Regulations for Women Living on Campus
“In Loco Parentis,” Latin for “in place of parent,” refers to the legal responsibility of a person or organization to assume a parental role. As an institution of higher education, Oshkosh--prior to the mid-1970s--took that responsibility seriously. Women dormitory residents, particularly, had their freedoms limited under this model due to a greater concern (on the University’s and parents’ part) for their safety and virtue. Students, however bristled at the rules, and housing regulations for women were constantly debated and revised during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The University abolished curfews for sophomore, junior, and senior women during the 1968-1969 academic year giving Oshkosh the most liberal housing policy in the state university system. In April, 1970, the University abolished curfews for second semester freshmen women, and a year later finally lifted curfews entirely.
