University of Idaho - Gem of the Mountains Yearbook (Moscow, ID)

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GEM OF THE elie Te | Regents and FE aculty

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“GEM OF THE MOUMTAINS ‘16” long as we tolerate any “opinion, custom, or practice” which in itself is indefensible, merely because of a mistaken loyalty to tradition. One hesitates to single out for unfavorable mention any such bad tradition, lest he be accused of disloyalty or crabbedness. It may be safer, then, to mention a former Idaho tradition such as hazing, now happily extinct, or at least in its death-throes. At Idaho, fortunately, as in all the older, larger universities, it is no longer considered a crime to be one of the University’s newest guests or members. No longer is personal liberty interfered with. (The donning of the green cap I can regard only as a picturesque, sensible tradition promoting class unity and by no means in the category of hazing customs.) But what shall we say of tolerated “sneaks,” be they of the class- room, examination, managerial, picnic, “bust,” or dance variety? Are they not excrescences upon the fair vine of our growth, too unlovely for retention and fit only for the inexorable shears of public condemnation? Let us comfort ourselves with Darwin’s words: “After the lapse of time, under changing conditions of life, if any part comes to be injurious, it will be modified; or if it be not so, the being will become extinct as myriads have become extinct.” But enough of the darker side of college traditions, for as a rule I believe them to be wholesome, enlivening, and highly valuable as con- tributing to that genuine sentiment—not sentimentality—which should envelop our academic life. Too long have we regarded sheer intellect as the highest part of our natures. Highest it may be,—farthest from the earth,—but not the deepest, not even the most important part of our lives. Our feelings come earlier, last longer, and occupy far more of our conscious existence than do our thoughts. College traditions are like the ivy that covers the walls of brick, the green grass that rests the eye upon an August day, the pines that soften the colors and lines of the jagged hills. Too much intellectuality here at Idaho? Of course not—doubtless too little. But with the dignity, the atmosphere, the beauty of age and the real traditions of age we are. all too scantily furnished. These are the things that bring the smile to the eyes of the reminiscent alumnus; that draw him back to his Alma Mater in memory and, whenever possible, in person; that mold alike student and teacher as they are in turn are shaping, be it ever so little, the figure and destiny of their university home. These are assets not to be laid before the coldly appraising eye of taxpayer or legislator, but none the less actual because intangible. J. G. ELDRIDGE

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[ ee fies | State Board of Education And Board of Regents of the University of Idaho WATER Ss SORUCE SP 7800 CNG osc soca coceccedcne sence canceuecspesinavecooathasasananeceees Boise Term expires April, 1915 FIRRMAN Ji, FOOSSI,. Vice: Presid eit ann cence cc ancccsnnencencansocdsgoncuatoawen Wallace Term expires April, 1916 FU, EG ARANDA, Or CEN ae csc ee aoe ep ce EEX br ee, Payette Term expires April, 1917 EVAN EVANS ......... OI an lk Oe Oe cee ..... Grangeville Term expires April, 1918 NAG ES 12 oi Bee eee oe Ae Boise Term expires April, 1919 BERNICE McCoy, Superintendent Public Instruction.............0......-......- Boise Ex-officio Executive Committee of the University of Idaho Mr. Rossi, Chairman; Mr. EvAN EVANS, COMMISSIONER SISSON, PRESIDENT BRANNON Requisition Committee of the University of Idaho Mr. Rossi, Mr. EVAN EVANS, PRESIDENT BRANNON 14