In 1915, the Faculty of Arts at the University of Manitoba began appointing a senior stick and a lady stick. The faculty chose two students, one male and one female, out of the incoming senior class for the honour of being senior stick. The senior stick would act as the head of the arts student body and represent it in its dealings with the faculty. It is believed that the title "Senior Stick" originated out of the custom of presenting each appointee with a cane. In 1975, the faculty dropped the title of "Lady Stick" and instead allowed women to run for senior stick. Faculty of Arts students continue to elect a senior stick.