Comparing the relationship between upper classmen and freshmen during the early 1950’s (while Mary Elizabeth Browning was a student at Mount Holyoke) and the present upper classmen—first-year relationship, specifically focusing on the Big Sister-Little Sister tradition.

Christine A. Padilla

During the early 1950’s there were several traditions and activities in which upper classmen and freshmen participated primarily in order to build relationships or interact with one another. Presently, although there are several new traditions or modified versions of these older traditions, they are also focused on the interaction between classes, specifically between upper classmen and first-years. One specific tradition, Big Sister-Little Sister which has now become simply Junior Big Sister has continued throughout the years to present day.

Mary Elizabeth Browning made references to the developing relationship between her senior and herself and interaction with other seniors in two letters sent to her parents. The first letter (written ca. Nov. 9, 1947) included references to the tradition of Hazing Day (a day in October where first-years dress up in crazy costumes and do anything their senior sister asks them to do. Once completed, senior sisters take their freshmen sisters to dinner and a movie.) (MHC Freshman Handbook (‘51’) 34) Mary mentioned specific details pertaining to the costume that she created for herself as well as the tasks that her senior sister made her complete. She also mentioned thinking that her senior sister was nice. “My senior is very, very nice and she said she didn’t have time to really haze me…At noon she told me to meet her then gave me my last assignment which was to go to the CI with a dime for anything I wanted. Then that night she invited me to the movies…I really didn’t mind Hazing Day at all. Besides I got acquainted with a very nice senior,” (Letter 1) In her second letter (written ca. May 26, 1948) Mary included a detail referring to typing papers for seniors in exchange for money. “Yesterday I spent almost all day typing an honor paper for one of the seniors…I also have done a fifteen page paper for another senior and I guess I’ll make a couple dollars or so on that paper.” (Letter 2)

Hazing Day focused specifically on the relationship between seniors and freshmen and was only a part of the Big sister-Little sister tradition. During the early 1950’s the Big Sister-Little Sister relationship included the freshmen and all upper classmen (each freshman had a big sister from each of the other years) and it was encouraged through many activities and events. These included serenades (Sister classes usually serenade each other some night during the year, going around and singing beneath the windows” [MHC Freshman Handbook (’51’) 38]), afternoon receptions (“informal receptions at which the classes entertain each other and become better acquainted” [MHC Freshman Handbook (‘51’) 36]), and sports competitions between the classes.

Upper classmen (especially seniors) played a big role in helping their freshmen sisters adjust to college life. For example, during the summer before freshmen entered, seniors wrote letters welcoming them. Letters often consisted of messaged such as, “Welcome to Mount Holyoke then, little sister. We can’t wait to have you with us!” (MHC Freshman Handbook (’51’) 12] An example of the role senior sisters played for their freshman sisters was described in a newspaper dating back to Mary’s sophomore year at Mount Holyoke. The headline read “Freshmen Receive Holyoke Spirit Through Big Sister Friendship.” A part of the article said, “…Big sister had fulfilled her duty and her younger sisters were no longer puzzled by the challenging college routine. They had outstanding times together those first days, and they had before them more pleasures at teas, dinners, and quickly cooked-up parties in rooms after hours when they could enjoy each as simply wonderful sisters.” (MHC Newspaper, October 21, 1949)

There were also several encouraging serenades during events throughout the school year between the upper and lower classmen. An example of a song sung during a serenade from the seniors to their freshmen sisters is “Sisters, Sisters, we sing to you…sisters, sisters, we’ll always love you…always together in all sorts of weather. The yellow and green shall blend into one.” (MHC Freshman Handbook (‘51’) 41) After the seniors completed singing the song, freshen usually responded with one of their own. During serenades from freshman to juniors—songs included messages such as, “…Lead the way, you’re our guide, yours the glory, ours the pride, so tonight we sing to ’49,’ You’re the best we shall ever find…” (MHC Newspaper, October 31, 1947) The classes also competitively played games of basketball, baseball, and other sports against each other. “Dorms competed against each other in Basket Ball Intramural Tournament.” (MHC Newspaper headline November 12, 1945 pg 5)

Today there are four special traditions which encourage bonding and interaction and help to develop a sense of community between upper classmen and specifically first-years. These traditions include Disorientation (between seniors and first-years), Junior Big Sister, and Elfing (between sophomores and first-years). The tradition of Junior Big Sister involves joining each first-year with a member of the junior class. Similar to the role of the seniors in the older tradition, the role of the junior sister is to offer advice and support to their little sisters on campus issues. One major event which is a part of the Junior Big Sister tradition is the Ice Cream Social, usually taking place during the beginning of the year. (MHC Handbook, 2003-2004, 61)

An article in the Mount Holyoke College Newspaper (2003) described exactly what Junior Big Sister is. “Sisterhood is very important at Mount Holyoke. Every year, first year students are paired with juniors and sophomores who then usually act as units of support for the new students. The Big Sister-Little Sister Ice Cream Social is the first of a series of events held each year that aim to initiate and foster a sense of connectedness between upper and lower class women.” (MHC Newspaper, Thursday, September 25, 2003, 1)

Bibliography

MHC Freshman Handbook ‘51

South Hadley, Massachusetts. Archives and Special Collections, Mount Holyoke College. Mary Elizabeth Browning Papers.

MHC Newspaper, November 12, 1945 / October 31, 1947 / October 21, 1949 / September 25, 2003

MHC Handbook, 2003-2004, 61