W415.2-007G-04 - Memorabilia: Headwear: Rat Caps

Authors

Memorabilia

Files

Identifier

W415.2-7G-4

Inclusive Dates

1950, 1955, 1957, 1960, 1965, 1971, 1973

Restrictions

Open under the rules and regulations of the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections

Scope and Content Note

This collection consists of Winthrop Rat Caps. The tradition of Rat Week originated in 1945 and required freshmen to perform whatever duties upperclassmen assigned them. Cleaning rooms, carrying books and writing letters were typical tasks assigned to first year students. Freshmen were also required to wear garnet and gold beanies at all times, meaning beanies were worn while sleeping, eating, bathing, and even while combing their hair. The purpose of Rat Week was to promote friendship between freshmen and upperclassmen, but the tradition ended when new anti-hazing policies were established in 1978 by the Board of Trustees.

Copyright

For information concerning copyright please contact the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections at Winthrop University.

Finding Aid Citation

Memorabilia, "W415.2-007G-04 - Memorabilia: Headwear: Rat Caps" (2015). University Archives Finding Aids. 264.
https://digitalcommons.winthrop.edu/universityarchives_findingaids/264