Sophomore Petition (Georgia School of Technology)

This petition consists of a single oversized sheet of paper on which members of the sophomore class at Georgia Tech wrote a petition asking to be permitted to remove their coats during classroom work. Citing the "discomfort occasioned by wearing a heavy garment during several consecutive hours of blackboard work," the sophomores indicate that "such discomfort interferes with the best mental effort." They also state their belief that being dressed without coats will not display a lack of discipline or slovenliness. The petition is signed by numerous members of the sophomore class as well as representatives from other classes.

The Faculty Minutes (UA317) for 23 May 1908 include, "Requests: Sophomore Class to be allowed to remove their coats in the Class Rooms. Laid on the table one week." The official outcome of the petition is not noted in the Faculty Minutes. The only other mention in that resource is on 29 May 1908, "Conduct: The Sophomore Class came into Physics lecture without their coats and were told to put them on. They did this grudgingly." However, even after May 1908, the student and faculty/instructor regulations (UA372) continued to include this statement, "For all academic class-room work students are required to wear their coats."