Yesterday's Student Life at FSU

In 1905, Florida legislators disbanded all previously established college in the state of Florida with the passage of the Buckman Act. In their place, four new colleges would be founded, segregated by race and gender. West Florida Seminary became Florida Female College, reserved for white women. East Florida Seminary was relocated to Gainesville and became University of the State Florida, reserved for white men and later renamed University of Florida. Two new colleges were founded as well. The State Normal and Industrial College for Colored Students was founded in Tallahassee, later renamed Florida Agricultural and Mechanical Univesity, and the Institute for the Blind, Deaf, and Dumb was founded in Saint Augustine.

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The Buckman act radically changed West Florida Seminary as it allowed it to focus on secular studies for women. Over the following years, the quality of education provided at the college increased, opening previously male-dominated fields of study to women. Student life flourished as well. Unrestrained by the regulations that had been in place the college was coeducational, women at the Florida Female College (later renamed Florida State College for Women) competed in sporting events, formed student organizations, and were free in speech and thought.

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At West Florida Seminary, women were held to a strict dress code. Photographs show full length dresses, coats, and hats being worn by women, even during leisure times. At Florida State College for Women, however, women were allowed to wear shorts, skirts, t-shirts, and other previously prohibited clothing.

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A popular annual event at Florida State College for Women was the Odds and Evens basketball game. Students were organized into teams by graduation year, odd or even. Another event was the annual Field Day. Students participated in Olympic-style events such as javelin throwing as well as traditional sports such as baseball.

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Students were even allowed to visit with men on-campus. Murphree and Reynolds halls were renovated to be outfitted with parlors where women could invite men to visit. While still supervised, this was progressive for a women’s college. Men were even allowed to enroll during summer semesters.

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During World War II, Florida State Women became important members of the home front. FSCW offered classes such as gardening and auto repair to provide students with the skills they needed to be community leaders and organizers during wartime. Many students also went on to serve in the armed forces. FSCW provided medical and engineering training for women who would later serve.