October 6, 1966
Disagreement over birth control questionnaire
(Date is for when it was reported in the Sophian)
The Amherst Student (Amherst College’s student newspaper) circulated a questionnaire at Smith and Mount Holyoke on birth control. However, the student reporter did not go through the established administrative channels to administer the poll at Smith, so it was taken out of circulation, prompting his criticism of President Mendenhall, who he said did not want to know the results. The same problem occurred at Mount Holyoke. Massachusetts state law at the time forbid the distribution of birth control information and devices, which the questionnaire asked about. In its October 13th edition, the Sophian reprinted an October 7th editorial from the Mt. Holyoke News on the issue.
Dean Confiscates Birth Control Poll; Questionnaires Require Approval
(Opinion Page) Spurred By Amherst Birth Control Poll Students Seek Voice In Policy Making
[Last updated on October 12, 2018]