In another incident, Lila MacLeod, President of the Women's Self
Government Association (WGSA), wrote to Dean Allen on February 22,
1949, protesting Professor Rockwood's address to the Freshman Women's
Camp. She felt that the lecture on social adjustments and dating
in college life would have been more appropriate for seniors than
freshmen. Rockwood spoke about the need for privacy in the development
of courtship relations, suggesting that the women's dormitories
failed to provide appropriately private conditions. MacLeod reported
that a member of the House of Representatives who was taking Rockwood's
marriage course came up to her and "delivered a sharp criticism,"
demanding that she establish a system allowing girls to get parental
permission to sign out to men's rooms for the evening. MacLeod asserted,
"I do not feel that a university or WSGA can sponsor any absolute,
or even 'more absolute' conditions of privacy."
Such conservative reactions nonetheless paled in comparison to growing
student demand for expanded courses in the area of marriage and
relationships. In a seven-page memo to Dean Vincent and Mr. Dalton
dated 2-4-48, Professor Rockwood reported on the overwhelming student
interest in her marriage course and outlined her plan for improving
and expanding the course, incorporating student suggestions. In
later years, as feminist notions evolved, the marriage course was
no longer seen as a symbol of progressive ideals, but rather as
a contributor to the stereotype of Home Economics students being
principally interested in the "M.R.S." degree.
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