University of Iowa - Hawkeye Yearbook (Iowa City, IA)

Page 19 text:

6he pivep,5i.9. BY PRESIDENT CHARLES A. SCHAEFFER, A. M., PII. D. N July, 1840, Congress passed an act-providing for the setting apart of townships within the Territory of Iowa, for the use and support of a University, whenever the Territory should become a State. By the adoption of the Constitution the people of the State accepted this grant of land, and the policy was reaffirmed in the amended Constitution of 1857. At the first session of the General Assembly of the State, February 25, 1847, an act was passed locating and establishing the State University. By this act the public buildings in Iowa City were granted for the- use of said University. The State, however, reserved the right to use such portions of the building as it needed until other quarters .could be provided. Although the seat of government was removed to Des Moines in 1857, the United States District Court still retained the use of a portion of the old Capitol building, and it was not until 1860 that the University came into complete possession. Up to 1860, the existence of the University was More formal than real. Regular meetings of the Board of Trustees were held,. but, owing to the inadequacy of the fund to sustain the institution and the use by the State for other purposes of the premises designed for it, very little of the real work expected of the University was accomplished. -- The first session was opened in the Mechanics ' Academy in Iowa City, in March, 1855. At that time there were established a Preparatory, a Normal and a Collegiate Department, but almost the entire work done was in the first two. After three years, namely, in June, 1858, all departments were closed with the exception of the Normal Department, and remained so until September, 1860, when the two that had been suspended were again put into operation. Since that time the University has continued its regular sessions Without interruption. - - Article IX of the Constitution, concerning education and school lands, provides that the State University shall be established at one place, out branches at any other place, and further, in a subsequent section, its location was fixed at Iowa City. 9