University of Chicago - Cap and Gown Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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THE UNIVERSITY itlistorical Sketch of the Hbresent llblan of Stuoeut QI3QEtlli3HflOTI URING the autumn of 1908 the members of the Junior and Senior Councils came to feel that these bodies were not as effective as they ought to be in fostering vigorous conditions of undergraduate student life. Accordingly they appointed a committee to consider what could be done to improve matters. This committee, upon taking up the problem, came to the conclusion that the entire principle of student organization was unsatisfactory for the peculiar conditions which exist at the University of Chicago. They urged that the residential features of the college plan had never been developed and that in consequence the social advantages of that system had been lost, whereas the advantages of a class system had been put out of reach. Vtfithout a change in these fundamental conditions no betterment seemed probable. Upon reporting to this effect the committee was empowered to proceed to the devising of a plan which might remedy the faults extant in the old arrangements. After consulting a number of students and members of the faculty the committee suggested that a joint com- mission be appointed made up of representatives of the faculty and of the student body, This suggestion was approved by the President, who appointed Professors Lovett, Slaught and Angell to represent the faculty and Miss Slaught, Mr. McCracken and Mr. Vlfhitheld to represent the student Councils. Mr. Alvin Kramer, although not a member of the Council at this time, was asked to serve with the commission, and rendered valuable assistance. This commission, after a careful study of the situation, drew up and submitted to the factulty a plan in many respects similar to that now in operation. As no serious opposition developed, it was expected that the scheme would be submitted to the students for approval in the autumn. VVhen the fall quarter opened President Judson expressed some doubt concerning the wisdom of certain features of the program. and. in order that the utmost care might be accorded the project before it was put in force, he appointed another commission, consisting of the same faculty members who had served on the previous commission texcept Professor Lovett, who was out of residencel and the following students: Miss Caroline Dickey. Miss Edith Prindeville, Messrs. J. I. Pegues, VV. P. Henry, A. L. Fridstein, I. E. Dymond, R. W. Baird. The new commission canvassed the whole case afresh, and, after numerous revisions, drew up the present plan. As it made no essential changes in the principles already dis- cussed by the faculty, it was not again submitted to that body. On November 23, 1909, it was ratified by the undergraduate students, who expressed their approval by a vote of S04 to 104. Having been now endorsed by all the interested parties, it was at once put in operation by the President, who, in accordance with its provisions, appointed a temporary Council to control the division elections and to serve until regular successors should be elected in Feb- ruary, 1910. L It appears clearly from this ZlCCOl11J.LfOf the movement that the present plan emanated from the students themselves in response to a spontaneous sentiment that undergraduate enterprises were in a needlessly inactive condition. It must be borne in mind that the pro- visions of the plan affect solely the social relations of the students to one another and not their official relations to the University. As far as possible the student body is made respon- sible fer the conduct of its own affairs. JAMES R. ANGELL. 9

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