University of Texas Austin - Cactus Yearbook (Austin, TX)

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s mostly good, partly bad, and too often noisy. As a rule, he is painfuUy ignorant, and perhaps the great- est names of science, of literature, and of art are to him as if they were not. He has not enough knowl- edge to place himself or his university m the scheme of things. At times he wishes to imitate other colle- gians, but does n. t Imow exactly how; again he defies all conventions— sometimes a healthful sign. He de- mands that he be treated as a man in matters of dis- cipline, while too often his conduct is that of a wilful chUd He is voluble in criticisms, wise and unwise, of every thing and every body. In other words, the average student is whoUy without perspective, and his judgment in things at all remote, is worth little or nothing This is not his fault, it is his lack of train- ing Wlien the opportunity is offered, feeling in some vague way his deficiencies, he studies with avidity. All who have taught in our University, though lament- ing much the lack of preparation of the students, yet commend in the highest terms their great earnest- ness And this wih some day make them leaders. One word more of comment. We do not use our hbrary enough, and when we do use it, we do not always read the right books. The current magazine often hides the row of masterpieces behind. For this there is, of course, much excuse. The lazy stud- ent does n.rt want, n n- can the industrious one find time to devote much energy to subjects other than his courses We are sadly in need of a Professor of Things in General, who, among other things, would inspire in us a love for the best books. We must learn to use good books, foUowing no one slavishly, but adding our mvn comments as befits a thinking being. 10

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Things in G eneral ftj ' iolci»y tea. N THINtiS matcvial the Uni- versity Ki ' ows apace, and in numbers ' shall soon be as the ocean sands. Texas is fast awakening to her need of thinys mtcllectual, both hu- manistic and technical. It is the hope of all who love the University that she will res- pond most nobly to this press- ing need of the State that gave her birth. She should always bear m mind that increased opportunities from the State mean increased responsibilities to the State. Regents and students, president and facult.v should never forget this fact. We must be worthy of the prosperity that is so surely coming upon us. The true greatness of a university is not at all measured by many buildings and great revenues, but by the characters of those who go forth into the world after ccmtact with her social and intellectual life. She should be a mother of the Gracclii. It is the duty of her faculty to show to the students the spirit of lit- erature and the method of science, to develop clear thinking and correct taste, to foster a love for intel- lectual honesty and sanity; but the students them- selves must largely create the social atmos phere and point of view that characterize the institution. Of all the influences that envelop the young student none aie more subtle and powerful than these; they affect him in a thousand ways. Socially there is much to commend at the Uni- versity. Exclusiveness based on money or other facti- tious circumstances finds but small favor. Owing to the increase in numbers.the students are segregating into groups, but there is a sort of inevitableness about such a process. The merits of any one are (juickly ri ' cognized, as are also faults, and intellectual strength and achievement are admired even as atliletic prowess, though in a less conspicuous wa.v. Sound friendships are formed here and merit wins its way, despite the fact that we are much given to ring politics and are not as iuick to cheer the fine play of the opposing team as we ought to be. Lack of proper student or- ganization stiU prevents the sober opinion of the insti- tuti(m finding free expressi(m and we suffer some- what in being often judged by sporadic ac-tions and utterances of irresponsible individuals. One can hardly say that, as yet, the student body of the University of Texas has a point of view. It is merely a bundle of good and bad notions and preju- dices. There is nothing very distinctive about Uni- versity of Texas men, other than the traits pecuhar to Texans. Indeed, the average student who comes to the University arrives with very vague noticms of the world and of academic ideals. He soon becomes patriotic and often overflows with a college spirit that 15

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