University of Arkansas Fayetteville - Razorback Yearbook (Fayetteville, AR)

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the foot-hills of the Ozarks, where crystal streams murmur over rock)’ beds, and there are even waterfalls by which ambitious orators can practice, and doubtless develop into greater speakers than Demosthenes. The wild flowers grow luxuriantly in every dell; the soil is as fertile as that of the Nile; the women fair as Helen of Troy. It is the land of the “big red apple and the clover blossom.” However beautiful a place may be, there is no place like home; and it is not to be wondered at that the boys from beyond the mountains begin, as vacation approaches, to long for the land of the cotton and the cane. To those residing in the northern part of the State, no beauty is comparable to the dark-eyed, passionate darlings of the mountain ; but men’s aesthetic tastes differ ; others’ thoughts revert to the dreamy-eyed belles of the plain. System of Government It is the aim of the faculty to give as much freedom to the students as is compatible with the best interests of the University. To teach one to govern himself is the best instruction that can be given. The honor system in class-room and on examinations is relied upon, and in most cases is very satisfactory. Trust begets trust, and it is safe to say that those professors who believe in the honor of their students never have their confidence abused. The regulations are few and simple, but are like the law of the Medes and Persians. A student is required to attend his classes and lectures, chapel and drill regularly ; further, his time is his own. Examinations tell whether he has used it well. Woe! if he has not. There is a half-flunk law now. Thou shalt not break ancient Reg. 50. The sceptic who transgresses this commandment many times will surely be “fired.” The honor system breeds a high-toned and manly sentiment. Courage and honor are universally esteemed ; meanness is despised and made contemptible ; an unwritten code of honor deals equitably with all. Student Life Seven hundred students from as many homes and localities have necessarily various characteristics. Here there are, roughly, three distinct classes, intellectually and morally. First, there is the “grind,” who lives for himself and to himself, has no sociability, buries himself in a book and never peeps out to ask a friend if his vaccination took; too absorbed to indulge in a little innocent flirtation in the corridor (when no professor is to be seen). Such a fellow never “cuts” a class. He goes through college generally with honors, but has little appreciation of what it means. He has never had time to make a friend, never has known what good fellows his associates were. He enters life, if not a mental wreck, at least with a morose disposition. He does not inspire others to enter college; they will rather shun a place that makes such disagreeable citizens. Secondly, there is the “happy-go-lucky” class, who never dreamed of a purpose or a responsibility in life. They are devout believers that the Lord knows His own and will take care of them. They let each day take care of itself, and have no thought of the morrow. They are bubbles on the stream of time, and just as useless. Fortunately both classes mentioned are small. The third class, and it is numerous, is a happy medium between the above. In this class are all those jolly fellows who support the college publications, athletics, etc. They have “a voice of gladness and a mild and healing sympathy” for the new student who is homesick a pleasant greeting for everyone, are 13

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University of Arkansas—Main Building

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perfectly willing to help a lower class man with a knotty problem in Math., or a difficult Latin construction. They have been known to be present at sub-Fresh elections and banquets. They never refuse an invitation to a reception, and sometimes even go out with Hallowe’en marauders. The greater number of these pass with creditable grades, but if they do fail on one study, all the sunshine does not fade from the heavens. They only contract pleasure and expand study, thereby completing their course in the usual length of time; and are able to see the bright side of life. They are the kind of fellows that are envied, the ones we like to call our friends. The moral character is just as varied, but here, too, the majority are good, honorable boys who will wrong no one, but do not object to a little harmless amusement. There are a few, very few, who have no very high appreciation of others’ rights. They are “the autocrats of the lunch baskets.” It is not to be wondered at, for when a parent has a child he can do nothing with at home, he sends it to college to get rid of it. When such a student comes with arrogance and weakness, strength of will without strength of judgment, force of appetite without force of intellect, it is impossible for the college to regenerate him. On the whole, the student atmosphere is congenial. Some have foibles, idiosyncrasies, crazes. The kodak fiend is the latest. Dudes and flirts are extinct. There is a plaster of Paris cast of each specimen in the museum that some antiquarian, searching ’mid the wrecks of time, unearthed. The student is valued for his sterling worth ; nothing else. If he dresses decently and acts a man, he is received by all. Athletics Athletics in some form has come into the college to stay. For better or for worse, it must be retained. To hear college students talk, one would think that the modern curriculum comprises only a crew, a nine and a foot ball team. The world does not care to hear of our intellectual feats, so, thoughtful as we are, we do not tire them with our learning. The former hump-backed bow-legged, consumptive college man has passed away; in his place is a robust, healthy, strong-limbed, alert personage. The old “howl” that too much time is given to sports, thereby lowering scholarship, has no foundation. Intellectual power has kept pace with physical strength. Students are no longer content with merely “pulling through;” even a foot ball player is not excused. The average scholarship is now several per cent, higher than in the time of the peroxide-complexioned graduate. There exists here an athletic association, which includes foot ball, base ball, tennis, a track team The interest in this line is increasing. Lately a park has been completed, and an effort is on foot to procure a well equipped gymnasium. The young ladies already have one. “A Southern gentleman never envies a lady, however. ’ ’ The Arkansas University Gymnasium for Young Women was established less than two years ago, but so rapid has been its growth that we have to-day the most completely equipped gymnasium in the South. Emerson says: “The ancestor of every action is thought.” Based upon psychological principles and physiological laws, the physical culture course is adapted from the best of the different systems. The Swedish 14