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

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GIRLS GYMNASIUM

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11 in I i sculapius. There is a dominant aristocracy, but it is the aristocracy of g-enius and scholarly attainmonts, imt of birth or position. There are distinctions of sex, but they are only -luh distinctions as ] revail in the most refined society. Tlie spirit of companionship and help- ful sympathy thus aroused break down the false stand- ards set up by those who are todies after name and wealth, or lack faith in human virtue. This atmosphere of freedom, coupled with the lars e outlook that is ex- ceeding-ly becoming to a Texan, constitutes the dis- tinffuishingf work of our University. Already we have touched upon some of the dangers which it has led us into. Possibly the dangers have been overestimated. Be that as it ma ' , it is certain that the mental attitude of freedom from artificial re- straint, characteristic of the average student ' s mind as he faces any question, is one tif our most fortunate jxis- sessions. Truth does not need in : hidden to be rendered holy. This frank open-mindedness prevails in all relations at the University. The work of the class-room is not a blind worship of the fetish of a professor. Through two w-eekly newspapers, a monthly magazine, and The C. crrs, the mind of the student finds expression upon all college affairs. His opinions are stated freely, vigorously, fearlessly- His field of criti- cism is bounded only by the sky-line of the universe. At times his Southern conservatism is painfully appar- ent, — witness the appearance of a snob in the University corridors. While slowly gaining ground, it is not be- lieved that knickerbockers will ever become universally popular, because, it may be, they are a peculiar pro- duct of Yankeedom; but it is rather more likely due to the students ' quiet protest against a change that counters on his aesthetic appreciation, as did the bloomers of the erstwhile past. The University is engaged in the production of citi- zens, not of sects. The Constitution wisely provides, while admitting as students all of whatever creed or belief, that no sectarian instruction be given. This provision is seized upon by zea lous and slanderous theo- logians, and we are often branded as atheists and in- fidels. The principles of Christianity are taught and practiced in every class-room. The students gather each morning at a chapel service, led by some pastor of the city; the} ' support Christian associations for both men and women; conduct student Bible classes, and engage in other kinds of religious work. Among the Faculty and students are some of the most successful Sunday-school superintendents and teachers in Austin. To sav that vice or immorality in any form is counte- nanced or encouraged is a low brand of slander, used either through ignorance or spleen. The student body here are as free from vice as any like number of young peoi le — and you may search the wide world through. But why need we take up seriatim the organizations that are the result of student activity. The following pages, through picture, stor y, and song, more vividly and accurately paint the picture than could many vol- umes of dry analysis. Read the story that we have hinted at there, and, if possible, read it with the eyes of a more generous and less critical philosophy than we could employ in setting down these words. Before we close, the claim of the Medical Depart- ment for special mention must be } ielded to. Separated from the Main University by some hundreds of miles, through the high ideals it has set for itself and its faith- fulness in living up to their utmost demands, we have been drawn very close together. A community of pur- pose and interest will strengthen and draw closer these b(jnds as the years pass by.

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THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT ' I ' lie Medical Di-partnicnt (if llie L iii varsity was finally org-aiiized by the selection of its Faculty in 1891, and the first instruction was given during- the session of 1801-92. As first established, the course of medical study extended in graded form o lm- three annual ses- sions of seven months duration each. In a few years the sessions were lengthened to seven and one-half months each, and by recent regulation of the Faculty the Regents are requested to authorize a further exten- sion to eight months. In 1897, after announcement to such effect the previous session, an additional or final term was placed in operation, all students matriculat- ing in 1897 and subsequently being required to com- plete a course of four years ' duration for the Degree of Medicine. From its inception the whole trend of the work of the school has been to the elevation of the worth and dignity of the degree; and upon the independent basis of a part of the public school sy- tem of the State, the school has sought to avoid the laxity so widely and so long the shame of the medical education in America, and to insist upon efficiency and thoroughness of work as the only return from the student for a practically gratuitous professional education at the hands of the State. It has realized that its first duty to the people who created it is to provide as fully as it can a corps of trained and competent practitioners of medicine, and the efforts of the whole body of instructors have been bent to this end, rather than to the more showy, but, from the utilitarian purpose of the school, more ques- tionable object of medical research. It is essentially a teaching school. Its teachers have been selected with this object in view, and have been required, wherever practicable, to devote themselves entirely to this end; and there is probably no school in the country where more direct supervision is given by the teachers to the work of the student, or where more intimate relations between the teachers and students obtain. It is felt that the value of such effort toward broadness and thoroughness of instruction and of interested super- vision of work has in this instance been amply demon- strated in the high professional attainments, the almost universal success of the graduates in competitive ex- aminations abroad as well as at home, and in their work and the esteem in which they are held in their various private and public stations. The facilities for instruction are good. The labora- tories, it is true, have been crowded by the larger classes after the first year or two of the school ' s exist- ence, and further equipment along this line is needed, but in each the fundamental and necessary equipment is good. The hospital owned by the school annually cares for between 40(1(1 and 5ii(j(i ward and outdoor cases, furnishing an amjile supjdy of illustrative clinical ma- terial, with which the higher classes are constantly brought into close contact. Like the rest of the University of Texas the Medical Department is co-educational. A special inducement to young women seeking medicine and the allied branches as professions exists in the provision of Mr. George W. Brackenridge, of San Antonio, of the comforts of a home for such students in the University Hall. It is a beautiful building close to the College, built for this pur- pose and for the further object of affording a suitable dining hall for the whole student body. Owing to the efficient management of the Hall by the student body, under the cooperative plan, excellent board is afforded them at less than SIO per month for the individual. The rooms of the second and third stories are rented to the women students at reasonable prices.