This Week in Daily History
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University President Alexander Ruthven defended the University's war policies, which critics had contended was not an "all-out war effort." He said it was not the University's job "to develop soldiers alone or skilled puppets." The job of the educator is to maintain or restore civilization, holding high standards in the hope that "when the storm is over there will be someone to recover our freedoms and reorganize a society of free men," he said.
Nov. 6, 1946
The University announced a decision to uphold the tradition of allowing women to enter the Michigan Union only through the side door. They said the Union was built to provide a club for men.
Nov. 6, 1953
The student government refused to take up a "beard growing" challenge from Michigan State College (now Michigan State University), calling it "an unproductive activity for a student government."
Nov. 6, 1970
The U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare disclosed that it had been imposing temporary financial sanctions against 11 schools, including the University, for sexually discriminatory hiring practices. The department controlled nearly all of the $66 million in federal research funds and withheld the creation of new research contracts.
Nov. 7, 1950
Reports of large student-run football gambling pools at the University were under investigation. Officials speculated there were two pools with a combined weekly take of between $1,500 and $2,000. It was suspected that the pools were tied to national gambling operations, and student bookies were warned they would face stringent penalties if they were caught.
Nov. 7, 1943
For the first time in history, the University announced women would be allowed to compete alongside men on the Varsity Debating Squad. The topic of that year's debate was "Resolved: The U.S. should cooperate in establishing and maintaining an international police force upon defeat of the axis powers."
Nov. 7, 1983
Student activists seized and occupied a radiation laboratory in the East Engineering Building, blocking the door and refusing access to researchers. The students opposed the laboratory because it regularly performed research for the U.S. Department of Defense. Security officials forced their way in and told the protestors they could stay in as long as they wanted - they lasted nearly 48 hours. Lab assistants did theoretical work while kept from their equipment and said they could have lasted a month.
Nov. 8, 1956
University officials worked to prevent a panty raid that was to follow a pep rally to be held that night. Officials planned to utilize student leaders to identify instigators, who would be subject to swift disciplinary actions. "The occurrence of a panty raid is likely to mean ... that this will be the last pep rally for a good many years," one student leader warned.
Nov. 8, 1962
The University Residence Hall Board of Governors voted unanimously to make Mary Markley Residence Hall and South Quad Residence Hall co-educational for the following school year. The board also considered similar plans for Alice Lloyd Residence Hall and East Quad Residence Halls, but rejected both.
Nov. 9, 1912
Ann Arbor's prosecuting attorney and University faculty members united against local saloonkeepers in an attempt to charge them with the sale of intoxicating liquors to students, a violation of state law.
Nov. 10, 1918
Ann Arbor's taxicab companies announced that, despite student protests, they would ask the City Council for an ordinance to allow them to raise charged 10 cents to 35 cents per trip. A fraternity president declared that any rate change would be "rank discrimination" against students.
Nov. 10, 1943
The Pan-Hellenic Assembly and the Women's War Council proposed a "lights out at 11:30 policy" to "help University women to maintain good health, conserve fuel, lighten the load on electrical circuits and save light bulbs."
- Complied by Daily Staff Reporter Tyler Boersen.