Kenyon may not be known as a party school, but the history of its nightlife is fascinating. From a nationwide prohibition to Shock Your Mama to beloved Old Kenyon basement all-campuses, Kenyon has a diverse and intriguing party culture that has evolved dramatically throughout the decades. 

Alcohol has long been an essential aspect of the Kenyon party scene. However, with the ratification of the 18th Amendment, it was banned across college campuses from 1920 to 1933, altering the national party scene. Yet, Kenyon College actually banned alcohol before the federal prohibition. In a letter to The New York Times in 1923, Kenyon President William Peirce wrote that “the rules of Kenyon College, which forbid the use and the keeping of intoxicants either in the buildings or on the grounds of the college, long ante-date national prohibition.” A  Collegian article from 1969 highlights Kenyon’s drinking history, explaining that the purchase and consumption of all alcoholic beverages at Kenyon was prohibited in 1918, two years before the nationwide ban. More interestingly, this act was eagerly initiated by Kenyon students themselves as “a result of patriotism during the crisis of war.” Despite restrictions, students found ways to salvage and store their bootleg liquor. Professor Stuart McGowan (Class of 1928) said that during dances, “students would quietly leave Rosse Hall and go to the graveyard. There they had hidden quantities of liquor under the headstones.” Clearly, Kenyon’s drinking culture isn’t new. 

A few decades later, in the fall of 1969, Kenyon College became a coeducational institution. The introduction of women to the Hill marked a significant change to Kenyon life, trickling down to the party scene as well. A 1980 Collegian article describes the isolation of women from fraternity parties prior to the establishment of sororities on campus. The writer explained her own experience at these parties: “None of the upper class men distinguished me from any other freshman women. All that mattered was that women were there.” The incoming first-year girls had also been told in their dorm meetings that “during Rush we were going to be, in effect, boozed, used, and abused.” The writer added that, for a woman, feeling invisible and excluded at these parties was the norm: “It’s always been this way, at least since the school went co-ed … But I suppose the women will just have to accept it, because really you can’t change tradition.” 

A 1999 Collegian article mirrors these sentiments, discussing the inequalities experienced by first-year women attending fraternity parties: “The only choice available for especially green first years is between a fraternity party and staying in the dorm watching a movie. Not that I have a problem with fraternity parties … But I am not going to turn a blind eye to the obvious fact that it’s not the best way for first-year women to be introduced to Kenyon’s social scene.” To add to the exclusionary past of Kenyon parties, this article also discusses the invite-only rule of the late 20th century: “The only people who had invites slipped underneath their door were the thinnest and prettiest girls on each floor. Coincidence, I’m sure.” The writer’s proposed solution to these problems was having more coed organizations registering parties. This is a frequent occurrence on our campus now, creating a more welcoming party environment. 

Another intriguing aspect of Kenyon’s social past is the stricter guidelines that were required for hosting parties. A 1969 article from the Collegian argues for the removal of faculty chaperones. Back then, fraternities were required to formally invite seven faculty guests and their wives to act as chaperones at parties, although they were allowed to refuse. Imagine entering an Old K frat party and being checked in at the door by your English professor — I’ll bet most students wouldn’t want to see that on a Saturday night out. According to the article, the policy “shows both a belief that students cannot handle themselves at parties without faculty and a belief that students would not invite faculty to attend their parties unless they were required.” However, these rules loosened around the mid 1980s when the national drinking age was raised from 18 to 21. 

One can’t mention shifting guidelines without bringing up Kenyon’s infamous Shock Your Mama party. A timeless party tradition that’s been restricted in recent years due to its scandalous nature, Shock Your Mama was about, well, shocking your mama! A A 2006 article from the Collegian discusses some common outfits seen at the event: “There were some truly entertaining costumes at Shock Your Mama: pantless Santa, people wearing outfits made of only glow-sticks and the classic pregnant/drunk girl. But most students opted for exposing skin in lieu of exercising creativity.” 

Despite differing rules and regulations, Kenyon had and always will have some kind of party culture.