labor, was one of the speakers.
Carl Sandburg gave readings of poetry and Rootabaga Stories, and songs with guitar accompaniment, under the auspices of the Cooperative Book Shop.
Mme. Sarojini Naidu, the first woman president of the Indian National Congress, lectured on "Interpretations of Modern Indian Renaissance."
Hallie Flanagan, who had come to Vassar in 1925 as Professor of English, was made director of the Experimental Theatre.
A Vassar student was sent to Spain for her junior year. Vassar was the first college to have junior year in Spain.
The American premiere of Luigi Pirandello's Each in His Own Way, was given by the Experimental Theatre.
Last updated: 10 November, 1999, by Jeremy R. Linden, '00.