University of Louisville - Thoroughbred Yearbook (Louisville, KY)

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Inaugural Response—Continued. proper outcome. No undertaking of such importance should ever be launched by the University without an intelligent anticipation further ahead than the next immediate step. I do not hesitate to say that faith cannot be kept on the basis of the promises already made by the University unless whatever is done shall be built upon a foundation that will last. Community Service This is a municipal university. Its financial support, aside from tuition fees of non-resident students, income from taxes levied on the assessable property within the municipality of Louisville. The situation is almost parallel with that of our city high schools. The responsibility of this institution, therefore, is primarily to the citi- zens of the city. As far as the University can serve the educational, social and civic welfare of the citizens of the municipality along lines not already served, it should do so, the limits of such service being only those imposed by wise administration and physical resources. This statement is not the enunciation of a new principle for this institution. A brief review of some of the special service rendered the community through the several schools of your University will illustrate this point. The College of Liberal Arts, in addition to its activities in formal instruction, has furnished individuals to assist in conducting adver- tising campaigns and surveys, has provided instruction to the local branch of the American Institute of Banking, has given expert ad- vice on pictures, given lectures on current events at the Young Men’s Christian Association, rendered assistance in editing a History Quar- terly, has aided community music, and through its department of chemi stry has provided analyses and consulting services. The School of Law through its students has given to the Legal Aid Society within the past two years, approximately fifteen men who have devoted a portion of their time to this work. The assistance consisted of both advice and the litigation of cases. The total num- ber of cases involved is estimated at two thousand. The Speed Scientific School, since its opening slightly more than four years ago, has conducted over eight hundred individual tests of materials of all sorts for individuals of Louisville. In addition, Eleven thoroughbred

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Inaugural Response—Continued. Education for Negroes It is entirely proper that mention be made on this occasion of a project of which the future must take cognizance. I refer to the educational facilities of the negro portion of our population, which may be provided under the direction of the Trustees of the University. The records of the Board of Trustees of this University show clearly that an obligation in this direction has been officially assumed. At no time, as far as | am aware, has there been any disposition on the part of this governing body to do other than to give full recognition to the commitment already made. Following the successful vote on the million dollar bond issue for the University, the Board set aside $100,000 out of the proceeds of that issue to further the project of the higher education of negroes in Louisville. The plan as orig- inally made could not be carried through. In the meanwhile the principal sum of $100,000 has been specifically set aside and has been kept inviolate, and with accrued interest now amounts to $106,000. In its deliberations many months ago, the Board sought the counsel of a thoroughly competent adviser on this project, and Mr. Leo M. Favrot of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, made a personal visit to Louis- ville. Mr. Favrot in his work with the Rockefeller Foundation has familiarized himself with the problems of negro education and ren- dered similar service to other institutions. With the realization that the time has come for working out definite plans, Mr. Favrot has been invited to return to this city and advise upon what steps should be taken now and what should be the nature of the program for the future. He has promised to visit us within the next few weeks. Anticipating this visit, no plans have been drawn up for spending the $106,000. That definite action will be taken is a foregone con- clusion. Without question such action will take into account the entire negro population of the city without reference to creed or faith. But whatever is done should be the result of careful delib- eration and consultation. It should be based upon all the pertinent evidence available, and only after such evidence has been passed upon by a competent judge, or judges. Such procedure will not cause delay. In the end it will hasten rather than postpone the

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Inaugural Response—Continued. professional advice has been given freely by the members of its fac- ulty. Theses required from members of the senior class of this school are based upon problems, found in industries and utilities of the city, desiring these particular researches to be made. The findings of these investigations are turned over without charge to these organizations. Furthermore, in this school, the first step toward municipal research is now going on in the Hydraulic Labora- tory. Here problems not hitherto attempted are being studied by the engineers of the Commission of Sewerage. The Medical School of our University renders service through its affiliation with the Louisville City Hospital, and through working arrangements with other agencies within the city. Last year the total number of visits by the various dispensaries of the city was 57,797. During the same period there were 10,000 ward or bed cases. Owing to the rapid growth of the city and the inaccessibility of the City Hospital to certain outlying districts, the Medical School has an arrangement with the Health Council of the Community Chest whereby a careful study is made of the need for extramural clinics. As a result of this, a clinic has been conducted at the “‘Point”’ (Cable and River Road) during the past two years. ‘Two others are to be opened within a very short time in the new recreation buildings established by the Park Board in Highland Park and in Parkland. The School of Dentistry last year gave service which would have cost $57,340 if rendered through ordinary channels. The actual cost was $17,129. Included were free dental service to 1,080 school children, service to 7,190 persons through the Dental School In- firmary, to 3,907 cases at the City Hospital, and examination of 7,500 public school children. It is interesting to note that the amount which the annual operation of the School of Dentistry costs above the receipts from its students, is almost exactly the same sum as that which this school expends upon free service within Louisville. It is our fervent desire that these practices shall be not only con- tinued, but also that the future may see the program expanded. Teaching and research in our University cannot be too well ac- quainted with our service to all the life of this community. We believe that the future success of this University will depend in no small measure upon its ability to make abstract the educational needs thoroughbred EN y of louisville BX) Twelve