Parietal Prudery

Anyone who thinks that Yalies are more dignified with their feminine companions that Harvard men is certainly off his chump. But a comparison of Yale and Harvard parietal rules would seem to indicate just this. Until the Housemasters and the Administration take action, the College will no longer retain its leadership in granting student freedom. The entire matter of extending the present eight o'clock deadline on weekends has been thoroughly discussed and investigated. Last fall, a Student Council Committee issued a lengthy report on the subject following a student campaign to get the rules relaxed, but this committee gave up when the Housemasters refused to make any changes.

Every crusade for revising parietal rules meets the familiar argument for retaining the present regulations. The cry of immortality in entertaining women late in the evening is best answered by the statement accompanying the new Yale regulations: "The Council of Masters believes that most undergraduates are mature enough to use the privilege wisely." Also underlying the College's reluctance to modify the rules has been a feeling of paternalism toward undergraduates. This is inconsistent with the complete freedom that students have in such matters as class attendance and late hours. If an undergraduate is mature enough to enjoy freedom in these fields, he ought to be trusted with his date.

The problem of entertaining women guests has become even more acute with the increasing cost of living at college. Many students, especially those on scholarship, are simply unable to afford the expense of providing outside diversion on an informal date. The House common rooms, even if they were opened in the evening, are more suited to the atmosphere of a cloak room.

A revision of the rules following the Yale plan seems to be the logical solution. Yalies are now allowed to entertain women in their rooms until 11 p.m. on Saturdays and on Fridays when there are no classes the following day. Such a plan is a sensible extension of traditional student freedom. But prompt action is necessary here if the problem is not to be side-tracked once more.