Formerly, the different sororities spent too much time and money on their formals. It was suggested by some “frat” girls to form a compact in order to cut down expenses. All the sororities, with one exception, agreed to have their formal parties limited to the following restrictions:
1. The hall shall be rented for not more than twenty-five dollars.
$657.89 in 2013 dollars. That's pretty interesting.
2. There shall be no wall or ceiling decorations and no palms. Pillows and rugs and subdued lights may be used if desired. A society banner may be hung on the wall.
3. The programmes shall be folders, without an inner sheet or pencils.
What if there were many to honor at the Formal? Have programme A and programme B? 
4. The music shall consist of not more than five pieces.
With popular songs of the day being fairly short....I forsee a very monotonous event. Certainly doesn't say anything about repetition! 
5. Refreshments shall not be more than coffee, sandwiches, olives, pickles and frappe served during the evening.
Again....no specification on how many of each or type of each was allowed. 
Reprinted from
The Eleusis of Chi Omega, Vol. Five, Number One, February, 1903, pp. 97-98