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

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The Main Building

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THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS T HE University of Arkansas has been in past years the least understood institution in the State. And even now the ignorance of some people in the State in regard to it is something appalling. In fact a great many do not realize what a fine school it is. By some it has been estimated as being on the same footing as the other colleges of the State, when it really outranks them by far. By others rumors have been started that our students are wild and reckless, and that often rowdyism prevails. I am glad to state that now this ignorance can mostly be blamed upon the past. For these wrong impressions are fast passing away, and our University is rapidly finding its proper place in the hearts of the citizens of Arkansas. So let us hope that great good will be derived from this fact. We want the people of Arkansas to become so interested that public opinion will cause our State General Assembly to give the University the proper support and encouragement, as is received by other state universities of the same rank. So to the point, I shall endeavor to give you a brief sketch of the University. SITUATION The situation of the University of Arkansas has been a great source of discussion, especially during the last two years. Some argue that the University is located entirely too far from the central part of the State. Also that they can send their children to schools in other states cheaper than at home. On the other hand it is claimed that the State has no right to move it after having made a contract; and that such a proceeding would be illegal. But let us leave the settlement of this question to the statesmen of Arkansas. As it is the University proper is situated tn the northwestern part of the State at Fayetteville. As for its surroundings, it nestles among the Ozark Mountains. The scenery is picturesque and beautiful, and the climate is excellent. In short all Nature furnishes aid to the growing mind. Fayetteville is a city of about five thousand inhabitants, an ideal place for a college town. It is a prohibition town, and offers very few allurements to the wayward boy. As for the people of Fayetteville, they are entirely in harmony with the University. The Medical and Law Departments are situated at Little Rock, while the Branch Normal is at Pine Bluff.

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The greatest need of the University at present is a good gymnasium. We hope now that the present General Assembly will grant an appropriation for this cause; and it will be a crime if it does not, for the time has long since passed when vesical training was regarded as a thing unworthy of consideration. The prospects are unusually bright for track athletics this year. We hope to have a field day meet with Missouri School of Mines and Drury College, and we know that this will give impetus to this branch of athletics. THE MILITARY DEPARTMENT The Military Department is a very important feature of the University. In this republican government of ours very little stress is placed upon a standing army; so in time of war a volunteer army of raw recruits is mustered, and it naturally takes a long time before it is thoroughly disciplined and ready to cope successfully with trained soldiery. So what an advantage it would be to the United States if as many citizens as possible had a knowledge of military science. To be sure military practice becomes very monotonous, but certainly it is worth while. This department is under the supervision of the United States Government. Our equipments are very good. This year we have five companies of about fifty men each; our cadet band ranks second to none io the State. STUDENT BODY The student body of the University of Arkansas will compare favorably with that of any college. As in all schools, we have different types of students. The “grind,’’ who confines himself so closely to his books that he takes very little interest in other school affairs, but at present this class is the exception, for there are very few students in school who would not cut a class to take part in a class fight, or even to witness one. There is one type of student that the University of Arkansas can gladly say she has not, and that is the wealthy “slob,” for truly ours is no rich man’s school, and surely we can say that our students are in reality free and equal. But we regret to say that we have a few “slobs” of another nature. Let us assign to this