| From
the November 10, 2005, edition of 'Northwest News' Newsletter.
by Dana Ternus
Alice “Mother”
Perrin
For female students attending Northwest during
its early years, two members of the staff stood out – Alice
Perrin and Edith Barnard, both of whom were dedicated to the cause
of expanding educational opportunities for both sexes.
Arriving on campus in 1911, Alice “Mother”
Perrin was the school’s first dean of women. Though never
an instructor, Perrin was influential in the lives of her students
and soon became a valued counselor known to be both approachable
and caring. One of her most challenging jobs was to help young
women find adequate housing and otherwise adjust to life away
from home.
Perrin herself owned a boarding house and
rented rooms to numerous faculty members and students over the
years. She continued on as dean until 1923 and remained with the
school until her death in 1927.
Barnard replaced Perrin as dean, and, unlike
her predecessor, had duties as an instructor as well. She is remembered
for expecting all Northwest students – men and women –
to meet high standards of academic performance and personal behavior.
Stories recount that she would call women
into her office if someone found a bit of wastepaper with the
student’s name on it.
In addition to supervising the women, Barnard
was also responsible for regulating campus functions and social
gatherings. In addition, she continued Perrin’s practice
of securing adequate housing.
Under Barnard’s direction, the college
adopted housing policies that set forth regulations for household
management and outlined the responsibilities, rights, and privileges
of both students and housemothers. Boarding establishments were
now inspected before students were allowed to move in, a requirement
Perrin had worked unsuccessfully to implement during her tenure
as dean.
In addition, Barnard helped broaden the social
life of students at Northwest. Though many of her rules were seen
as restrictive, students soon realized they had value.
She encouraged, for example, formal parties
and allowed all female students to attend regardless of economic
status. Barnard also helped the poorer girls obtain formal dresses
at low cost.
Though the social and professional status
of women was vastly different in 1920 that it is today, Perrin
and Barnard helped lay a foundation of respect, equality and discipline
that remains deeply rooted in our University culture.
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