Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
This article is part of a series called Last Century Today. What follows is the minutes of Book and Key, Swarthmore’s secret society, from exactly 100 years ago.
February 14th, 1918
The Temple. Meeting of the Book and Key society called to order by Senior [redacted]. The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and approved.
Under new business, there was discussion in regard to lowering rates of college functions. It seemed to be the unanimous opinion that the rates of college functions were too high.
A short discussion about lacrosse and baseball in the quadrangle.
It was moved seconded and passed that tap day be moved forward to Thursday, April 4th and that initiation be held the following week. Question of pictures brought up. Senior Halstead raised question as to whether Book and Key was doing as much as it should around college. Our lapse in this respect laid upon the fact that the building has been without heat for sometime.
Discussion of the departments of Economics and French. Consensus of opinion that an assistant was needed in Economics department. Senior Halstead to speak with the dean about advisability of getting an assistant in this department. This followed by a discussion of French department and the question of getting a course in conversational French for those men intending to enter the service.
Seniors agreed that the senior men have not been gathering together as much as they really should but this was also blamed on the fact that the building has been without coal and heat for many weeks. Now that weather is getting warmer, seniors will get together more often. It was moved, seconded, and passed that the next meeting be called off on account of a Haverford—Swarthmore glee club concert. there being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
Fred A. Broughton, Secretary.
Senior Donnelly absent.
[Addendum] Senior Halstead has withdrawn from the college and has joined the ordinance.
Archival preservation, featured image, and assistance in translating cursive courtesy of the Friends Historical Library.
