Skidmore's incoming freshmen underwent several initiation rituals, and one was the wearing of the freshman bib. As described in the "College Traditions" section of the 1942–43 Student Handbook, "each entering student is given an oil cloth bib bearing her name and address, which she is required to wear the first few weeks of college. This amusing custom has a real purpose in enabling freshmen to identify each other and in accelerating acquaintance, and in enabling upperclassmen to identify them." In 1940, after completion of the Handbook test by freshman, the sophomores (Class of 1943) initiated a bib-burning ceremony, "an innovation of a new tradition, in place of the former "Hazing Day," which took place around a communal bonfire on the lawn between Newman House and Griffith Hall (see "Skidmore News," October 30, 1940, p.1 and October 23, 1942, p.1 for vivid descriptions and "Skidmore News," April 29, 1942, p.3 for an image). (Also, see bulletin "Going to Skidmore" February, 1948 p.1; Bolster_51_270_2; Bolster_10_980_2; Bolster_6669_2; Bolster_9318_5 for examples of students wearing their freshman bibs.)
