Miami University - Recensio Yearbook (Oxford, OH)

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Grey Gables, built in 1930 and construction of the University bought by the university in 1957, Center, it was moved 'to its originally stood at the corner of present location where it houses the Admissions Office. Spring and Patterson. Prior to the The Slant Walk originally ended at Northeast and Southeast Halls, where Miami students lived dur- ing the days of Old Miami. Between 1880 and 1890, Miami's faculty was called the Dude Fac- ulty. These men brought a bit of scandal to the campus, for they were rumored to have danced in every capital of Europe. Even though they earned their degrees at Princeton and Yale, their social reputation was greater than their academic reputation. A LIBERAL ARTS In 1824, Miami began its first year of college instruction. The curriculum was strictly classical, consisting of Greek, Latin, algebra, modern geography, and Roman history. Students recited their lessons in class and spent long afternoons preparing them. By the next year it was realized that may students were interested in training for more practical professions. Miami decided to offer a course of study leading to certification instead of a degree. Run by the newly created English Scientific Department, the curriculum offered applied mathematics, modern language, and political economy. By this time students were receiving a smattering of botany and geology lectures, and a few lessons in English composition. Professor McFarland introduced practical engineering and astronomy. But most of the students' time was still spent reciting the classics. In an attempt to bolster enrollment in the 1870's, President Hepburn liberalized the academic organization. Written examinations replaced the previously oral tests. An English Language and Literature Department was added. Still enrollment dropped, and in 1873 Miami closed its doors. When Miami reopened in 1885, the old curriculum was noticably outdated. President Thompson re-established the BS. degree, and again made modern language an option. The departmental honors program that is still in use today was established. A Normal School for women was established in 1902. The college was integrated with the regular university. Only the methods courses were separate. The William McGuffey Lab School was established to provide experience for those in the Normal School. Celebrating the 100th anniversary of college instruction, President Hughes set forth his program for the school's second century. It called for the retention of personal relationships between students and faculty, and gave ample provisions for superior students. Hughes felt it necessary to emphasize spiritual values over material things. Miami University was the first school to develop a tradition of the artist-in-residence, that was soon a

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curriculum, transplanted from the East was Miami's first Greek organization. Miami reacted by becoming the home of three new fraternities within a few years, thereby establishing its own Greek tradition and earning the name Mother of Fraternities. Thus, not only did Miami fail to receive support from Eastern colleges, Miami reinterpreted the transplanted Eastern heritage. Another factor that makes Miami a school with strong traditions is that the people who built and attended the early school believed in it. Miami had difficulty opening. A grammar school was started in 1811, but Miami did not open as a full college until 1824. Even then, finances were shaky. For a variety of reasons, the school was forced to close in 1873, and it did not open again until 1885. The STRONG The college of Old Miami .con- sisted of three buildings; Harri- son, Elliot and Stoddard Halls. administrators, faculty, students, and alumni who supported Miami throughout its years of difficulty grew to love the school. Consequently, they expressed their beliefs by establishing traditions 1. traditions which reflected Miami's peculiar situation. Russian Jews and Miami University are not so different as one might think. Each group has a history which defines what it means to be a member of that group today. Like those associated with Judaism, those associated with Miami should investigate their heritage and learn their traditions. For a knowledge of the school's heritage certainly adds to the meaning of being a member of the Miami community. By Forrest Houlette TPAD TION With the demolition of the last tower of Old Harrison Han, wheels began turning for the con- struction of the present day Harri- son Hall. y i '2 E. i g '2 1;

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APPROACH national trend. In 1920, President Hughes appointed Percy MacKaye as working poet to be supported entirely by the university. The position had no obligations or teaching duties; its sole purpose was to support the creation of art. Alfred Upham became president in 1929, bringing with him the desire to keep Miami unified and personal. He established the adviser system to give students a personal relationship with the faculty. Separate schools were created for Fine Arts and Business Administration in order to keep their organization small and personal. During World War 11, Miami prepared enlisted personnel by providing. programs in radio training and flight training. War emergency courses, including map-reading and first aid, were offered to all students. In the summer of 1953, Miami University Abroad scheduled its first European tour, a season of travel and study which could be used for credit. The idea caught on, and in 1968 Miami opened its branch in Luxembourg. President Millett felt the need to insure all Miami's students a broad base of knowledge. In 1953, he established the Common Curriculum, Which laid down With the turn of the century Miami became CO-educational. Here, two of the original coeds study for an exam. Miami used to have a 27 member board of trustees which controlled the school's affairs. Between 1965 and 1968 state laws gradually re- duced the number of members to nine. general requirements for all divisions to keep students from specializing too narrowly. Later, the CC was modified to become the University Requirement. The most welcome change in requirements in Miami's history was the removal of the phys-ed requirement in 1969. Surprisingly, the result was an increase in this department's enrollment. To keep from losing students, the department had added new courses in bicycling, hiking, and self-defense. The university soon had to place a limit on phys-ed credits. In the last 20 years, Miami has experimented with new teaching methods, has developed the innovative Graduate and Undergraduate Fellowship Programs, has experimented with trimester and quarter calendars, and has set up the interdisciplinary Western Program. Last year Miami was accredited full status as a mature university, responsible only to itself in insuring the quality of the university program, - Janice Gott