University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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I UNIVERSITY SHARES IN RELIEF FUNDS Our interest tends naturally toward subjects with which we are in close contact. There is perhaps no single subject which is as interesting and close to us as that of the relief administration and the CWA. It seems appropriate here, therefore, that we should discuss the CWA as it has affected us here at the University of Michigan. The projects cost approximately $75,000, and at the same time furnish some 260 to 280 jobs for the unemployed. These jobs are of several different types. For instance, eighty to a hundred of the jobs fur- nished by the CWA projects will be of the white collar variety, and will be on educational projects in various departments of the university, according to Professor L. M. Gram, Director of plant extension. Twelve thousand dollars has been set aside for this work, an important aspect of which, will be to increase the value of libraries and museums by cataloguing, indexing, and preparing specimens. The Dental library and the Museums will be two of the divisions to profit from this work. In the Herbarium, work will center around the newly-acquired Parke-Davis collection. The largest of the projects that have been approved by the CWA officials is that of extending power and electrical service to the Stadium and to the buildings on Ferry Field. This project will cost approximately 828,000, though when the extension is complete, it will be possible for the first time to supply the entire athletic plant with electricity from the University Power Plant. A new fireproof substation and switch house is under construction near the hospital. This new building, will cost approximately $12.000. There has been $4,000 allotted for weather-stripping the windows of the University Hospital while an additional $1,000 will be used to extend the city water service to the botanical gardens on Packard Street. The authorities have planned by the building of a permanent heating tunnel between the campus proper and the University High School, Elementary School, and the Archi- tecture Building to make it possible to extend all service lines to those buildings through the tunnel. At the present time the heat is carried through temporary pipes under the high school athletic- field, Pardon said. The new tunnel will cost approximately $10,000. There are some forty to fifty minor jobs which will cost $20,000. Additional CWA projects will be put up for approval if this work continues till Spring. At any rate the CWA is benefiting the University and at the same time fulfilling its most obvious purpose, relieving unemployment. , Abot ' f DIRECTOR KMIL LORCH Architecture Far Right DEAN SAMUEL T. DANA Forestry Near Riftht CHARLES A. SINK President, School of Music

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UNIVERSITY PROSPERITY ENROLLMENT Many pessimists, who devote their pessimism to the conditions surrounding our colleges and universities, talk at great length regarding depression enrollments. Tin- writer has chosen to call them prosperity enrollments,as they seem more fitting to a period of prosperity than to one of depression. It is true that there have been noticeable decreases in enrollment, and they are due, no doubt, to depression conditions, but the situation is far from being as alarming as many would have you believe. Tabulations at the University of Michigan on October the first showed that there were 7,903 students in the University, while last year there were 8,182 at the same time. The drop is only 3.4 per cent. Officials pointed out that, although the loss was not fully expected, the University may be considered fortunate, for other comparable institutions in this section of the country have shown greater enrollment decreases. The existing tabulations in the literary college showed that its enrollment was well above that of the last year, there being an increase of some hundred men and fifty women. The increase was ascribed to the unexpected size of the incoming class as well as to the large number of students entering 011 advanced standings. However, a noticeable number of students failed to return to continue courses here. We find the major decrease, and that which officials feel is largely respon- sible for the general drop, in the Graduate school, which now has 185 men and 1 7 women less than at the same time last year. The enrollment in the Engineering school suffered a slight falling off. It was estimated that nearly half or the total loss in the Graduate school falls into the class of part-time students, most of whom are residents of the city or drive here weekly for classes. The schools of Dentistry, Education, Engineering, and Architecture were hardest hit, the enrollment in the Medical, Law, Business Administration, Nursing, and Music schools having dropped off but slightly. The Literature school enrollment took quite a gain, and the College of Pharmacy gained 25%. In any instance, however, the tabulations, were not alarming in view of the existing conditions. These enrollment figures are indicative of more stable conditions. The depression has continued for these several years, yet, the enrollment this year has fallen off but slightly. We may hope that these conditions which have seemed so against increased enrollments are being done away with, and that a new prosperity hap- piness is taking their place. With increased enrollment will come harmony and accord, and a better, more peaceful University. Abore DEAN JAMKS B. EDMONDSON Education Far Left DEAN HERBERT C. SAIH.KR Engineering Near Left DEAN CLARE E. GRIFKIN KM MI.-- Administration

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UNIVERSITY HALL If the authorities were to sign their approval to existing plans for a new administration building they would be signing a virtual death warrant for University Hall, one of the oldest of campus buildings, the oldest, of course, being the President ' s remodelled home. The plans for the first section of the building, Mason Hall, were begun soon after the University was located at Ann Arbor in 1837, the Regents having considered the question of buildings and appointed a building committee. The South Wing was completed in 1849, and later, University Hall proper was built to fill the gap between Mason Hall and the South Wing. The building committee was to recommend a plan for the University buildings, to estimate the cost, to make contracts, and to employ an architect. In 1838, the Board adopted a plan offered by Mr. Alexander J. Davis of New York City. The plans received the approval of the Governor and the Superintendent of Public Instruction but were never carried into effect as the Board saw fit to forbid the signing of further contracts, to rescind the previous order that the building be made of brick, and to appropriate $20,000 for the erection of such buildings as the present necessities of the University might require, agreeable to a plan to be submitted by the building committee at a subsequent meeting of the Board. The program adopted was less ambitious and expensive. The building was soon under construction, and sums of money were paid to Haspier Lum until August 30, 1841, he being the chief agent of the Regents in the building enterprise from the middle of 1839 until the completion of the building in September of 1841. There is an interesting memoran- dum on an early drawing of Mason Hall signed by Anthony Ten Kyck, Secretary of the Board of Regents from 1839 to 1845, which reads: April 8, 1840 This plan for University Building was this date adopted by the Board of Regents of the University. This drawing was also used in the construction of the exactly corresponding South Wing in 1849, which was ordered built on January 7, 1847 at a cost of $5,000. ' The floor plan of Mason Hall shows a large room probably used as a museum or chapel, con- taining six student suites. These were divided into a study, two rooms (one with no outside window), and two wood rooms at either side of the fireplace. These old divisions, of course, have disappeared, probably in Dr. Tappans ' time when the building was utilized entirely for recitations. Mason Hall is 93 years old, a place of memories for every Michigan alumnus. Its long life has been picturesque in the extreme, the history of the University being mirrored in its history. University Hall has enjoyed a long life but its death is in sight, though it will continue to live in the memories of many for a long time to come.