Different Strokes for Different Folks
By Will Strokher
Published on Friday, October 9, 2009
While slower than most colleges in the movement towards gender equality, Dartmouth finally began admitting female students in 1972.
This important victory in women’s rights has certainly led to many significant changes within campus culture, sex and otherwise.
After countless hours of historical investigation and off-the-record interviews, I have compiled a thorough timeline of noteworthy events for our “sisters” at Dartmouth.
Sept. 19, 1972 – Women arrive at Dartmouth College. Sigma Delt begins accepting female students.
Oct. 13, 1972 – Smith student completes final “walk of shame” from Dartmouth back to her dorm room at Smith.
April 5, 1974 – First achievement of the Dartmouth Seven since Eleazar Wheelock accomplished the task in 1769.
Sept. 23, 1975 – First legacy male loses his spot at Dartmouth to a more-qualified female student.
Dec. 19, 1976 – Alpha Delta hosts its first “Super Tails” event, inviting all 10 female students. Women decide to boycott the event, but several show up anyway.
Sept. 3, 1977 – Women are allowed to join men on First-Year Trips. Male DOC leaders create “Nature Painting” trip to accommodate. Only freshman boys sign up for the newly added section.
Sept. 4, 1977 – First documented case of “trippee-cest.” Interestingly, the section was later reported to be on Nature Painting
Oct. 13, 1979 – First women’s sports team established at Dartmouth. Dartmouth wins its first Ivy League championship.
Sept. 21, 1981 – First co-ed floors are established. Women are moved from their rooms in the basement of Robo.
Sept. 29, 1981 – First co-ed floor hook-up. The term “floorcest” is coined. In order to avoid awkward confrontation in the hall, these two “floorcest” pioneers refuse to leave their respective rooms for the rest of the term.
March 21, 1984 – First Women and Gender Studies class introduced at Dartmouth. Male student drops course after discovering the syllabus has no assigned readings from “Playboy” or “Maxim.”
Sept. 20, 1988 – Blitzmail goes live at the College.
Sept. 21, 1988 – First sexist campus-wide blitz goes out, advertising a “Bros and Hoes” dance party.
Sept. 22, 1988 – First campus-wide apology blitz goes out.
Oct. 10, 1993 – Local KDE sorority established, complete with large basement and multiple pong tables. Sig Ep and Alpha Chi attendance drops sharply.
April 23, 2007 – College decides to make gender-neutral housing available in the fall. Male students apply, hoping to get placed with “hot freshman girls.”