'Only school boys will go on squeaking them on purpose...'

College Handbook 1966 | Glimpses

Well, the Open House of the great grand MCC Archives that was held on 9th June 2022 in Campus, had an amazing array of vintage treasure troves galore, for the avid archive buff! 

There was a huge display of rare documents and photographs, along with some of the rarest manuscripts connected with the College.

One particular College handbook - dating back to 56 years ago - of the year 1966 - caught our attention.

The book is titled –

RULES & NOTES FOR THE STUDENTS OF MADRAS CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

Giving y’all some lovely excerpts from this College Handbook, 1966, compiled during the Principalship of Dr. Chandran D. S. Devanesen

Here goes -

You have now joined the Madras Christian College, a honourable and ancient school of learning, in which over 1680 students and 100 teachers live, converse and work together day by day.

Community life, on this scale, is quite a complicated affair, and it takes a special effort to ensure that your work and pleasure do not prevent someone else from working well or enjoying life. There have to be some common rules.

The notes in this booklet are to help you make the most of your time at the College, and to tell you how we do things here. The rules are the fruit of much experience. They are not for ever unalterable; members of staff will be ready to discuss with you how they may be improved. 

Meanwhile, please read them carefully and observe them as a matter of College loyalty.

Chandran D. S. Devanesen

Principal

IN COLLEGE

1. The College expects you to attend your classes regularly. If you are not in class, try not to disturb those who are, for instance by walking and talking in the corridors and verandahs. We keep the windows and doors open to let the air in; you will be very uncomfortable if we have to shut them to keep the noise out.

In each class you will be assigned your own seat. Keep it.

There are two bells for the first period of the day, and again after lunch. You should be in your place in class when the second bell rings. The bell I rung once at the end of each period, and a break of five minutes is usually allowed; that gives you plenty of time to get to your next class.

The College custom is to stand when your teacher enters the class, until he indicates that you may sit.

It is well known that the seats squeak during this operation, but only school boys will go on squeaking them on purpose. If you need to leave the room before the class is dismissed, ask permission.

You are not supposed to smoke in College or in and around Hall classrooms.

You are requested to walk on the paths and not on the grass and not to throw paper or other litter about or to deface walls and doors by scribbling.

Many questions of public interest await your attention; the country looks forward to your loyal and intelligent support, perhaps your leadership.

But while you are at college it expects you to study. The College may act to prevent you taking part in political movements which distract you from your present work.

NOTES FOR STUDENTS

No one has any right to be in College unless he is honestly trying to do his academic work well.

That means, you must apply yourself to your studies with some method; and not just to “mug up” enough to scrape through the next examination, but trying to get an intelligent understanding of each subject as a whole. 

A lazy, dull, or slovenly student (or teacher) is cheating the community.

Academic studies, however, are not the whole of life. Your studies themselves will be done better if you give a good deal of your time to games, debates, meetings, music, play-acting, hobbies, and conversation. These all help to make life better for yourself and for others too.

1. Try to play some OPEN-AIR GAME every day after classes are over. If you have not played much before, begin at once, it will be more difficult to start later on. Besides acquiring a new skill, you will be learning what it is to be “sporting”: playing for the side not for yourself; respecting your opponents, accepting the umpire’s decision even if you don’t agree with it.

Spectators can be sporting too, in particular by cheering the other side when you see good play.

At Meetings and Entertainments in the Anderson Hall, we should all be on our best behaviour, especially when we invite friends from outside. If you chat to your neighbour during the show, or move about too much, you may spoil the show for everyone.

When we have a distinguished visitor, be sure to take your place well before he arrives: stand when he enters the Hall; and afterwards wait in your place until the visitor’s party has left the Hall.

2. At STUDENTS MEETINGS and debates the business should be carried on with some dignity and order. No-one wants it all dull and solemn; on the other hand noise is a poor substitute for wit and humour - show that you do not approve of it.

If you decide not to put up with rowdiness, the rowdy fellows will not be able to take charge and spoil the show.

Chairmen, office-bearers and inexperienced debaters all deserve a quiet hearing, otherwise the sensible students will not come forward to take their part.

To be continued…