The 1910s - Varsity

Beginning with the 1909 book, the Cincinnatian began to grow in size and in scope, embracing the true meaning of “varsity.” Moving beyond academics, senior portraits and groups, the students began to include more social reminiscences and entertaining content. Football was emerging as the dominant sport, with more than double the space dedicated to the team than that of any other sport or club throughout the decade. Many new clubs emerged, including the Vigilance Committee in 1915, charged with teaching the freshmen how to properly conduct themselves as newly inducted college students. The effects of World War I are evident in the 1919 Cincinnatian, including the first appearance of the military department, and the absence of the German Club, a long-time entry in previous books, a result of the anti-German sentiment that was presenting itself in Cincinnati and around the nation.

Featured Text

The Freshman Rules for 1914-1915
As issued by the council of fifteen

Rule 1 -- Honor and respect your upperclassmen at all times.
Rule 2 -- Wear the red and black cap within the precincts of the campus and buildings of the University of Cincinnati; campus is Calhoun to Ludlow streets and Clifton avenue to the eastern boundary of Carson field. Red and black is a sign of distinction, a signal of honor. Rejoice That we allow you to wear the Varsity colors.
Rule 3 -- Touch your cap to all Faculty members. If you have any doubt as to whether the person is of the Faculty, be on the safe side and touch your cap.
Rule 4 -- Enter McMicken Hall through the cellar way. Gentlemen only may use the front entrance; no Freshie is such.
Rule 5 -- Appear at all convocations and pow-wows.
Rule 6 -- At a football game, your seat is in the rooting section. Your throat, not your heart, needs developing there.
Rule 7 -- Leave the girls alone. Do not bother them by conversing in the halls or lunchroom. This rule will tend to keep your mind on your work, incidentally upperclassmen, being more experienced, will be better able to attend to this phase of college life.
Rule 8 -- Any Freshie so unlucky as to own an automobile must stop or park in the rear of McMicken hall, never in the front.
Rule 9 -- Never be seen with a high-school emblem of any sort upon your vest, sweater, coat or trousers.
Rule 10 -- As for Mustache, sideburns, beard or other facial adornment, these are luxuries to be enjoyed only by upper-classmen, who, for some unknown reason, desire to disguies themselves.
Rule 11 -- Thumb rings and wrist watches are absolutely prohibited.
Rule 12 -- Use of tobacco on the campus and in halls in other than corn-cob pipes is forbidden.
Rule 13 -- Freshmen must eat at side tables in lunchroom, as quietly as possible.
Rule 14 -- No member of the class of 1918 may sit upon the lions in front of McMicken Hall at any time.

Found on page 258 of the 1915 book