Howard University - Bison Yearbook (Washington, DC)

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I - u- ii L g U- of the greatest needs of the University at present is more space and additional equipment for the Conservatory of Music. With the opening of this administration there was but one department of the University approved by the rating association of America. The School of Medicine was in class A. In the autumn of 1021 the Association of Colleges and Preparatory Schools of the Middle States and Maryland, after most rigid personal investigation, placed the College of Liberal Arts on the approved list. This means that graduates from Howard School of Liberal Arts have the same scholastic standing as graduates from any other tirst-class school in America. In the spring of 1022 the Dental College was registered by the New York State Board of Regents, thus giving it the highest rating. The College of Pharmacy has been given the highest rating with the Pharmacy Board of the State of Ohio. The Law School is now applying for admission to the Association of American Law Schools, with great confidence in the success of its application. Evening classes were mentioned early in the history of Howard. Provisions were at that time made for instruction in elementary and secondary school subjects, and the project was discontinued long ago. During the school year of 1021-22, evening college classes were established, and these have given tremendous impetus to higher education for Negro teachers in the city of Washington. The registration for the first year was 46. It is now about 200. The old two semester system was abolished in 1919 and the quarter system adopted. But the quarter system remained incomplete until 1923. during which year the fourth quarter was added by instituting a summer session which extended from June 25. to August 31. The last big stroke of the present administration was the campaign to raise §250,000 for the medical school. The General Education Board required as a basis for its help that all finances of the School of Medicine be taken over by the general administration of the University and be handled in one office. When this was done, the board pledged the University an endowment of §250,000 for the Medical School on condition that the University would also raise $250,000 by July 1. 1923. The president of the University began a strenuous campaign, and the drive went over the top so far as pledges were concerned. Many of the pledges have been paid already. The question may at some time arise as to whether or not Howard University has justified its existence and the aid that has been given to it. Although fifty-seven years old, it is far too young yet to permit any one to attempt an answer to the question. However, let it suffice to say that Negro education in America would never have reached its present stage without the existence of a Howard University. So, let Howard write a few more pages of her history before we make a very critical reckoning with regard to what she has accomplished, for indeed she has just begun to live. f£

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lY with the immediate government of all the academic departments in matters common to all, subject to the control of the trustees. In February, 1920, the board of trustees voted as follows: “One Trustee may be elected each year from a number recommended by the Alumni Association of the University, such Trustee to automatically retire at the expiration of his term of office.’’ Since the report of the committee no vacancies have occurred: and at present there are eight alumni of Howard serving on the board ol’ Trustees. The buildings and grounds of the University have received careful attention during this administration. A greenhouse was erected in 1919 at a cost of $8,000. In 1921. the Dining Hall Building, with class rooms for the department of Home Economics, was erected at a cost of $30 1.000. Plans are now under way for a new gymnasium and stadium. Howard Hall, the old home of General O. O. Howard, used for many years as a detention house for incorrigible children, has been reclaimed, the old out buildings torn away, and the home restored as a dormitory for girls. In the Main Building, a United States post office has been established, thus serving the postal needs of the faculty and students. Also in the Main Building there has been equipped a Rest Room for girls and one for women teachers and workers. Under the head of “Improvement of grounds, come the following: Reclaiming of the bank overlooking tin Reservoir, formerly a dump for cans and a place for burning rubbish: trees on the campus have been treated twice; large flower beds of rare beauty have l»een placed; plaza and front of Thirkield Science Hall made beautiful, concrete walks anti steps to Sixth Street provided; fence surrounding the lower half of the main campus; unsightly plot of ground on Georgia Avenue changed into a beautiful little park with paths crossing and steps leading up to Sixth street; surroundings of Howard Hall graded and granolithic walk and steps placed; grounds surrounding th School of Music beautified; underground electric lighting system installed with posts and globes like those used in the District of Columbia. For the year 1922-23, an increase of $32,500 over the former appropriation of $10,000 was secured for the purpose of putting the University buildings and grounds in satisfactory condition. A summary of the amounts spent for improvements from July 1. 1919 to December 30. 1922 closes with the statement that $126.-130.59 had been spent. There is one department of the University which has scarcely been mentioned but deserves more than mere passing comment. The department in question is the School of Music. Organized by Miss Lulu Vere Childers in 1909, it began its work in the assembly room of Miner Hall. It very soon outgrew the space there allotted to it and was removed to the basement of the chapel. The limited space there provided for it could serve it only a short while and it was afterwards moved to King Hall, a building situated on Sixth Street and facing the athletic field. There was added another building nearby which has become known as the Conservatory Annex. This department has been given rating on a par with the other schools of the University, and gives the degree of Bachelor of Music. The first degree graduate of the Howard Conservatory of Music was Miss Cornelia Lampion, who graduated in 1917. This department shows a decided attraction lor students in all other departments of the University, for many students working for the various degrees offered by the University are also taking up work in the School of Music. The registration for last year was large enough to yield over $9,000 in student fees. One

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