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This Week in Princeton History for September 30-October 6


by April C. Armstrong *14

In this week’s installment in our recurring series, a sophomore writes about her experiences with professors, a new dress code is imposed, and more.

October 1, 1970—After observing that both alumni and students are struggling with having women on campus, Deborah Leff ’73 writes in Seventeen,

Professors, too, have their problems with coeds. In two of my classes during the first semester, I was the only girl. One professor made constant references to that fact by remarking, “I would say such-and-such but Miss Leff is here.” Another professor called me Mr. Leff throughout the term.

October 2, 1841—New York’s Log Cabin reports that three Princeton professors and several students have signed a pledge to totally abstain from alcohol. Professor Stephen Alexander has signed, while also asserting it is not a sin to drink, that the Temperance Society should not interfere with other people drinking, and that people drank in the Bible.

October 5, 1883—The Class of 1887 is forbidden to attend class wearing knee pants.

A football team photo
Princeton 1883 football team in uniform (which included knee pants). Historical Photograph Collection, Campus Life Series (AC112), Box LP37.

October 6, 1943—James S. Lipscomb ’45 is adjusting to a new campus, as he is among the 115 Princeton students in the Navy V-12 program who have been sent to Cornell for their military educations.

For the previous installment in this series, click here.

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