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Page 29 text:
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@ (Bfance at tt t $a L T is not always safe to say that changes are improvements — that as we drift away from old-time methods and old-time friends we are progress ing. There is an element of pathos in the rushing, bustling spirit of the day — the tendency to disregard old tra- dition and to break away from the conservatism of other days, that touches us strongly ; and as we turn back only a few years, it may be, and see how ruthless time has been in obliterating, in the life of the University, the traces of former days, there comes to us a feeling half pleasure — half pain. It would be sacrilege to say that all the change is indic- ative of progress, for not a small part has come from a difference in conditions and a force of circumstances; it Mould be folly not to admit that much of it is good and will be of lasting and substantial benefit. It is not, however, the purpose of the writer in this article to discriminate between the good and the bad, but as he looks back ten years in the life of the University, and almost for the first time feels himself patriarchal, to show to what extent changes have come. Perhaps the University has changed in no particular more than in the courses of instruction. Only within very recent years has the privilege of electing his studies been accorded to any student. In what is now the College of Literature and Arts, for example, the student in English and Modern Languages was allowed but two elections — a choice of two out of the three sciences, botany, zoology and physiology, and a choice between a term of free hand drawing and a term of cal- culus. It is scarcely necessary to say that in the latter case very little valuable time was lost in making the election. So fully prescribed was the work that the President found it not an impossible task to sit at his desk and issue class cards to individual students as they came, only the irregular or unusual students taking more than a few moments. The number of courses ottered was, especially in the colleges of Literature and Arts and of Science, only a very small per cent, of those from which the student now may choose. The method of instruction, also, now differs very largely from that of a few years ago. Less of text-book work is now done, while considerably more attention is given to lectures, illustrations and outside reading. In the writer ' s five years of college experience, while many reference books were suggested for consulta- tion outside of class-room work, not one of these was he absolutely required to read. A very marked change has come as regards the number of instructors. In 1886 the entire instructional force of the University numbered thirty-four mem- bers, as compared with one hundred in the catalogue of this year . There were then giving instruction in the College of Literature and Arts but thirteen, as com- pared with forty-four this year. The work required from some of these men would to-day seem a little broad, if not a trifle mixed. For example, in the year 25
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Page 30 text:
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which I have mentioned the entire instruction in Greek, political economy, logic and history was given by one man, who, in addition to these and other duties not light, was chief librarian and secretary of the General Faculty. In this same year the entire work of the architectural department was in charge of Prof. Ricker, who was confined to two small rooms on the fourth floor of University Hall; Prof. Shattuck taught all the mathematics offered by the University, and Prof. Pickard taught all the literature and rhetoric, now in charge of five instructors. Yet, somehow, the character of the teaching was high, and all of these details but sug- gest the fact that excellent work is not wholly dependent upon a large faculty and numerous buildings. The increased number of students also testifies to the progress made by the University in the last ten years. The catalogue for 1886 contains the names of but three hundred and thirty-two students, one hundred and seven of whom were members of the preparatory class. But not alone in numbers has the student body made progress. The character of the preparation of those who present themselves has gradually improved, so that it is possible to demand stronger university work. With the increased number of instructors and students has come a corre- sponding increase in the number of buildings and in equipment. Within the last six years there have been erected at the University four large and well-appointed buildings. The first of these, the Military Hall, was completed in May, 1890, the graduating exercises of the class of ' 90 being a part of its dedicatory programme. Previous to the erection of Military Hall, the second floor of Machinery Hall had been used for drill purposes as well as for a gymnasium. Commencement exer- cises were also held here. In 1892 was dedicated Natural History Hall, one of the most beautiful buildings on the campus, and one which has given excellent oppor- tunities for the development of the scientific work of the University. President Angell, of Ann Arbor, is quoted as saying that this Hall is the most beautiful college building he has ever seen. In 1894 was added Engineering Hall, one of the largest and best equipped buildings devoted exclusively to engineering in the world. Large as the structure is, it emphasizes the rapid growth of the institution in that it threatens soon to be inadequate for the needs of the departments. Last January, still another large building was completed and is now occupied by the engineering department. This coming year there will be begun an adequate Astronomical Observatory and a beautiful Library Building to cost $150,000. The latter promises to be by far the most attractive building on the campus. And still the University grows. Whether or not the social life of the University has reached an ideal develop- ment might be a matter for discussion, but that it has very much improved I think no one can doubt. Within the memory of those who are still students here the social functions that were strictly University affairs were the socials given by the Christian Associations once a term and the special meetings of the literary soci- eties, when the halls were crowded to the doors. Very little entertaining was done by the instructors, and the student, not a senior, who was invited to an instructor ' s house, considered himself as especially favored and was looked upon by his less 26
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