November 19: Second Annual Fall Concert of Clarkson Musical Association, followed by a
dance, both for the benefit of the gymnasium Building Fund
Clarkson Monitor
. An organization was formed in 1908 to publish a little book:
... which would put interclass treatment on a thoroughly manly basis; which would ensure the upperclassmen the
respect which is the heritage of every senior and junior; and which would foster the high ideals and worthy
traditions of the Tech.
Decorated with the Clarkson old gold and green colors, and with the name Clarkson
inscribed in gold across its cover, this little book,
The Clarkson Monitor
, was published to
foster and develop the Clarkson spirit and ideals, and to further the growth and unification of
the School. It contained rules, regulations, and instructions for the guidance of freshmen,
supplemented with much material of interest to all Techs.
It had begun when six men, three from each class, were appointed by the upperclassmen
in June 1908 to carry out the formation of such rules for the conduct of freshmen as would
engender in them respect for the Alma Mater and the upperclassmen, and as gently as possible,
make them realize that they were freshmen. The rationale behind that last decision lay in the
belief that a freshman had not yet struggled and fought for Alma Mater, and so had not fallen
heir to all rights and immunities which belong to those upperclassmen by custom and tradition
throughout the college world. To protect freshmen, this book also descried the dangers of the
chapel rush between freshmen and sophomores. (See 1906)
After stating specifically that freshmen were not hazed at the school,
Monitor
went on to
list the following "traditions":
Freshman/Sophomore Cane Rush, after the first chapel
Flag Rush, the week after midsemester
Freshman-Sophomore track meet, second Saturday in October
Freshman-Sophomore football game, first Saturday in November
Freshman-Sophomore baseball game, third Saturday in May
Freshman Banquet, before November 1
Proclamation Night, first Friday after registration
Tech Nite, the evening before the last chapel exercises
Senior Ball.
On Wednesday evening, June 10, the Senior Ball was held in the Assembly Hall
(chapel), which had been decorated in the most unique and artistic fashion by H.I. Van Ness
'11. Outside of the building, electric lamps had been hung, spelling out "CST- 1908." Inside the
hall, the air was kept in constant circulation by a new convenience: electric fans. Beneath the
ferns hanging from several crossties of the roof truss, Japanese lanterns glowed warmly, and
graceful festoons of interwoven ferns and miniature electric lamps showed the class colors of
'08. The two fraternity booths were gaily decorated with their respective colors, while across
one of the remaining corners of the hall was draped the new Clarkson pennant. The orchestral
float in the center was hidden behind ferns and palms, and richly decorated with bunting and
cut flowers. Music was furnished by the Potsdam Opera House Orchestra, and refreshments
were served in the suite of rooms below the hall by members of the freshman class.
The grand march was led off to the music of Victor Herbert's
The Mascot of the Troop
by Prof. Frank Williams and Mrs. Remington. Twenty dances and several extra numbers
allowed the revellers to enjoy the evening fully. The souvenir programs and dance cards were
