University of Massachusetts Amherst - Index Yearbook (Amherst, MA)

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Shall the Name of the College be Changed ? At the request of the editors, the following has been prepared by sending to Ex-President Stockbridge and fifty of the Alumni, the questions here noted ; the answers I have condensed, excepting Ex-President Stockbridge ' s. First. — Would agriculture suffer by a change of name to that of Massachusetts College of Science, or, Massachusetts College ? Second. — Could the work for agriculture be done as well by the present system now obtaining at the College, with a new name ? Third. — Are many prospective students lost because the College ' s name gives the impression that it is purely a college of agri- culture ? Fourth. — Is the College doing its best work for the common people of the State, under its present name ? AGAINST CHANGE OF NAME I. Amherst, November 19th, 1897. My Dear Dr. Cutter: — Yours of the 15th is just received and it relates to what is, in my opinion, a vital matter with our M. A. C, but I don ' t care to discuss it. You ask sundry questions. The real answers are obscured in a darkened box because the reasons are. I think I see how the box is locked and dark- ened, and will lend you the key to open and look within. The Key : The heart, soul and life of the College is most materially changed since its early days, atid not for the better. Question i, yes. Question 2, no. Question 3, no. Question 4, no. But it might if — . There, Cutter, you have i t, short and sweet. With the kindest remembrances and regards for you, I am as ever, Faithfully yours, LEVI STOCKBRIDGE. II. Is anything to be gained ? I don ' t believe so many boys are frightened by that one word agriculture as some think ; agriculture would suffer to this extent, that a change would indicate that farming was unpopular, and would have a degrading effect upon those choosing that occupation. I believe the contmued change in courses has had something to do with lack of students. The introduction of nature studies into our public schools will make agriculture more popular. (A New England Farmer.) III. In regard to the questions you ask concerning the name of ' Old Aggie, ' my opinion is that it would seem inexpedient at this late date to change the name. (A Neiv E7igland Farmer.) IV. Is there a name that sounds any better, that is more noble in its significance .- ' There should be more practical work done in instruction as to farming. If a change of name is made, the institution will go flat, so far as any significance to the agriculture of the 19

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University CounciL WILLIAM F. WARREN, S. T. D., LL. D., President of the University. EDMUND H. BENNETT, LL. D., Deaji of the School of Law. BORDEN P. BOWNE, LL. D., Dean of the School of All Sciences. MARCUS D. BUELL, S. T. D., Dean of the School of Theology. HENRY H. GOODELL, M. A., LL. D., President of the Massachusetts Agricultural College. WILLIAM E. HUNTINGTON, Ph. D., Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. I. TISDALE TALBOT, M. D., Dean of the School of Medicine.

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State is concerned. A change of name will not satisfy the farming public. I do not think a student is lost because of the name. ( AJVew England Farmer.) V. Many prospective students, particularly from the farming class, would be lost if a change of name was made. You do not realize the great need of exact scientific knowl- edge relating to agriculture. I am trying to correct the impression that the college turns out mere farm laborers, and I am trying to teach that its objects are to train leaders for life work. When its reputation is made, we will want to copyright its name. Other colleges get students because of the loyalty of their Alumni. (Farmer and Granger.) VI. The vState has already a large number of institutions; to change the name of M. A. C. would be a change of policy and antagonistic to these institutions. The aim of the college should be to make it ' the college of agriculture ' of the United States. [A Nexv England Farmer.) VII. ■ N ' nmber i, yes. It would take away from the agricultural classes the only institution designed distinctively to benefit that calling, upon the success of which depends every other calling. Every other branch of industrial work of any importance has its technical training school. Ahimher 2, no. The instruction now given is thought by many to be too much monopolized in the direction of other callings. farmers are not sending their sons here because they are educated away from the farm rather than toivard it. Other schools and colleges are endowed for training men and women for the industrial callings other than agriculture, and all such would oppose any special State appropriation or endowment to separate courses of study and training now offered by them. Number j, no ; if any students are kept away from the college, it is the farmers ' sons who do not find sufficient inducements in their calling or the training given here to warrant the expense of attending even so cheap a course of study. More sons of farmers are sent to classical colleges than to any otlier institutions. Fotirth, yes; I believe it could. Other institutions should look after the interest and education of the industrial callings other than agriculture. I am sure that the most determined opposition will be met from the farmers and that they will rally to the rescue of the institution. [An Agricultural College Professor.) VIII. ' ■ ' ■First, I believe that the sons of some farmers would be deterred from coming here if the name should be changed. These young men would be those most likely to go back to the farm. Second, certainly it could be as well done, and perhaps would be, but upon the latter point I have some doubts, as there would be a tendency to devote less attention to agriculture. 7y;«-(f, some are very likely repelled by the name; I believe the number is not large, and to be less than the number of those intending to be farmers who would be kept away if the name is changed. Fourth, the college is not educating as many students as we would like to see. I doubt a change in name resulting in any immediate marked increase. The college must live down a certain prejudice and be more thoroughly advertised. [An Agriculttcral College Professor.) IX. First, yes; because the agricultural element of the community would feel itself set aside, and would lose what little interest it now has. Second, so far as instructors and students are concerned, yes ; so far as progress in enlisting the interest and co-operation of the agricultural community. No. Third, yes and no; more students would come if they knew that the institution gave excellent courses in science, of which agriculture is only one of many applications. On the other hand, young men with definite ideas of what they wish to do in these sciences would probably go to some better known institution. MORAL : Offer the best thing of its kind and let people know of it. Fourth, I think not. Perhaps the best according to its lights, but certainly not the best thing possible. {A71 Agriczcltural College Professor.) X. First, the agricultural interests of Massachusetts would suffer through lack of stimulus to the State ' s agricultural interests now given in the name. Second, it is doubt- ful, as with many other institutions where agriculture is taught, if mechanic arts or other subjects not associated with agriculture are taught, agriculture will be gradually relegated