University of Wisconsin Madison - Badger Yearbook (Madison, WI)

Page 15 text:

One impiovement which is badly needed at Madison is more hbrary space litie the Library in the Memorial Union. Such rooms are more conducive to browsing and establishment of good reading habif, through easy contact with books. For improvement the report wants space provided for stu- dents and faculty members to meet outside the classroom, greater emphasis placed on intellectual leadership in the selec- tion of housemothers and housefellows in dormitories, frater- nities, and sororities. The development of citizenship in the student has a very mixed account at the university with the university affording many opportunities which make a wholesome environment for the student body, but being only partially effective as a source for moral and civic betterment. This results, the report points out, in graduates who often reflect rather than set the ethical tone of their communities. Specifically the committee fears that student activities are too often practice grounds for techniques, rather than train- ing grounds for huinan understanding and sound leadership. Conditions in regard to cheating, here as elsewhere, now as m the past, are a disgrace. The curricula do little to insist on all students gaining the basic knowledge that a citizen should have and a certain reticence plus the pressure of time keeps many faculty members from letting students know, either through teaching or advising, the finest well-springs of their character. The committee wants a decided improvement in keeping before the university moral goals, the ideal of the good citizen, and his obligations in a democratic society; a more complete revelation of the teacher ' s personality through his teaching and advising; and the minimizing of cheating. Scholarship, central to university education, can be regarded with great pride at the University of Wisconsin, in the judg- ment of the committee. The research accomplishments m many fields are outstanding . . . However, the conditions are not such as to lead to complacency. There are mediocre de- partments, and these present a real problem ... At Wisconsin as elsewhere the functions of interpretation and long-time research are handicapped by the demand for novelty and for frequent publication. The plant and equipment are not ade- quate . . , summarized the report. The research accomplish- ments in many fields arc outstanding here at the University, states the report. Facilities such as the elect- ron microscope are availabk- for research. One of the aims of the com- mittee was to reduce cheat- ing, such as the picture be- low represents.

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change is the most changeless of things - The main reading room of the hbrary of the University was cited as |)]tifully inadequate for a University the size of Wisconsin. Aniniij; the cuhural opportunities offered to Wisconsin students is the Pro Arte Quartet, a great favorite among the students. ' Mi Available at the university are opportunities for cultural education such as courses in the humanities, hearing good music, reading good books, and attend- ing public lectures in almost all realins. The commit- tee, however, adds that the elective system in Letters and Science, Education, and Agriculture does only little to insure contacts with our cultural heritage. The advisory system does not help much and the curricula in some of the professional schools preclude any substantial amount in cultural fields. Textbooks arc often inforinative but dull and the library is not conducive to browsing or establishment of good reading habits through easy contact with books. M.inx well known person, iges in the lichi of music and art come to the Union theater pictured at the left. .Miove is Josef Zigetti who was oni of the pcrfornuTs of the Memorial Union Concert .Scries this year.

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The University Grows In the Men ' s Residence Halls and some ot the traternm houses the institution of the Housefcllow is used. His ad- vice to younger students and his jiiana eri.il ahiht help to make the life of the student much happier. Even though physical facilities at the university are not adequate, the committee hopefully adds that the last four years have seen a definite improvement in equipment and a start on a building program. The university has a good record in obtaining faculty mem- bers who are both able and enthusiastic teachers with the keenest interest both in their subject and in their students, and with a sympathetic understanding of fields other than their own — but there are some reservations made by the committee. The report describes the problem as due partly because of the intellectual stimulus of advanced work, and partly because of the force of numbers, many senior members of the staff have far greater contact with and hence more interest in theii graduate students than their imdergraduatcs. Tlie pressure of students once a week. their own graduate work on members of the junior staff sometimes limits, unfortunately, the time devoted by them to students. More should he done in the development of teach- ing interest and competency among teaching assistants. The relations of faculty and administration with students is both fiiendly and courteous, the committee found, but it is not always one of complete understanding. The important question with respect to student representation on more com- mittees, the report points out, is which faculty committees can function more effectively with student members. The report suggests as the solution that faculty committees that directly involve student affairs should include a liberal representation of students. Faculty committees that involve students only in- directly should have some students on them only if the present committee believes thev can function more effectivelv with them. The report .suggested that a milk li.ir iiiiglu In- set up in Hascom Hall to facilitate better student-faculty relations. One might be in- sialleil in such a place as the siivkin ' .; room in Hascom Hall below. . s a result ot the rapid expansion of the Uni ersity after the war many Temporary Buildings were constructed. It is the hope of the University that such buildings will not have to remain on the campus.