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Written by Ash ZY H.
So, we know from the over-the-top dining hall offerings to cheeky “midnight snacks” that the Wellesley student body have tastes that vary greatly. What was the socio-economic makeup of the student population that likely would have influenced these choices?
So, we know from the over-the-top dining hall offerings to cheeky “midnight snacks” that the Wellesley student body have tastes that vary greatly. What was the socio-economic makeup of the student population that likely would have influenced these choices?
In the May 2, 1912 edition of the Wellesley News, student Alice Walmsley (c/o 1906) embarks on a detailed exploration of the expenditures of a typical Wellesley student over a century ago. Walmsley divides the student body into four categories on the basis of socioeconomic class in ascending order of wealth to illustrate her findings. But first...
In the May 2, 1912 edition of the Wellesley News, student Alice Walmsley (c/o 1906) embarks on a detailed exploration of the expenditures of a typical Wellesley student over a century ago. Walmsley divides the student body into four categories on the basis of socioeconomic class in ascending order of wealth to illustrate her findings. But first...
One of the funniest finds from the College Hall dig include this (fully eaten) sardine can.
It's difficult to think that canned sardines were once a delicacy only eaten by the wealthy until into 1900s! Though we hypothesize that this was an "unladylike" snack probably enjoyed in private, there is a possibility it could have been a classy afternoon food shared between posh students!
From the dig (SU19-1102) -- Sardine can
The “First class” of students are those who spend less than $600 per school year (approximately $17,359.20 in today’s money). The necessary expenses from the college are $300, provided they do housework for their own residence house. Though these students make up 10% of the student body, they are disproportionately represented in all merit aspects of college life. In 1906, 28% of all honour scholarships given were given to students who belonged to the first class. The year before, three of four students who were elected the highest positions in the college office belonged to first class students. Though Walmsley claims that there was never a feeling of inadequacy due to family wealth in the college, these figures could be attributed to lower income students feeling more pressure to make college worthwhile as their education put a large strain on family resources. Also, these “poorer girls” always lived in Eliot Cottage or Fiske residences as they could alleviate some of the college fees (see fig. 1 on the left), which suggests a systemic segregation of classes at the college. See 'Socio-economic Class' under Academics & Leisure.
QUESTION: How would you feel if your living quarters were separated by socio-economic status today? (Answer in Google Form at the end of the page!)
QUESTION: How would you feel if your living quarters were separated by socio-economic status today? (Answer in Google Form at the end of the page!)
In a letter from student Eleanor Blair to her family on November 8, 1914, she breaks down some of her recent expenses. Note that $5 in 1914 has the purchasing power of $130 in 2020!
"some time; I was much amazed to find a ten-dollar bill and fifty cents which I didn't know I had. So I didn't need that other money after all. I'll tell you what I had to part with on pay day so you will know where some of my money has gone. (Adele [Maitiu?] just came in with a demand for 254 for Red Cross supplies)
Student Gov. dues - 0.35
Christian Association - 1.00
College News - 1.50
Class dues - 1.00
Debating Club - 0.50
___________________________________
$4.35
My lit books have been quite expensive, too -- about four or five dollars. Then I have a new Fable book coming which will cost $2.45. Did I tell you that I am chair-"
The “Second class” are those who spend between $600 to $900 per school year (up to $26,874.91 in today’s money). This is the lower end of the majority of students. Though they are not considered “poor” according to Walmsley on behalf of the Wellesley student body, their college education also fairly impacts resources available to their family back home. Second class students’ necessary expenses from the college rise to $450, the extra $150 compared to First class students to free them from household duties in their residences. They have a decent budget allocated to their own enjoyment, so they can often dress just as sharp as wealthier students while cutting corners in other areas.
The "Orient" was all the rage in fashion, particularly for the wealthy students of Wellesley College. These Boston ateliers knew their audience!
This is an ad found in the same May 1912 publication of the Wellesley News as Alice Walmsley's article.
The kimonos are priced from $93.95 to $4,697.72 in today's money!
QUESTION: What must-have "luxury" fashion items do you see around Wellesley today? (Answer in Google Form at the end of the page!)
QUESTION: What must-have "luxury" fashion items do you see around Wellesley today? (Answer in Google Form at the end of the page!)
The “Third class” of students are on the upper end of the majority of students, spending from $900 to $1200 a year (under $35,833.21 in today’s money). These students are considered “richer girls”, characterized by their costly attire, “frequent outings”, and lack of job.
The “Fourth class” of students coming from the wealthiest families make up the same percentage of the student body as First class students, 10%. They spend over $1200 per year (above $35,833.21 in today’s money) and have a lavish, costly lifestyle like the Third class.
For these richer students, being at college is actually less expensive for their families keeping them at home. At college, they feel “sufficiently well dressed with fewer clothes” compared to their usual standard. Additionally, travel and entertainment with their family would be more costly than college fees. Their expenses are “largely in keeping [up] with [the] family standards” they're used to at home.
Application/Annual fee of $10 ($290 in today's money) in order to be enrolled, way different from Wellesley's free application fee today. See 'Admissions' under Academics & Leisure.
This was found in the student information section of The Wellesley News.
Overall, the average cost per year of a Wellesley education in the early 1900 era is around $900-$1000 per academic year. At a time when the average salary of an American worker was $675 and there was typically only one working member of the household, it is safe to say that even the “poorer” students at Wellesley came from relatively affluent and comfortable families.
QUESTION: How does the socio-economic makeup of Wellesley's student body differ today? (Answer in Google Form at the end of the page!)
QUESTION: How does the socio-economic makeup of Wellesley's student body differ today? (Answer in Google Form at the end of the page!)
Bibliography
Walmsley, Alice. “The Cost of Wellesley College Life.” The Wellesley News, May 2, 1912, Wellesley College Digital Repository, https://repository.wellesley.edu/object/wellesley10232.Letter from Eleanor Blair, Wellesley, Massachusetts, to Mr. D.C. Blair, Montour Falls, New York. November 8, 1914, Wellesley College Digital Repository, repository.wellesley.edu/object/wellesley274.Kovel, Terry. "Something Old: Sardines Once Only for Wealthy." Fosters.com. October 04, 2010. Accessed December 10, 2020. https://www.fosters.com/article/20101007/GJENTERTAINMENT_01/709309985.
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