University of Louisville - Thoroughbred Yearbook (Louisville, KY)

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Inaugural Response—Continued. of the youth and adults of this city, and to draw up and make effec- tive, articulate programs to meet those needs. Public education can no longer rightfully think of itself as limited to children and youth or to non-employed. It should include as an integral part educa- tion for workers. Education for adults has become of vital impor- tance. I heartily endorse the idea put forth by Superintendent Gregory this afternoon that there should be one instead of two public educational programs for the city, and that the city school system and the city University “can wisely work together in the construction of a program of education that shall be city wide,” that eventually will recognize no academic boundaries of subjcet matter, and will serve people of all age levels. The current conception of a University seems to be less comprehen- sive in some fundamental respects than what it was in the minds of some American leaders considerably more than a century ago. Spe- cifically it falls short of that suggested by Thomas Jefferson in a letter written by him to Joseph Priestly in January, 1800. He said, “We wish to establish for the state, a university so broad and liberal and modern as to be a temptation to you... the first stepis. . . a judicious selection of the sources ... in an institution meant chiefly for use.’ . . . it includes the sciences, politics, commerce, arts, and fine arts. Ford, Paul L. The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, P. 407, et seq. Instruction Primary Function We do not believe that the view we have expressed is in any sense a miscarriage of the basic reason why this institution was first char- tered. That purpose was primarily to provide instruction. This is a fact so important that it should never be lost sight of. Buildings, libraries, laboratories, teachers, and boards of trustees are necessary. But necessary for what? Memberships on boards or positions on faculties should be neither created nor continued to provide positions for occupants. Buildings, including laboratories and libraries, are not erected to provide employment or even to beautify the landscape. All of these factors are for the purpose of making instruction possible, and for the purpose of improving it. Even academic research, which by some is considered to be the high- est type of intellectual activity, can scarcely justify itself in a pub- licly supported university, unless it contributes significantly to the Thirteen

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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

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Inaugural Response—Continued. same goals as instruction. If instruction then, is the most important activity of our University, it is of first importance that we note some of the factors that determine its qualities. The institution’s representative in this activity is the teacher; the activity from the standpoint of the institution is teaching. Today, American higher education is experiencing the heretofore unknown exhilaration of a critical attitude directed toward the quality of its teaching. It is one which for years has been operative on educa- tional level below the college and it now strikes higher education with all the added impetus derived from success in other fields. One can safely make three assertions concerning this movement. The first is that it is clearly upon us. The second is that it is here to stay for an indefinite time. The third is that it is thoroughly sound in principle. With these considerations in mind, it would seem that from now on academic tenure, important as it is, will be compelled to share its field with the quality of the teaching perform- ance. ‘This is a statement based upon a rapidly accumulating body of evidence which time does not permit us to detail here. It is scarcely necessary in light of what has been said, to call atten- tion to the great importance of securing properly qualified persons for the faculty. In general, we get what we pay for, although it must be said that many serve the teaching profession at a distinct personal sacrifice because they prefer the life of this profession to that of any other occupation. As the years go by, the University of Louisville will undoubtedly find it necessary to pay its faculty members amounts in excess of what they are now receiving. The emphasis here laid upon the importance of proper instruction, finds strong argument in certain contemporary conditions abroad. German universities have recently had a vision. Previous to the war the diligence of their exacting research had become so narrow that it blinded perspective, and dried up the streams of student en- thusiasm. But a new day is dawning, there is a new spirit, and understanding is coming between instructors and students. Soon we may expect the German universites to be what they were in the beginning and in the middle of the last century—centers and crown- ing achievements of German civilization. See Fritz Kellerman, the Effect of the World War on Eurspean Education, page 51, et seq. (Harvard Bulletins in Education, Number XII). of louisville | Fourteen