DISCIPLINE
Brothers' Particular Council, 1844
"Brother employed in keeping good order etc., resolved: 'The students must not be allowed to speak when they go from one exercise (class) to another'".
"February 18, 1844: A professor can oblige his pupils to work during their leisure time on Wednesday if they deserve that punishment".
"April 1, 1844: The use of wooden shoes is prohibited".
"May 25: Brother Francis de Sales shall henceforth go up to the Dormitory with the Boarders after prayer to light the candle."
"June 16: The Council declared it would be proper to give gymnasium lessons and to have two reviews a week". 1844
"March 4: After the retreat, detention will be established and it shall be kept regularly on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sundays at noon, except on Sundays, when it will be at 9 o'clock. Brother Stephen will preside there" LOCAL COUNCIL OF PROFESSORS, 1847 (Conduct: application and points. See Manuscripts in Large File).
(at Notre Dame, 1864) "Rev. Patrick Dillon said that all offences should be reported to either of the chief prefects -- Brothers Benoit and Florentius -- who have full power to punish or forgive at their discretion, but the President has the right in all cases to reverse their decisions. Nor should anyone be offended when another merely exercises the known duties or privileges of his office. The government of a college in these matters is similar to that of a state in which each officer has his rights and obligations according to the dignity of his office." LOCAL COUNCIL: Rev. E. Sorin, presiding, Oct. 28, 1864
(1865) "Father Patrick Dillon wished that the Brothers presiding at the student tables would use their influence to prevent the manifestations that lately have become such a nuisance." LOCAL COUNCIL, May 5, 1865
(1865) "Rev. Patrick Dillon then asked what was to be done with boys who had gone to town on Wednesday in defiance of the prohibition. This led to a long discussion, at the close of which it was decided that the ring leaders should be expelled gradually." LOCAL COUNCIL, April 21, 1865
(Granger Visit; 1878) "To my great surprise and sorrow I learn that the wise regulations of the Very Reverend Father General concerning corporal punishment are entirely left aside in several establishments. Children are whipped unmercifully and almost for nothing, contrary to the prohibition of his Reverence and the law of the state. To prevent a repetition of this evil and the sad consequences it must produce, I deem it my duty to remind you all that you are strictly forbidden to use any corporal punishment, unless you can produce a written dispensation from the Very Reverend General himself" REV. ALEXIS GRANGER, PROVINCIAL, 1878
(1906) See description of in Father Trahey's pamphlet of that title. "Brothers in Training" -- "Associate", 10:2 1906
" . . . .It was resolved that the boarders should not be whipped any longer." LOCAL COUNCIL, Mar. 1, 1852
"Rev. Patrick Dillon wished that Very Reverend Provincial would grant pardon for all the offenses of the past session, in consideration of the fact that many good students have lain too long under condemnation while new students occupy the places of honor.
"Very Reverend Provincial Sorin was pleased to do so". Feb. 3, 1865
"Boys should be hired to work in the refectories, and to be paid in schooling" LOCAL COUNCIL, 1872
"Students allowed to talk on Wednesdays and Sundays in refectories" LOCAL COUNCIL, 1872
"Smoking department granted for the senior students" LOCAL COUNCIL, 1873
"Father Superior took charge of James, Amlin, Audrian, and Theodore Coquillard and said tha they would not return to class, but that he would keep them in jail" COUNCIL OF PROFESSORS, May 21, 1847
"Hereafter we shall give the date of the arrival of each student, so that parents may know the exact time of their arrival here, and see whether or not they loitered on the way". Scholastic Year, "Scholastic", September 6, 1867
"nearly all the students who remained during the holidays obtained permission to make at least one visit to South Bend" "Scholastic", 1879
Bishop Dwenger -- Sorin. " . . . the Bishop is of your views in regard to corporal punishment -- with this exception: the Brother Superior, in the Orphanage and in the schools, should have the sole right (except in the Orphanage, after the Chaplain, in his absence) to inflict such chastisement. The Bishop thinks it necessary that the Superiors referred to should have this privilege, and they only, to the exclusion of the Brothers." Provincial, 1884
"Re: Sorin's letter -- 1884: We have givn the commnd in your last circular letter a fair trial, and the Brothers here (Fort Wayne) say positively that they cannot govern their classes without using some sort of corporal punishment, especially in the lower grades, which are so crowded and where the children cannot write.
"The Brothers say they would rather tramp home than remain in such a terrible position among bad boys, and unable to correct them . . . I fear it will be the breaking up of our schools as no one will teach unless forced to do so. I would simply beg of you to withdraw the command, at least for the present". Provincial, 1884
Sorin's Visit, June 1867. "Experience proves every year that the college gains or loses more by its discipline than by its teaching. It is our conviction that, if they could be found, prefects should be engaged at salaries equal at least to the salaries paid to the highest professors. This alone shows the importance prefects should attach to their office. Our prefects here, to meet all expectations and needs of their charge should not only be devoted and excellent religious, but well-bred if not thoroughly educated; polite, amiable, entertaining, of cheerful disposition, and yet self-possessed, men of regularity, neat in dress, and in appearance, speaking well at any time." Provincial, 1867
"Those pupils who may wish to shave shall do so on Wednesdays and Saturdays after dinner, and they may get hot water from the kitchen" COUNCIL OF PROFESSORS, November 5, 1845
"Every pupil shall get a sheet of letter paper once a month -- Nov. 26
"Brother Stephen shall for the future rule the copy books of the small study room and shall attend to that class regularly" January, 1847
"Mr. F. Letourneau shall be praised".
"The pupils will vote on the 21 day of July for the various premiums for which they have to vote" June 20, 1845
"The pupils will begin reading at dinner and at supper for the premiums for public reading, on the fifteenth of July" COUNCIL OF PROFESSORS
"The masters will vote privately for the premium of honor and of public reading" COUNCIL OF PROFESSORS
"Those who do not pay shall have neither penknives nor inkstands". COUNCIL OF PROFESSORS, 1844
"General Regulations for the Boarders: Rising at 5:30, except for May 1 to vacation, when it will be at 5:00. 5:50 vocal and mental prayer in the study hall with Brother Augustine, followed by Mass, after which study. 7:30 breakfast followed by recreation. 8:00 study. 8:15 . . . .class. 12:00 dinner and recreation. 1:30 class. 4:00 recreation. 4:30 class. 6:00 spiritual conference".
"The Council decided (6/16/44) that it would be proper to give lessons in the gymnasium, and to have two reviews every week on Sundays and Wednesdays."
"Boarders shall kneel on the benches of their tables when they have to say prayers and not on the floor" 7/6/1844
"Baorders must not have their hands in their pantaloons during recreation".
"Pupils must never leave the place of recreation without permission; neither must they blow their noses with their hands".
"Council recommended that such games as dominoes should be encouraged."
"The boys may cut out shinny sticks during walks and take them home, provided they do not abuse them." Objected to.
"A professor can oblige his pupils to work during their leisure time on Wednesday, if they deserve that punishment".
"The pupils were taught how to go up and down the staircase".
"The boarders shall have two buckets of water to wash with". 1844
"The two German pupils are not to be allowed to walk by themselves".
"Mr. Gouesse complained that nearly half the boys did not take soup and asked what he should do. The Council replied that they should not be compelled to take soup and that Brother Vincent should be told to give good soup and not so much of it."
"Brother Bernard may mend the pens of those who have no penknives." 1845
"Brother Gatian said that he could not keep Mr. Horan busy during his class, without neglecting the other boys. Wherefore the Council unanimously resolved that Patience and Hope were the only remedies they could give." COUNCIL OF PROFESSORS, I. 13. 1845
"The Master of Studies shall have a needle and thread for the use of pupils" COUNCIL OF PROFESSORS, 1844
"Council of Prefect of Discipline was the 'Council of the Brothers' employed in keeping good order, maintaining cleanliness, and overseeing the Boarders."
"This Council was subject to the Council of Professors."
"The Council of the Prefect of Discipline present two articles to the Council of Professors: 1) it is impossible to enforce laws before they are known; 2) we can't enforce them unless we have means of doing it."
"Severe infractions of the rule made to stand at the stake during recreation".
"Should beg Father Superior never to allow the boarders to dispose of their money". COUNCIL OF PREFECT OF DISCIPLINE. 17.
"Pupils assembled for class must stand when the Professor comes in."
"Paper and quills shall be given to the pupils every other week on Mondays after spiritual reading -- two sheets of paper, and two quills". COUNCIL OF PROFESSORS, 1844
"It is stipulated that pupils should generally be accompanied when they take a privilege in hunting, going to town, etc." COUNCIL OF PROFESSORS, 1845
"Brother Gatian said that those who had money bought paper with it which they cut up and wasted in the study-room, and that therefore this should be prohibited. But some councillors alleged that Boarders were allowed to do so in France, so the proposal was rejected." COUNCIL OF DISCIPLINE
"Father Superior spoke of having the boys whipped. Father Cointet, Brother Gatian, and Mr. O'Leary strongly opposed the suggestion, which was seconded by Brother Francis de Sales."
"Ink made by the Sisters."
"That such boarders that may have contracted the habit of chewing, should not continue it without the supeior's permission."
"Members of the Council of the Prefect of Discipline: Fr. Gouesse, President. Brother Gatian, Secretary; Brothers Augustine, Vincent, Paul, Mr. Riley." May, 1845
"Boarders shall go to confession once a month as the regulations direct." 1844
"Sunday afternoons: Vespers at 2:00, then Compline, Benediction, and a class in Linear Drawing, which shall last till 4:00 . . . ." 1844
"Father Superior convoked the Council of Professors, in order to give the Professors and Overseers some advice about their dealings with the Boarders and recommended in a particular manner to lead them rather by affection than by fear, not to be too severe, and never to exasperate them."
"A jail will be prepared for hard cases and Mr. Eben Desnoyers shall be detained in the classroom at noon until it is ready."
"Those pupils who are more than fifteen years old may hold their hands in the pockets of their pantaloons."
"Father Gouesse said he could not punish more than four boys a day, and Reverend Superior agreed to punish if there were more." COUNCIL OF PROFESSORS, II. 36, 1845
"The Council of Professors decided that steel pens may be used by those who can buy them, but not for the writing class."
"Father Granger will be required not to let parents see their children before they have been reviewed by the Prefect of Discipline to see whether they are clean."
"Brother Stephen's class shall use the Grammar printed here."
"Mr. Shawe shall be asked, if possible, to teach Natural History and Algebra without books." 1846
"Boarders bathed for the first time this year as the weather was too cold." July 3, 1847
"The pupils when wanted outdoors for work, must not be commanded but merely invited to do so." COUNCIL OF DISCIPLINE
"Brother Stephen complained of not having his writing class regularly as he said the lamp was not good." COUNCIL OF DISCIPLINE, June 17, 1846
"That Boarders should not be whipped any longer." Feb. 23, 1852
"Up at 4:30, Mass at 5:30 every day of the week." Jan. 26, 1857
"The table-of-shame punishment shall not be inflicted in future except as a last resort." January 17, 1859
"Professors not allowed to smoke in public." COUNCIL OF DISCIPLINE, October 12, 1862
"Professors should refrain from entering saloons and groceries or any place which would lower their own dignity or that of the institution."
"Professors should be back at 9:00 p.m. and have their lights out."
"Punishments: detention at the after dinner recreation for three days, breakfast on bread and water at the side table for the same time, for having remained away from the college on Friday night without permisison -- same for 'engaging in a fist fight.'" 1860
"class which passed best exams, given a prize and invited with four runners-up to attend an oyster supper with the faculty." January 29, 1861
"To encourage work, students were given 'bon-points' worth 5 cents, 10 cents, etc. up to $1. At the end of the month students bought at auction religious pictures, books, etc."
"Father Hallinan said a lock-up has an excellent effect in Georgetown and Mt. St. Mary's."
"Professor Belcke said there were prisons also at Cambridge, Hallinan believed there ones at Yale and Brown . . . ." MINUTES OF FACULTY MEETING, 1863, 68. p. 11
"Proposed that hereafter no student should be received who could not present a certificate of good conduct from a responsible person" . . . . 1865
"Brother Benoit complained of the negligences of Professors, and received the usual answer." FACULTY MEETING, Feb. 17, 1865
"The extreme punishment next to expulsion borrows its sharpness from the same exciting motive -- a seat on a stool in the center of the room at the Table of Shame, is a degradation to which few prove callous." 1865
"Lights out at 10:00."
"Reading at supper dispensed with. Only a short passage from the 'New Testament' read". SCHOLASTIC, 13: 5, 1874
"All Mission Brothers and teachers during vacation should apply for leave of absence from the premises to the Very Reverend Provincial (Corby)." PROVINCIAL CHAPTER, 1896
Council of Prefect of Discipline: "Father Gouesse, President; Brother Gatian, Secretary, Brothers Francis de Sales, Bernard, Bennet (Benedict), Justin, Marie (Francis Xavier), Augustus, Stephen."
"The Council of the Brothers employed in keeping good order and cleanliness in the college, and in overlooking (Prefecting) the Boarders resolved to meet every Saturday at one o'clock in the afternoon."
"The Council of Professors shall be asked whether the Boarders must eat (lunch) at 4:00 p.m." January 30, 1844
"The Overseer (Prefect of the study) must never leave the study-room to accompany the Boarders anywhere, for those who want them must accompany them; another Brother may accompany them."
"Valentine and Clement shall take their recreation with the Brothers after supper." March 2, 1844
" . . . . . The Council decided . . . . that Brother Charles should draw up a list of Brothers and others to read for them (the Boarders) at supper, viz., L'Etourneau and Steber." October 11, 1844
"Drinking water during Class: Master must not easily allow their pupils to drink during class." COUNCIL OF PROFESSORS, Jan. 3, 1845
"Mr. Gouesse again exhorted the overseers (prefects) to be exact in giving him their daily notes." October 26, 1845
"Brother Francis de Sales asked whether he should punish those who place their elbows on the tables and it was answered not to be hard on them on that account." October 14, 1846
"Mr. Coquillard may be allowed to lose his time during the remainder of the year." COUNCIL OF PROFESSORS, July 1, 1846
"Next Friday the boys may be allowed to go to bed at 8:00 that they may not assist at the play." COUNCIL OF PROFESSORS
"Brother Gatian asked how long Mr. Coquillard should be allowed to dictate rules to Notre Dame du Lac . . . . Mr. C. should be treated as any other boy and he should not be allowed to see his ma except for good conduct." April 15, 1846
"There must be another table made for the refectory and Brother Mary (Francis Xavier) will be president. Messers. Kilroy, T. Lafontaine, M. Dowling and Richardville shall be sent to the new table." Nov. 4, 1846
Council abolished in 1847.
"The Brothers who are professors are allowed to go into the Boarder's yard when they desire to make a private correction to their pupils; but they must give notice of it to the president of the recreation." COUNCIL OF PROFESSORS, Sept. 1, 1844
"Prefects complain of the small punishments. Council couldn't suggest any besides those already in the rules, and the two following:
1. pupils may be deprived of their tea;
2. their good points may be taken from them"
COUNCIL OF PROFESSORS, October 29, 1846
"1. All students attend religious exercises. Mass on Sundays and Wednesdays.
2. Silence except during recreation.
3. No visiting private rooms.
4. No smoking or drinking.
5. No leaving grounds without permission
6. No carrying of money, except from Treasurer on Wednesday at 9:00. 7. No 'Certificate of good conduct' of 'Improvement in class'. (1st. Wed. of month.)
8. Table of Honor in the Junior and Senior refectories presided over by the Vice-President and President of Discipline; at them 22 students for good conduct during week; elected by unanimous vote of professors and prefects.
9. Baths once a week; in summer, two in the lake.
10. Studies revoked on Sunday and Wednesday, a.m. for personal neatness.
11. Stationery twice a week for Seniors; once to Juniors.
12. Detention room for bad boys during recreation or promenades.
13. Readers stand in refectory. Each one a day at breakfast, dinner, supper, if good reader. At end of meal boys called used to explain.
14. All must write home once a month. Letters corrected." 1867-8
"Silence regulation dropped." (Juniors: 13-17; Seniors: 17 and up) 1873
No complete list of discipline regulations in force prior to 1863-4 has been preserved.
Paternal instinct of the University shown also French tradition of strict control and order in daily life still strong.
"Premiums for politeness, diligence, neatness abolished. Now that 100's of young men of good education congregate at Notre Dame, rewards for . . . . . are no longer in accordance withour progress and the standing in the University." June 19, 1869
"The students shall be allowed to speak at noon in the refectories on Wednesdays and Sundays." September 6, 1872
"Lovers of the weed" were given a smoking room in 1873 . . . .SCHOLASTIC, 7:12, 92
List of rules for students in 1876. SCHOLASTIC, 12:2, 33
See under "Schedule"