The University of Florida in the year 1920 A.D.:

Student Government at the University of Florida was established via a Student Plebiscite on the subject in 1920 by a vote of 110-92. The early anti-SG sentiment argued that "students were unfit to govern and that it would be a 'spy system' for the faculty." (University Archives) 

Some other descriptions about the University of Florida in 1920 A.D.:
 

• The student body also elected the editor and the manager of the Florida Alligator..
• The Alligator was a weekly and was printed in the basement of Peabody Hall on Saturday night. 
• President Murphree had his new office on the top floor of Anderson Hall--previously Presidents were housed in Thomas Hall at the Old University now known as the Murphree Area. 
• The Library was in Peabody Hall.
• The Infirmary was in a wooden structure built as barracks during World War I 
• The Florida State Museum occupied part of Flint Hall.
• Cows grazed in fields just north of Newell Hall.
• Anderson Hall was called "Language Hall"
• Bryan Hall was the College of Law (The scales of Justice are still on the Building's Façade)
• Flint Hall was called "Science Hall"
• Newell Hall was the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station--and behind it were acres of farmland used for test crops such as Pineapple
• Griffin-Floyd Hall was the College of Agriculture
• Co-eds would not be admitted fully for another 27 years
• Tuition was $0 and would remain so for decades
• Total yearly expenses for each student were estimated at $245
• The Student Body was a 630 students large
• Students raised in rural settings without public education could enter the University through examination
• The attrition rate was 2/3's (only 100 of the 300 freshmen in 1921 returned as sophomores)
• Hazing was everywhere--if you were a freshman (or 'Rat') you were hazed, greek or independent, whether you liked it or not
• Freshmen had to wear their "Rat caps" for most of the year, a small beanie-like cap that had school colors on it, unless the "Fightin' Florida Gators" beat the Georgia Bulldogs--and in those days, Georgia always won
• Freshmen could take their caps off for good only if they beat the Sophomores at a "Capture the Flag" game called the "Frosh-Soph brawl" which took place outside of Thomas Hall.
• Freshmen had to memorize the complete roster for the Fightin' Gator varsity football team, and recite it whenever asked by an upperclassmen (Called an "Old Man").  They also had to tip their caps (salute) whenever an 'old man' walked by.
• All underclassmen (Freshmen and Sophomores) had to be members of the Army ROTC unit and drill on what the Ground now covered by the O'Connell center.
• Chapel attendance was required for all students, except Seniors who were exempted.
• The football team started practice three weeks before the season started and played "Iron Man" football for most of the season, each player playing both offence and defence.
• Average weight of Gator Football player: 178 pounds
• The cheerleaders were men, and there was no stadium
• The Freshmen still had their own football team
• Major rivals to the "Fightin' Gators": Mercer College in Macon Georgia, Army at West Point, and Drake University 
• Fightin' Gator Pitcher Lance Richbourg had just been the first athlete at the University to become professional when he was recruited to the New York Giants in 1919
• The Alma Mater would have to wait for Student Milton C. Yeats to write it in 1925 when he penned the original words:

'Mid Tow'ring pine and palm
Stands dear old Florida,
'Neath balmy Southern Skies
Her Glory Shines a far

Oh Alma Mater dear
We kneel before thy shine
Around thy vine-clad halls
Thou has our hearts entwined

Go forth, ye Florida men!
March on to victory
The Orange and Blue shall ever win--
We cannot conquered be!

Our hearts shall never quail
All hail Florida, hail!

* * *

FLORIDA POETRY--"Come to my Sunland"

Come to my Sunland -- come with me
To the land I love
Where the sun and sea are wed forever
Where palm and pine are filled with singers
where tree and vine are voiced with prophets

--Anonymous (19th Century)