Easten Dormitory Life in 1936

Easten Dormitory Life in 1936

Back in March 1931, Richmond's institution of higher education, Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College, put out a small pamphlet for prospective students listing the expenses and dormitory regulations for a student who attended there some 60 years ago. Kentucky residents did not have to pay tuition. Instructional fees were $27 for one regular 18-week semester, and $18 for the 12-week summer term. Among the necessary expenses were a post office box rental of 50 cents and a $5 incidental fee, which included admission to athletic and cultural programs, library usage, and a subscription to the Eastern Progress. Dormitory room rent for one semester was from $18 to $45, depending upon the location, the furnishings, and whether there were two or three students sharing the room. The two women's dormitories were Sullivan and Burnam Halls. Every room, the pamphlet said, was "heated by steam heat and lighted by electricity." Hot and cold water were also supplied to every room. The new part of Burnam Hall, the front and right wing, had a bathroom between every two rooms. In the older part of Burnam, as in Sullivan Hall, there was one bathroom on each floor. Women students were to sign out at their dormitory desk if they left after 4 p.m. If leaving the campus, the names of their male escorts were also to be given. Memorial Hall, where now stands Beckham Hall, was the only dormitory for men. A relic of the defunct Central University, this old building housed about 175 men. "Men are expected to take care of their rooms," the pamphlet stated, with the warning that "rooms will be inspected weekly by a committee of the faculty." Students who failed to cooperate were not to be permitted to remain in the dormitory. A $3 room deposit to guarantee the proper care of the room and its furnishings was required of all dormitory students. Food for one semester was estimated as $85.50. Dormitory students were "positively required to take their meals in the college cafeteria," which was situated in the basement of Burnam Hall. They had to purchase at least $33 worth of cafeteria coupon books at the beginning of the semester. "Positively no cooking, storing or serving of food will be permitted in dormitory rooms," the pamphlet stated. How different dormitory life is today!

Dr. Robert Grise

6/13/1992

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