Student life at RPI

Much of student life at RPI revolved around sports, dances and other social events, and the interaction students had on campus. Before Shafer Street was closed to automobile traffic, many students congregated in front of Ginter House, then called the Administration Building. Fraternities and sororities were not allowed at RPI. In their place other student-led organizations, including the German Club and the Circle K Club, formed to promote the kinds of activities that Greek organizations at VCU do today. These student organizations sponsored concerts, dances, outings, and other social activities on campus and around the city during the school year.

RPI students participated in many student organized dances at different Richmond venues during the course of a school year. The German Club Dance (above), Byrd Hotel, 1955, and the Cotillion Club Dance, John Marshall Hotel, 1955.

Mr. Dooley, shown here in 1964 on the steps of the men’s dorm at 712 W. Franklin St., was “keeper of the RPI Spirit.” From 1954 to 1966 a member of the men’s dorm dressed as the ghost of Mr. Dooley, ushering in a week of campus wide hijinks culminating in his unmasking and a school dance.

Rat Week at RPI involved good humor hazing by juniors of freshman - many of them wearing school beanies. This image shows Rat Week activities in Shafer Court, 1961.

RPI students hanging out on the “wall” in front of Ginter House, 1954.

An RPI men’s dormitory at 928 Park Ave., 1968.

An RPI women’s dormitory at 818 Park Ave., 1955.