Tuesday, May 1, 1956 THE COLLEGE NEWS ere Page Three te Ann Barthelmes ” Before deciding to come to Bryn Mawr, many people probably also applied to Mount Holyoke. For their benefit, may I say that Bryn Mawr is probably quite a different experience for them than these same years would be in South Had- ley, Mass. I have studied at both colleges, and feel in a position to comment on and compare them. . An obvious disparity is size. Mount Holyoke has nearly 1200 un- dergraduates. Yet in effect, this difference amounts ~to nothing. Faculty-student relationships are similar, and classes are the same size. If anything, there is more college coherence and less dormi- tory loyalty than here. A compli- cated and all-enveloping “big sis- tet” system adds to a general at- mosphere of. friendliness -and warmth, Residence life there is striking- ly different. Nearly all rooms are double; many are single rooms used for two students (a result of increasing college population). There is no maid service at all. Girls wait on table and share dish- drying and bell duty throughout the year. There is little mingling between classes within’ the dorms; and an awareness of age differ- ences exists, particularly between freshmen and-séniors. © The housemother ig a very prom- inent and ubiquitous figure. One must dress for breakfast, and wear heels Wednesday nights and Sun- days at dihner. The latest one can stay out is 1 a.m. on Saturday nights, 12:00 Fridays and Sundays, and_11_p.m. other nights. Fresh- men may spend only five nights away from the college first semes- ter and seven the second. Consid- ering these and many other regula- tions, I think Bryn Mawr gives us greater freedom and a more gen- uinely adult approach to college years. The status of religion is differ- ent at Holyoke than here. .Many students do their major work in the religion department. Grace is sung before all meals. Church at- tendance is required six Sunday mornings per semester and chapel attendance at 8:05 a.m., three times every two weeks. There are Sqnday evening vespers. These services draw everyone to the chapel which is, perhaps, the most beautiful and prominent building on campus. There is considerable student antagonism toward the va- rious forms of religious imposition. —especially among Jewish girls. It must be remembered that the school still carries the strong re- ligious undercurrent fostered by its founder mab 2 4k Mary Lyon) in 1837. Physical location is an important point of contrast between BMC and MHC. Although both colleges have N Barthelmes Finds Brun Mawrters ‘Differ From Mt. Holyoke Students lovely large campuses, one might say that the latter is truly in the country while the former is sub- urban in its proximity to.a cultural city. If desired, concerts, museums, and theaters are accessible to us at any time. The town of South Hadley (a small block of stores and a P.O.), nearby Amherst, Northampton, and Springfield offer nothing substantial in this line, and it is impossible to travel to Boston or New York and back in a day. To. compensate, however, the col- lege has an excellent lecture and concert series. Last year, Norman Thomas, Harold Stassen, Alfred Kazin, ‘Robert’ Frost, Eugene Isto- min, Andres Segovia and The Cleveland Symphony Orchestra were-guests. Despite this, the iso- lated location is a definite lack for someone accustomed to the many delights and quick eters of a city. The curriculum of MH is anak broader and more varied than at Bryn Mawr; five units are taken per semester the first two years. However, Mount Holyoke is less thorough in its particular courses. Especially is this notable in “baby” courses. A more solid and inten- sive foundation is laid for us here in our introductory work. There is, however, an advantage in hav- ing a wider scope of background from which to choose the major subject, Differences in student attitude and college atmosphere are evident in the two institutions. At MH, collegiateness and conformity pre- vail over slightly taboo individual- ity. Bryn Mawr, on the other hand, concentrates on individuality and tends to allow it to spill over even more than it should in what is sometimes a_ self-conscious form. At Holyoke, social life and dating occupy a much more dominant part of the college life. No one need sit home on a Saturday night. In most campus corners “intellectual” conversation, like individuality, is taboo and, when it does crop up, it is usually among a small group of rebellious “‘pseudoes” or quasi scientists. Holyoke is a close-knit, friendly college, rich in community, enthus- iasm and spirit. Its students are vital, youthful and intelligent. Col- lege life overflows and carries with it a good solid brand of learning. The student “emerging from it is well-rounded. Bryn Mawr, on the other hand, is primarily a scholars’ institution less interested in well- roundedness. Its spirit is that of the individual, the enthusiastic stu- dent, and the thinker. If, at times, this is distorted into an unhealthy egoism, a drowned or mutilated femininity, and a pompous I.Q., it is an injustice to the college and certainly is not advocated. A. C. Rich To Read Her Poems At BM Adrienne Cecile Rich, who is con- sidered by many to be one of the best younger poets writing today, will read selections from her works on Thursday, May 3 at 5 p.m. in While Miss Rich was still at Radcliffe, her first volume, A Change of World (1951) was chos- en for publication in the Yale Ser- ies of Younger Poets. In 1952 she was awarded a Guggenheim Fel- lowship for ‘travel and study in Europe, and in 1955 she published a second book,. The Diamond Cut- ters, and Other Poems. Her work appears frequently in The New Yorker and other period- icals. Senator Fulbright To Talk At BMC The Honorable J. William Ful- bright will speak in Goodhart Hall on May 7. His lecture, “The Place of the Senate in our Government,” is sponsored by the Alliance for Poltical Affairs. Senator Fulbright is a graduate of the University of Arkansas and holds a degree from Oxford Uni- versity. At the commencement of his career, he practiced law in Washington, D, C. and then serv- ed as special attorney for the Anti- Trust Division of the U. S, Depart- ment of Justice. He lectured in law at the University of Kansas, and was president of that university from 1939-41. He was a member of the 75th Congress and since 1945 he has been in the Senate, representing the third district of Arkansas. Common Treasury To Finance League The College Legislature, at a meeting on April 25, voted to put the League operating expenses un- der Common Treasury, and. also voted several changes in the col- lege election system. It was unanimously voted that all ‘League “expenses, with the ex- ception oF summer “camp, be~ae~ rived from Common Treasury. As the League budget, without sum- mer camp, is approximately $500, this would mean a maximum in- crease of $1.00 per person on Com- mon Treasury dues, which now ‘stand at $6.50. Anita Kaplan, League President, urged that discussion on the value and operating procedures of sum- mer camp be reserved for next fall. The League is able to finance the camp -this summer, and plans are already under way for it. The camp budget is generally $3,000, part of which comes from soda fountain profits, but the bulk of which has come from the League Activities drive. It is felt by some that a reevaluation of summer camp is needed; that if the camp is to be continued, a new method of financing it would have to be devised. The Legislature also voted that upperclass hall representatives to League, Alliance and AA be elect- ed-in the spring rather than in the fall. However, upperclass hall reps to Chapel Commitee will continue to be elected in the fall. Some discussion arose as to the advisability of having freshman hall reps to the organizations elected by the freshmen only, in- stead of by the entire hall. How- ever, it was voted to continue all- hall elections. It was also decided to let the various organizations determine when the fall hall elec- tions would be held. . Changes in the straw-ballot elec- tion system were discussed. It was voted that candidates for the presidency of Self-Gov be given the opportunity to discuss their beliefs and plans for Self-Gov, whether through written state- ments, mock cases, or discussion groups, ~ It was decided that the question of weighted straw ballots would be discussed in the halls. Other Wyndham. +--+ >> election “Ghanges that were meén- tioned for further thought- were the presentation of all-college elected candidates, other than presidential candidates, and open- ing the presidency of AA to a sophomore-junior. The proposed increase in the size of the College is 10% not 100% as reported in last week’s College News. Copies of her books are avail- able in the Bookshop. - Visits To Father by Eve Pollak Following its policy of introduc- ing students to many different forms of worship, Chapel Commit- tee has this spring. sponsored two trips to Father Divirie’s Circle Mission Church in Philadelphia. We began one of our visits by attending a devotional service, which opened with Scripture read- ings by Mother Divine. After the Scriptures, various followers arose and talked on religious topics or gave testimonials as to the benefits they had derived from theif belief. Between each of the statements, the followers joined in singing rhythmic songs in praise of Father Divine. These ‘songs were so catchy that we Bryn Mawrters, who had come strictly out of curiosity, found ourselves’ tapping our feet and humming or singing along. At the banquet, Father and Mother Divine sat at the head of the table and passed down im- mense quantities of many varieties of delicious food. We were all im- pressed by the grandeur of this meal and by the efficiency with which all details of serving and clearing were carried on. Through- out the dinner, many followers stood around the table singing songs-and giving. tactimaniale_ The visits served a far greater purpose than mere entertainment. The worshippers were very willing to reveal their whole philosophy of life and religion to us, and many of us were impressed by a number of facts which emerged. The final goal of Father Divine is to achiéve world peace. The first of his programmatic aims is to achieve brotherhood. The policy includes the peaceful striving for integration and absolute accept- ance of all peoples. The move- ment is international, with both col- ored and white followers through- out the world. Secondly, Father Divine insists upon obedience to the government, His followers served faithfully during the war, and all pay taxes regularly. In fact, honesty is so stressed, that, over the years, his followers have paid back to the government the money they accepted on relief during the depression, That they may be able to pay these debts, he has estab- lished’schools at which they can be trained for various occupations. All who have ever had occasion to President Appoints Katherine McBride President Eisenhower has. ap- pointed President McBride as one of 31 members to his Committee on Education Beyond the High School. In announcing plans for creating this committee in his January State of the Union message, Eisenhower said he wanted the group “to lay before us all the problems of edu- cation beyond the high school in order to encourage active and sys- tematic attack” on such problems. The first meeting of this group took place on Friday, April 27. Miss McBride is a member of the American Council on Educa- tion, and was. chosen on October the first woman to become chair- man since 1925, and the second woman ever to hold that position. > Since there has been such an extensive program of repairs to the tennis courts, the Gym De- partment would like to request that they be used properly. The use of the courts is re- served for students, faculty and staff only, They have the right to ask anyone else to leave. ' Tennis shoes must be worn on the courts, — Th / Divine’s Church Are Of Interest To Brun Mawirters work with or supervise followers of Father Divine claim them to be thorough and dependable workers. Father Divine’s program for sal- vation includes keeping the body and soul pure. This requires a life of abstinence from liquor, cigar- ettes, and sexual activity. Relig- ious experience is the substitute for these more mundane pleasures. His method for maintaining the respect of these people is to live the god- like life which he preaches. ‘Most of his followers appear to be people from the bottom rung of the social ladder. To these people he gives social acceptance and hope. In him and his program his followers have found a purpose for life and a source of happiness. Re- gardless of the cynicism with which we may view his claim. that he is God and regardless of our opinions on the doctrine of celibacy through- out life, we cannot help but mar- vel at the fervor with which the people believe in him and follow his teachings. For his followers, Father Divine hag filled some im- portant needs which otherwise so- ciety might have been called upon to supply. Much of his program is in line with what the world to- day is trying to achieve. These visits have provided us “wrtn sisignt in iivo™ Ware reves: ara mechanics of the movement. It is important that we understand and appreciate all that he is doing, though we remain aware of the fallacies and shortcomings of the system, as well. The experience of the visits was an educational and enlightening one, showing a man-. ner of life with which we were quite unfamiliar, but which, since it exists, it is best to recognize and understand. Harvard Publishes Visual Arts Report Mr, Sloane has brought to our attention a book just published by Harvard, Report of the Committee On the Visual Arts at Harvard, which has some interesting figures on the study of art at the college level in general. The committee which made the report is composed of distinguished ,scholars from many fields. They sent out ques- tionnairés to the major men’s and women’s colleges and universities throughout the country, receiving forty-three answers. Among the statistics gathered, , there appeared the fact that Bryn Mawr has a larger number of His- tory of Art majors per 1000 stu- dents than any other institution included“ in the report. Bryn Mawr’s figure is 25.4, whereas Harvard has only 2.3. Among students taking courses in, but not majoring in, History of Art, Bryn Mawr boasts a smaller number than do several other col- leges such as Vassar and Smith. This does not include our Archaeol- ogy Department, however, which the other schools lack. In geographic terms, the North- eastern schgols were found to have fewer dents in practical art courses than do the Midwestern 9, 1955, to head that group, She-is|and Southern colleges and universi- — ties. As to Harvard itself, the com- mittee found a need for greater emphasis upon the creative arts, especially those of the theatre. They suggested that a new build- ing be erected (at an estimated cost of $6,000,000) with a view to increasing artistic activity at Har- vard. Mr. Sloane feels that the report should be considered good “food for thought,” although certain of its conclusions are debatable. As yet. there is no indication of what Harvard’s action will be on the sub- ject.