University of Minnesota - Gopher Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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W O i9 I 7 w l

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Already four fraternities have taken up their residence here, namely: Chi Psi, Beta Theta Pi, Alpha Delta Phi, and Delta Tau Delta. The most valuable building sites remaining have been secured by such other fratern- ities as Alpha Phi, Psi Upsilon, Phi Kappa Psi, Delta Kappa Epsilon, and the University Catholic Association. Possibly, here too may be located the much desired Woman's Building. This last improvement is not an idle dream, it is a present necessity. There is nothing more ugly, more in- consistent with education and with the culture supposed to follow education, than the way in which the young women of this University are left ex- posed to the cheapness and commonness of the average boarding house. An investigation of the surroundings in which many women students find themselves placed here would form an interesting chapter in the history of University life. lt should not be left to the Woman,s League to remedy this. lt is a duty for the authorities of the University itself to perform. The refinement that comes from beautiful environments-is more valuable to the people of Nlinnesota than a four-year course in the history of art. Education should never be separated from sanitary and elevating con- ditions of life. .:f.:: ' ' - , . A H ILE these visible forms of outward growth ,Q V56 -L' - have manifested themselves, other import- ' ' ant, though unseen, developments have lg taken place in the many objects and inter- ests that combine to make the so-called life of the University. These objects and ins terests are the evidences of culture, of the scientific passion for knowingf of the increase of academic consciousness. They are the tap-roots that strike vigorously downward into the soil and procure nourishment and stability for the plant above. One of these more recent developments is the increased interest in debate. A few years since there was no such thing as a debating team. The establishment of the inter- collegiate debate at first seemed to arouse no special enthusiasm among the literary societies and debaters of the University. But through the heroic efforts of instructors and the ready response of students this has all been changed. To obtain an appointment on one of the teams is now held an honor, to win one of the championships in an intercollegiate debate is regarded as a victory second to none. lmmense gain could be made in one line of University interests, namely, in the literary organizations, could they have a habitation and a 1 ,, U' r VIE-, 3-aj-:. 3., 1-'f-3 ,Q-' 16

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place. The power for culture inherent in these organizations cannot be calculated. If these societies could be banded together to build a common club house, a structure which would be symbolic of their greatness and importance in general culture, in the individual life of each student, there would be a more united effort and a more permanent zeal in the promotion of literary interests. Such a Society House would be to this University what the historic Debating Union has been to Oxford University. Such an institution would be a Students' Club. It could be equipped with a general reading-room and numerous other accessories that would meet the peculiar needs of students in this University. As it is, when a student leaves the class-room and laboratory he is forced to seek his amusement and rest in some resort that corresponds to the cheapest corner-grocery of a frontier town. A University which offers only a few hours ofubook- larnin to four thousand young men and women is only half equipped. NWN!! WO important interests have been added to the features of C 3 the religious world of the University within the past half- ' ' decade. These are the establishment of the University f Q . 5 Liberal Association and the University Catholic Associa- -Iq ll tion. The latter Association has already secured a place n' . , , , . . . opposite the Qampus for a Church House. lhis will become the center of social and religious life among the Catholic students. The University Liberal Association can hardly be called a religious society. lts chief purpose is to provide students with a course of lectures upon liberal subjects, to present those topics more suited to emancipate the mind from every narrow provincialism, whether of egoism or tradition, and simultaneously to foster good fellowship and broad charity among its members. Such an organization as this could easily join hands with the literary societies in the Hmunding of a students' club. ' - N l NO I Hhli vhase of student life is the Dramatic .D Q' 4 , . l , . . 'J Y Club which was started seven years ago. I his .. -. Club has a commendable purpose and has W A been very successful in the short period of its V existence. lt has sometimes Ruled to grasp :. , kv, , 3 the higher ideals of an intellectual entertain- .. f fa, b ment. The gay science often finds the . H V 'I ' ' u straight way a hard one to travel. The pre- sentation of dramatic literature is one thing and the presentation of a popular success is another. By a community's entertainments its general culture may be 13