Curfew hours for women had been liberalized somewhat, and women could stay out until midnight. There were stringent requirements, however, about signing out. Seventeen women who failed to sign out properly for a weekend in the mountains were punished by the Administrative Council by being required to be in their dormitory rooms by 6:30 p.m., not being allowed to attend any social functions, and being required to resign from any elective or honorary positions. Their appeal of the punishment did not result in reversal. Many students protested. Seven hundred students signed a petition deploring the punitive action, and when the Administrative Council stood firm, students made signs protesting the harsh punishment and placed them in campus buildings and at businesses near the campus.