In 1874, Old Man Lyle developed the demerit and credit system called the “worklist.” Infractions included everything from a missing uniform button or dirty hands during military inspection to swiping a piece of fruit from a teacher’s favorite tree. Credits had negotiable value, and students could purchase them from each other until 1925.
Bob Lamborn recalled that the Commandant decided if the infractions were valid and assigned demerits. Boys worked off the demerits by doing menial tasks (raking leaves, sweeping walks and halls) during athletics and on weekends. As the School grew there were more boys and more demerits to be worked off. Instead of doing tasks, boys could work off the demerits by doing “walking tours” around the circle in front of Old Main 15 times. With so many boys running/walking in circles, it was hard to keep track of their laps. The punishment was changed, and the boys were required to run to the railroad station, pick up a slip from the officer stationed there, and present it upon their return to campus.
