Magill's 100 Rules
In 1883, the College's second president Edward Magill issued a strict code of conduct to govern students, known as the "100 rules." They stand in stark contrast to the Swarthmore Bucket List of 150 things that resonate with current and past students to do before graduation. The Rules reflect the founders' interest in providing discipline and a guarded education to Swarthmore students, although they were liberalized to attract more students near the end of Magill's tenure as president in 1889.
East Wing
Students should at all times move quietly about the house. An exercise room in the basement is provided. No promenading or running on the halls is permitted.
Students will not be permitted to paint in their rooms, but may use the drawing room for that purpose.
Students having eatables in the rooms are requested to keep them in locked boxes provided by themselves for that purpose.
No cooking or cooking utensils of any kind will be permitted in the rooms.
Students should at all times have their rooms neatly arranged; beds must not be made before breakfast, but immediately after, unless the nurse gives permission to make them at recess.
No nails can be driven into walls or woodwork except in the strips provided for the purpose. On account of danger of fire, no curtains or other hangings are permitted in any of the rooms. Nothing should be thrown from the windows or placed in the gutters on the roof. Papers, etc., should be placed in the waste boxes.
Bathing may begin at 6 a.m. No bathing is permitted during study hours, nor after evening collection.
At the close of evening collection students are required to go directly to their rooms by the iron staircase, unless permission be granted by the Matron to go to the nursery. Students must obtain permission to visit from the teacher in charge of their hall.
Students of the Preparatory School must have their lights out and be in bed by 9 p.m., after which no loud conversation is permitted.
Students must not go the study room before breakfast, but may go to the girls' parlor.
Students must not go downstairs for water after evening collection.
Students must take an hour's exercise daily in the open air during the 9th, 10th, 4th, 5th, and 6th months; during the remaining months one-half hour's exercise is required, and they will report to the Matron on Fourth days.
Clothes are to be ready for wash on Seventh day by 3 o'clock, and placed by the elevators. Sixteen pieces are allowed. No white dresses nor light chintz dresses will be washed in the College laundry from 9th month 30th to 4th month 30th inclusive. No white skirts will be washed from the last of 9th month to the last of 4th month inclusive. Extra washing is charged for at the rate of 75 cents per dozen.
The housekeeper will not give food to students except [if] they bring a note from the Matron requesting that they shall give it. No cooking is to be done in the rooms.
Earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and bright sashes are forbidden.
Except sisters, members of the Preparatory School will not be permitted to room with College students.
Rooms chosen at the close of the year by students who do not return will be filled by new students or others at the discretion of the person in charge of the chambers. The choice of a room confers no right to transmit it to another student.
When students are more than two days late in returning after the summer vacation, and have given no notice of the cause of their lateness, their rooms may be assigned by those in charge of the chambers.