University of Virginia Library

Local Women's' Colleges
Reform Parietal Hours

By Dave Hall

Recent changes in parietals have been
made at women's colleges, both in
dormitory and entertainment hours.

The latest changes have been made at
Hollins, where of March 2, the women
may purchase keys enabling them to
return to the dormitories after the closing
hour of 1 a.m. Prior to this date, girls
returning after closing hours faced
reprimand.

Although seemingly lenient in this
aspect of parietals, there still have been
no hours set allowing male visitors in the
dormitories. There has been some talk of a
petition concerning this problem, but if
proposed, it must face approval first by the
senate, the legislative body of students, and
then by the president of the college.

Randolph-Macon Womens' College has had
two major changes this year. The first, passed
during the last school year, gave upperclassmen
flexible hours. Under this change, students are
allowed to return an hour late without having
to "clock in." If they desire to come in later —
after 1 a.m. on weekdays and 2 a.m. on
weekends — clocking is mandatory, coupled
with punishment.

More recently, the administration has given
this privilege to freshmen on a trial basis, and
has extended dormitory entertainment hours
from the previous 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on
Saturday, to 5:30 p.m. to 12 midnight Friday,
and 1 p.m. to 12 midnight Saturday, and 1 p.m.
to 10 p.m. Sunday.

Secrecy best describes the changes recently
enacted at Mary Washington College. Under
new legislation already approved by individual
dormitories and the administration, the girls
may sign out overnight, placing the address or
number where she might be reached in a sealed
envelope.

If merely going out for one evening, she is
subject to the 12 midnight weekday and 2 a.m.
weekend hours, and any tardiness will result in
a penalty. This penalty period is taken off her
next outing.

Dormitory entertainment hours remain
under the discretion of the individual
dormitories, but the hours, especially in the
smaller dormitories, are longer. As a general
rule the hours stand at 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday in the 15
larger dormitories and all weekend in the five
smaller dormitories containing 15 or fewer girls.

Madison's major breakthrough came this
year as they were given entertainment hours for
the first time. This year they enjoy hours of 2
p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays of big weekends, but
plan to request this privilege for every Sunday
next year with possibly longer hours.

The dormitory hours remain unchanged:
freshmen 12 midnight Sunday through Friday
and 1 a.m. Saturday, sophomores and juniors 1
a.m. Sunday through Friday, and 2 a.m.
Saturday, and seniors have no hours.