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On Wednesday, February 1st, San Saba Scottish Rite Club will be traveling to the University of Texas at Austin to visit Scottish Rite Dormitory for Women. Members will meet at the Lodge Hall in San Saba and carpool, leaving at 11:00 a.m. Scottish Rite Masons are reminded to bring their regalia and caps. The tour will begin at 1:00 p.m. and will last approximately 2 hours. The membership will then attend the monthly stated meeting at the Austin Scottish Rite Temple.

The Idea

It is hard to believe today, but student housing at college campuses in Texas was almost non existent until the early 1900s. In fact, it was frowned upon. A reflection of the times appeared in the Texas State Board of Education Report for 1880-1881, which stated that "university funds should not be vested in building dormitories or college commons for students." It argued that boarding houses would be more favorable. However, as more women began to attend college at UT, it became apparent that suitable housing was needed. Some of the well known and outstanding Masons of the early century were familiar with the problems at UT and were concerned that their own daughters, sons and grandchildren should have satisfactory housing. In the early 1920s, Scottish Rite Masons were serving on the UT Board of Regents and put forth a plan to provide for a "wholesome moral environment with associations and influences of home life with additions to its comforts and conveniences." Enter Samuel P. Cochran.Sam P. Cochran was a Dallas businessman and civic leader who was instrumental in organizing the Dallas Scottish Rite Cathedral, a home for aged Masons in Arlington, and the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Crippled Children. He was also president of the Texas Scottish Rite Educational Association. In 1920, Cochran asked the Scottish Rite Bodies in Texas to donate the necessary funds to build a dormitory. Under his leadership, the Scottish Rite Masons raised funds for a new women's dormitory at the University of Texas, in Austin. For these and other activities a bronze statue was erected in Cochran's honor on the lawn of the Scottish Rite Cathedral in Dallas.In 1922, the dormitory opened the doors to its present building and the Scottish Rite Dormitory for Women (SRD) was born. The SDR is a colonial revival style building operated by the Scottish Rite Freemasons of Texas and it is located just north of the campus on 27th Street.

Student Life

They were called "Sardines" and the women of the new dorm were expected to comply with all university policies and the social mores of the day. Only three social engagements per week were allowed and a young lady was expected to confer with a chaperone before making a date. All meals were served at the dorm and taking a meal downtown or in a hotel was forbidden.However, despite the strict life-style, the girls were so proud of their new dormitory that the adopted the wearing of armbands to class that displayed the letters "SRD;" From this armband came the term "Sardines" which is still used today and identifies the young women of their dorm. The term also came from the idea, which at the time, referred to the women being housed and "packed in like sardines."One of the original ideas that the girls implemented was the publication of a dormitory yearbook, called "The Sardine." This publication was produced each year until the 1950s.In 1924, Memorial Stadium was built at UT. The fund-raising began on campus as students were anxious to have their new facility. The first and largest amount pledged from any group came from the SRD residents. They pledged $1,500, which was to be paid in five years. The first payment was made when, by vote of the girls, no supper was to be served one night of the week and the money saved was turned over to the stadium fund. Many of the girls also gave $3.00 of their room deposit toward the sum.One of the choice jobs on campus is becoming one of the staff waiters. This position is open to male students of the university. After all, there is no better way for a young man to become so personally acquainted with so many girls at one time. Over the years many friendships have developed and even some marriages resulted as a result of the waiter staff. The student waiter staff tradition still exists to this day.Today the SRD building with its spacious halls and unique appearance is on the National Register of Historic Places. Since its origin the SRD has relaxed its entry requirements somewhat, but is still well-known among UT students for its strict rules against male visitors.As per the Charter, Scottish Rite Dormitory was built to provide a home-like atmosphere for the young women attending The University of Texas at Austin. It is one of the most sought after student housing dorms at UT. Each year SRD is filled to capacity (over 300) with many on a waiting list for entry to the dorm beginning in high school or earlier.

So you think you know Texas?

What does the Scottish Rite, the University of Texas, and a German WWI cannon have in common?In the next article an explanation will be provided.