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University Daily Kansan, October 17, 1980
'20s flapped jazzily
By ELIZABETH MORGAN Staff Reporter
In 1929, "Our Modern Males" with Joan Cawdor was playing at the Varsity Theatre on Massachusetts Street promoting *Haming Youth!* (1929).
Flappers with short skirts and bobbed hair generally accompanied the decade in more metropolitan areas of New York, where they creep up occasionally at KU.
The Kansan suggested in 1922 the creation of "National Flapper's Fellowship" and a sister organization, the "National Flappers Flock." The "awarded purpose of this celebrated collection . . . is to promulgate joy,
The 1920s
jollity and jazz in a fast and furious manner." the Kansan said.
For a meeting place, the Kansan suggested "local palaces of amusement ... or the nearest phone booth."
ALTHOUGH "PANTING" a face was associated, sometimes contemptuously, with the flappers, Martha Bacon told her freshman hygiene class, "The times spent in powdering, painting, frizing and spit-curling is well spent and should not be considered men's weapon, for that's what God gave her her eyes for—to use on the men."
In 1921, Kansan editorialists predicted an end to jazz.
'Jazz' is nevertheless . . . Musicians who have been dazzled by the dollar sign—a great golden nebula—soon will beat their
axophones to plowshares and their tronbones into prunehooks," they
The students went on listening to the jazz music. At the frequent dances students did the camel walk and the walk around.
"In order to carry out the new dance," editorialists wrote about the jazz dance style, "little knowledge of the dancing art is required. Those participating in the dance taking any number of equal steps in desired direction will learn that a pivot and wheeling on about the balls of the feet while turning."
NONTHELESS, IT was Kansas during prohibition. Cigarettes and liquor were illegal, and on Sundays there were no movies, public card playing or dancing. Even the University library was closed.
The women—flappers or not—had to follow the dating rule: no dates after 8 p.m. except on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. An escort home from the library was an exception, providing the two did not stop for refreshments,
Scholastics had to be considered by the students. A grade above a C was required in at least 90 of the 120 hours needed to graduate. Failing grades in more than 40 percent of a semester's courses resulted in expulsion from the University.
Except for those who dared, wore warts skirts several inches below the knees. A youthful look was promised in advertisements. Dresses often had low, feathered waistlines and brimmed hairstyles trimmed with feathers or beads.
Sometimes the lake was spoiled. Until Thanksgiving, freshman males had to wear blue caps with 12-inch crimson gloves to 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. every day.
They even wore the hats to They were then the same male males were allowed to take dates at
Governor-chancellor fight spawned loyalty group
Chancellor Lindley, and the Loyalty Cooperation Committee aided KU.
Davis accused Lindley of procrastination, insubordination, political activity, aloofness and incompetency.
When the Kansas Supreme Court overruled a lower court decision and allowed Davis' decision to stand, the Supreme Court ruled against students. More than 3,000 students signed the petitions to show their support for Lindley.
Depression depleted enrollment, salaries
THE STUDENTS' efforts were dealt a temporary setback when the court
reaffirmed its position, and, on Jan. 12,
1925, the Board of Administration appointed W.L. Burdick as acting chancellor. The Board of Administration was the predecessor to the Board of Regents.
But the student body continued to pressure Governor-elect Benn Paulen. As his first official act, Paulen restored Lindley as chancellor the next day.
With Lindley back in office, the loyalty committee started work toward its goal of developing a growing appreciation of KU. Fund-raising efforts were started to build a student union so students would have a place to meet
and a common bond to bring them together.
Bv KARIELLIOTT Staff Reporter
"The movement is an effort of students, alumni and faculty members to stimulate an intelligent and dynamic loyalty to KU," wrote former chemistry professor Frank E. MELvin, who founded the committee in 1920.
That slogan was the theme used by a group of students, faculty and alumni who wanted to stem the tide of turpentine use in the education process at KU in the 1920s.
THE COMMITTEE earlier had raised more than $500,000 in pledges in less than a year for a new football stadium.
University of Kansas students drop out of school because they cannot afford to pay enrollment fees. Student loan money is difficult to obtain.
"Put KU First."
By BRIAN LEVINSON Staff Reporter
The loyalty committee was unique. It was based on the belief that opportunities go hand-in-hand with responsibilities, according to Melvin.
Faculty salaries are not increased. The chancellor warns the Board of Regents that continuing low salaries will reduce the University its better professors.
Students have difficulty finding par-
tments in school, lucky students who
have jobs, the pay is high.
A picture of the University in 1989?
No. it's1133.
The next year's salaries were reduced 15 to 25 percent below the 1932 base. But there were no equivalent reductions in teaching loads or class sizes.
Although the recession of the 1980s strains budgets and bank accounts, the Depression during the 1930s was a bleaker financial picture.
BY 1923 THE Depression had affected faculty salaries at KU. That year a 10 percent reduction in salaries was announced.
In 1933, a year's tuition was $75 for residents plus any lab or shop fees. Students were advised it would cost $200 per month to pay for school and living expenses.
Because of lack of funds, many students did not return to KU in 1932. Enrollment decreased by more than 1,000 students from 5,496 in 1930
Four hundred dollars seems low compared to today's expenses. The problem was that the average per capita income for Kansans had gone from $35 a year in 1929 to $251 a year in 1933.
If the situation was bad for the professor, it was even worse for the student.
TO HELP PAY for tuition and an average monthly room rent of $10, KU students hold a variety of part-time jobs.
Disagreements between Gov. Jonathan Davis and Chancellor Ernest Lindley resulted in Davis declaring the position of chancellor "vacant" Dec. 27, 1924, after Lindley refused to resign. The student body came to the aid of
There were the usual jobs of clerk,
cook, dishwasher, cashier or usher
along with the not so common furnace
and gasoline. All these jobs require a
bridge instructor for 50 cents a lesson.
plan granted federal funds to states so they could employ university students in campus jobs.
Students earned between $15 and $20 a month being laboratory, library or research assistants, clerical workers or
In 1834, the federal government came
a aid of the student with the College
SCHOOL for foreign students.
One industrious student crawled through the heating-pipe tunnels to collect cockroaches, which he sold to an entomologist for two cents each, according to Clifford Griffin's "The University of Kansas—A History."
In addition to part-time jobs, some students received scholarships of $40 or more.
The 1930s
$100 a year. Students also could borrow up to $100 a year from the Student Loan Fund.
For less than two cents a day the student could read the Kansas City Star. The Kansas cost $3 a year.
IF THE STUDENT was hardworking or rich enough to pay for fees and basic living expenses, where did any extra money go?
Because laundromats had not in-
vaded Lawrence yet, a student could
mail his dirty clothes home every two
weeks for about 84.
A man could buy corduroy trousers, a shirt and tie for about five dollars. A woman's wool dress cost from $6 to $15. The women's and men's shoes cost about $6.
For entertainment, the KU student could see the vaudeville acts of Edie Castleman for 20 cents or Clark Gable in "Strange Interlude" for 25 cents at the Dickinson Theatre, which is now the Opera Performance House. Women had to attend the early show because the late show was not over before curfew, 10:39 p.m.
The more affluent students could go to Kansas City to see Duke Ellington and the University. The review at Municipal Auditorium indicates for prices of $1 for women and $1.25 for men.
THE UNIVERSITY SPONSORED
Varsity dances at the Kansas Union.
Students could listen to Barney Scofield
and his band for 75 cents.
If the movies and dances were too expensive for students, they could buy a chocolate sundae for 15 cents or a phosphate for a nickel at the Rocky Mountain Museum. The records of the Cab Calloway, the Mills Brothers, or Tommy Dorsey at home.
The University also was struggling financially. The Legislature repeatedly slashed the school's budget. One effect of the reductions was smaller salaries and staff. Chancellor Lindley's salary went from $10,000 to $7,000 in 1933.
Homecoming 1980
A Special Welcome to Visiting Alumni, Family and Friends.
The Kansas Union is proud to be your host while at KU. Enjoy Your Visit!
Sunday Brunch Buffet
Main Union, Prairie Room, Level 2
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Features: Entrees, Salad Bars, Fresh Baked Pastries, desserts, plus Juices, Coffee, a very enjoyable meal.
LEVEL 2
The Prairie Room
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The Hawk's Nest 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
MAIN UNION
— LEVEL 3 —
The Deli
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Cafeteria
10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Soup & Salad Bar 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The Unions Offer:
Bookstores
Check-Cashing
Dining Services
KU Concessions
Meeting Rooms
Lounges/Study Space
Recreational Facilities
Entertainment
SATELLITE UNION
Conveniently located next to Allen Field House. There's plenty of free parking. Stop in before and after the game for a bite to eat or beverage.
East Mall Entrance
The Pantry
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The Deli Shoppe
11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
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