University of Nevada - Artemisia Yearbook (Reno, NV)

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gray stone of the walls looks cool and restful under the brilliant light of our long summer days, and warm and comfortable under the dark clouds and the thunderous rush of the mountain storms. The massive stone walls are also a pleasing contrast to the brick, vhich has hitherto held with unvarying preeminence the first claim upon all the University buildings. It is to the interior plan and equipment of the Chemical Building that the teacher and student will turn with lively interest. It is as a workshop for the student and scholar in the practically important science of chemistry that this sturdy building will make its deepest impres- sion, for the department of chemistry is the handmaid to all the technical schools of the University— Agriculture, Mines, Mechanical Engin- eering, Civil Engineering— as well as to the schools of liberal discipline, such as the schools of Liberal Arts, General Science, Education and Domestic Science. The entrance doors open into a moderately spacious vestibule, within which a double stairway leads to the platform which breaks the ascent to the second floor. On the right of the vestibule as you enter is the roomy, airy, well-arranged Qualitative Laboratory containing desks for about sixty students. On the left is the Quantitative ' ' M Laboratory admirably equipped and having desk room for about thirtv students. Be- - tween the two laboratories is a store room for chemical equipment and supplies. ' ■ ■ ' 3 From the vestibule is the stairway to the basement, which is well lighted and has cement floor. The basement has two rooms, one used for the grinding and prepara- tion of samples, the other containing the steam boiler which provides heat for the building and steam and hot water for the laboratories. The drainage pipe system is thought to be of the best kind. On the second floor facing the stairway is the lecture room. The lecture desk is equipped with water, gas, electric light and power for use in lecture demonstrations and experiments. The floor rises by a series of graded platforms from the lecture desk to the vest wall of the room. Each platform has a single row of lecture chairs. The usual seating capacity of the lecture room is sixty -five. The south half ot the second floor is wholly occupied by the chemistry laboratories of the Agricultural Experiment Station. There are three of these labora- tories, each one suitably arranged and equipped for original investigation, viz: the analytical, the nitrogen and the dairv laboratorv. Two i6

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nation, but fill out the mould of the college man or of the college woman. The stamp of the University is upon him, upon her, tor all com- ing years. Our University is enrolled among the smaller Universities of the Great Republic of the United States, and holds its place too, bv wav of distinction, in the Commonwealth of least population. But I do not know of any state or country which has accomplished so much for higher education in so short a time as the State of Nevada. I do not speak of this in a spirit of boasting, for 1 am too conscious ot how much is vet to be done to justify us in claiming laurels, but simply to give the just word ot praise to the people of Nevada who have directed with sustained interest and untaltering courage through the short period of tburteen years the upbuilding of their State University. Our Universitv is scarcely old enough to have a history, but she has the record ot tburteen years of steadv growth. Almost every year has seen a new building upon the campus. They are all of them buildings of moderate cost. Every dollar has been squeezed to the duty ot being useful. The stvle of the first buildings is not wholly pleasing. That of the later buildings con- forms to the more approved taste in good building. The notable improvements upon the campus this year are the Chemistry Building and the Student Hospital. Modest appropriations for these buildings were made by the Legislature ot 190) ; twelve thousand dollars for the former and three thousand five hundred dollars tor the latter. The Regents of the University tbund extreme difficulty in erecting suitable buildings, the cost ot which should not exceed the amount appropriated. They have, however, displayed rare judgment in handling the monev at their command, and have to their credit two of the best and most tasteful buildings upon the campus. The Chemical Building is of stone from the old prison wall. Thanks to the State Controller, the Hon. Sam P. Davis, and to Dr. W. H. Patterson, Superintendent of the Asylum, the Legislature of 1901 passed an act granting the stone of the old prison wall to the build- ing needs and uses of the Asylum and the State University. The architecture of the Chemical Building is very simple, tor the sake of economy, yet it is satisfying to the cultivated taste. The 15

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rooms on the north side are devoted to photography, which has become a very valuable adjunct to modern scientific investigation. Two store rooms for the use of the station laboratories fill out the north-west corner. Finally you may slip into the cozy office of the Professor of Chemistry just round the corner of the staircase landing and receive a cordial welcome. What the compledon of the new Chemistry Building means to the University can only be appreciated by those intimately associated with University needs. For several years the laboratory facilities in chemistry have been inadequate to the demands. Two to three students to every desk in a room without proper vendlanon; water supplies stored in barrels, and drainage pipes liable to cough and choke at any moment — these conditions have made lite a burden to the Professor of Chemistry and his assistants. Now all this is changed. The Department of ' ■ Chemistry is fittingly housed for manv years to come. The Students ' Hospital is a departure in style and purpose from the traditional college - ' - ' - building. It is cottage-like, built of pressed brick, with exterior wood work pamted ivory white. The windows and doors are unusually large, on the theory that abundance of air and sunshine is an important element in the cure of disease and in restoration to health. The sheltered veranda sag- a gests outdoor cheer for the invalid. The indoor sitting room with open wood fire-place speaks of ■ ■ - - ll . fo- comfort for the convalescent. The two wards upon the east side belong to the young women. ,,,. , % Five to ten panents can be taken care of in these wards. On the west side are two similar wards ■ « for young men. The bath rooms, toilets and kitchen provide suitable conveniences for the care of ffr.,. .• ■ - ' -i the sick. Here the truly sick will be nursed back to health and study privileges by Grand- ' , mother Elkins, who is a good nurse and knowing physician and petting mother all in one to her , , students. Here will be sent the too-sick- to-go-to-rccitation students, who will be put to bed for the rest cure. Thev will not be permitted to talk or read. They will just rest, rest, rest, undl they find that to study and go to classes is a divine privilege. Here the good physician will come at call to see with keen eye the hidden fortress of disease, and then with skilled hand to break in the fevered gates and let nature ' s blessed life-restoring forces cleanse and build anew. 17