University of Texas Austin - Cactus Yearbook (Austin, TX)

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Social %itc The t ' liiversity of Texas has been co-educational since its first day, anticipating in this policy the subsequent course of many universities of the highest standing. Nor could an advocate of co-education find an instance more favorable to his theory than this University ; for we have never known the antagonisms and unharmonious relations which have, in some instances, attended like experiments. Mutual sympathy and respect has been here the unfailing attitude of the young men and women. The orderliness of our students, always remarked by those familiar with other colleges, is generally attributed to the restraining presence of the young ladies. Vp the long corridor, circling the rotunda, and back again as far as the back door of the History Room (so as to avoid the line of vision from the girls ' sitting-room, where dwells the matron i. turning and retracing the same round, the fair sophomore li.stens to the modest junior, as he tells her — well, we leave the stor ' (« •. ' ) to the constructive imagination of the reader. All this is to be found in the curriculum of our school : but it is one of the many elective courses in the degree groups, and if a girl has visions of the lecture platform or the purification of the ballot-box, she may decline this disci- pline. Observation would lead one to infer that we have few feminine politicians in embryo among our students. We shall not attempt to rehearse the ameni|ies of the social life of the University, or to point out, either bv cari- cature or direct criticism, specific shortcomings ; but must content ourselves with concluding this prefatory sketch by branding ad of college spirit as the primal cause of all defects. When an earnest college spirit is thoroughly quickened in us. all other good things will be added. Ever - need which we have mentioned would quickly find its satisfaction : every fault we have overpassed would soon be remedied. Those who selfishly or churlishly refuse to deny themselves for the support of general enterprises, who decry football, discourage tennis and athletic .sports, carp at the literary societies, sneer at class receptions, servilely obstruct ma.ss meet- ings, or repudiate college journals, annuals, or final ball — all these are enemies within our gates. Fellowship must be sternly denied such men until they are willing to reciprocate the .sentiment : AH for each, and each for all. They are barnacles, clogging the keel of progress ; they are sponges, soaking up all that is given and returning nothing. Some of them are so absorbed in self-seeking studies that no moment of their precious time can be spared for the general good ; others, besotted in self-indulgence, can spare nothing for a common cause. Only when all love the Alma Afal, r, and are willing to render some loyal .ser ice in return for her free gifts to us, can we hope to realize our hearts ' desires. We must love the University, honor her traditions, and cherish her high aims. 19

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• I We must, if need be, deny ourselves to come at her beck, and hasten at her bidding. Should such a spirit unite and direct us, all alumni could soon look with unalloyed pride upon the .4 ma . alet. Everything encourages us to put shoulder to shoulder for advance toward the ideal of our fathers — a university of the first class. Our State is not niggardly ; she will give what is righteously demanded by enlightened and enthusiastic alumni. We must be known by our fruits. Nor will one who is too centered in self to love his college while in her bosom, turn aside to do her service when he finds himself in the thick of the struggles of life. The Faculty are doing their part ; already the courses framed and presided over by them are recognized as of standard merit by the foremost institutions in this country. At Harvard. Chicago, Columbia, the I ' niversity of Virginia, our alumni have won positions of honor and emolument, demonstrating the efficiency of their undergraduate instruction. Tpon us as the students devolves an integral share in the great work of the upbuilding of our State University. Let us not be recreant. Ji J