In the interest of fostering a sense of pride for Hamilton College’s past, and to connect this past with Hamilton’s present and future,

The Spectator

has decided to re-publish a collection of archived articles.

This article was originally published on Dec. 8, 1972. Seemingly, not much has changed since these newsboy-hat-wearing first-years managed to break ceiling tiles, windows, and even street lights, using only snowballs. Hopefully this sends a message to today’s first-years; if you’re going to damage Dunham’s ceiling tiles, at least be creative about it. But, expect some serious fines from Hamilton, too.

What apparently began as an all-freshman snowball fight got out of hand last Friday night, Dec. 1, and vandals caused some 650 dollars [about $3,775 today] damage to furnishings and fixtures in Dunham Dormitory.

Hamilton Dean of Students R. Gordon Bingham reported that Exit signs, ceiling tiles, ceiling light fixtures, and windows were broken, in addition to damage to buildings near Dunham. At the Registrar’s Office, two pillars were broken; in Commons, light fixtures were damaged, and a window was broken in Bristol. A campus street light was also broken, and students were seen throwing pieces of broken ceiling tile through Dunham windows.

Through the freshman advisors, Dean Bingham threatened the entire class with a fine of ten dollars apiece [about $58 today] if the culprits did not come to him before Fri. Dec. 8. He said that about twelve people were involved; most of these have either been reported or have turned themselves in.