Dorms have changed since 30s

The dormitory dining halls are now filled with women in curlers and men in sweathirts at mealtimes, but there once was a time when dormitory residents had to dress for dinner.

In the past when dress standards were enforced for meals, it wasn’t administrative coercin — students instituted the idea. More formal dress was traditional not only at meals but in class as well.

Things have changed in dining-room dress, and there have been many other changes in dormitory life since it became part of USC. In fact, the university’s oldest dorms now face extinction.

This year, USC loses its three original dorms, Stonier, Touton and Town and Gown. They will be converted for administrative purposes and a new dorm complex will take their places.

Stonier and Touton Halls were originally privately-owned apartment houses but started operating as dorms in the 30s, and Town and Gown, constructed in 1924, was the first dorm build by the school. As the need came up, more dorms were furnished. Harris Plaza was acquired in 1944. Bruce Hall became married students’ housing when World War II veterans return for higher education.

Enrollment increased and newer dorms were constructed. In the 50, EVK, University, Marks Hall and Trojan Hall were added. In 1963, Birnkrant and Marks Tower were built. Before the dorms were formed into complexes, each dorm had its own identity. With approximately 100 people per dorm, most residents got to know each other.

One antiquated carryover in dorm life ended only recently; the sign-in, sign-out system through which all women residents reported where they were going and when they would return to the dorms.

Sign-in, sign-out ended at midnight on weekdays and 2 a.m. on weekends, and women had to be back in the dorms by that time.

Five years ago, USC went through a tedious process of liberalizing the sign-in, sign-out system. The process took two years.

The first step let junior and senior women hvae unrestricted hours with parents’ permission. The permission slips were checked and filled with the housing department.

The second step let juniors and seniors have unrestricted hours without parental approval. The third step allowed all those from second semester freshmen on up have unrestricted hours. Finally, all were unrestricted.

Other rules and regulations still exist. Women residents have been fighting for open visitation, a privilege the Men’s Complex already has. Complaints about food quality have effected some changes in the service, and new problems and experiences will no doubt arise in the move to the new dorm complex.

Dormitory life is still changing.