State Nist . Society
WEEKLY
UNIVERSITY COURIER.
Important Actions Taken by the Board at their Recent Meeting.
At the recent meeting of the Board of Regents which adjourned at 2 a.m. Saturday, the 4th, the appropriation of the University fund to its specific purposes for the year beginning July 1, 1891, was made. Certain other important matters were decided upon.
In the line of appropriations, the library fund was fixed at $5,500 this being $1,000 more than was appropriated last year. In view of the fact that the University has no more money this year than it had last, and that there were many more demands upon the fund necessary to the extension of the various departments of the University, the library comes out very nicely. In the way of additions to the faculty, an assistant is to be appointed in the department of history and sociology. The vacancy in the law department made by the resignation of Hon. Marcus Summerfield is to be filled by a regular assistant, half of whose time shall be devoted to the law department and the other half to the department of American History and Civics. An appropriation was made to provide an instructor in Elocution. Miss Sutliff of the library is appointed card cataloger and will devote her whole time to that important branch of library work. The University will no longer employ a carpenter regularly, but will have its work done by contract. An assistant taxidorist and osteologist is to be appointed.
Three thousand dollars were appropriated for the purchase of apparatus for the department of physics and electrical engineering. This sum will be devoted almost wholly to the extension of the electrical engineering plant. Nine hundred dollars are appropriated for beginning a geological survey of the state, to be under the charge of Prof. Williston. A liberal allowance for illustrative apparatus to be expended by the departments of Greek, Latin, German, French, and English, American History and Civics, and History and Sociology was made. A small appropriation for the issuance of University bulletins containing original research work by university men was made.
The departments of Civil Engineering and Electrical engineering were removed from the regular collegiate department of the University and placed in a school of engineering. This does away with the inconsistency heretofore apparent in the requirements for admission to the regular Freshman class of the University. The schools of music and art were combined, and hereafter will form the single school of music and art. Prof. Penny will thus have charge of the art department of the University as well as of the music.
An important action was that doing away with the present system of minor groups. The second grouping is made the same as the first or major grouping. A circular will be issued by the University explaining and illustrating the possibilities of optional selection under the new rule. A committee on Athletics as appointed consisting of Chancellor Show, Regents Gleed and Scott, who will select the athletic grounds. An appropriation was made to assist paying the expenses of a memorial volume on the occasion of the quarter centennial next June, which volume will include cuts of the five chancellors of the University.
Freshman trigonometry was made a 3-5 term study for all except engineering students, the remaining 2-5 of the term to be given to elementary physics or chemistry or hygiene. The work in astronomy was transferred from the chair of physics to the chair of mathematics. Prof. Miller is thus the professor of mathematics and astronomy. The chair of physics and astronomy was abolished and the chair of physics and electrical engineering was created in its stead with Prof. Blake in charge.
The next meeting of the regents will be held in July.
Communication.
To the Editor of the Courier:
In the last issue of the Courier, at hand, I notice an article on "An Eastern Man" which unworthily criticizes President Elliot, of Harvard, because of some offensive views concerning the west he is alleged to have expressed. The article is as unjust as it is ill-advised. The alleged remark probably had its origin in St. Louis, where President Elliot in an address urged upon the business men of that city the necessity of instructing the masses in the west in economics, and especially in the principles of sound currency. The address as I read it, was sound and truthful, but under the circumstances it may have been somewhat ill-advised. At any rate the good people of St. Louis were exercised over it, and denounced it as snubbery.
As there seems to be some chaffing in K. S. U., it will be proper to correct the false impression that may exist as to President Elliot's views. Soon after he had completed his tour in the west, the President addressed the members of Harvard University, on the relations between Harvard and the west, giving them the benefit of his observations. He told us that he had been well informed concerning the west, and had been prepared to see great improvements in the western educational system, but what he saw surpassed his expectations. The system or primary education was in general superior to that in the east. The high schools and grammar schools were superior in the grade of studies and in facilities for instruction, while their more specialized methods tended more to develop the individuality of the pupils.
In regard to the higher secondary education his remarks were scarcely less complimentary. The western state universities had in twenty years made the progress it had required Harvard two hundred years to make. They had in many important ways closely followed Harvard's lead, and among the universities named as conspicuously illustrating his statements, I am proud to inform you that K.S.U. received honorable mention. Of the students in western institutions, the president gave a favorable opinion, and thought it desirable for Harvard to have more of them. He said, however, that in view of the lack of physical training in western colleges the eastern institutions would in the future turn out men at least equal, if not superior in intellect and physique, which I consider an imminent probability, if the almost criminal neglect of students' health and physical training in K. S. U. may be taken as a fair example of this defect in western institutions.
President Elliot's address displayed fine power of observation and just appreciations and those of the western contingent at Harvard who heard it had every reason to feel jubilant. Western people may perhaps take exception to President Elliot's statement that western people do not rustle and hustle any more than they did in the east. Limited observations of my own, however, lead me to believe that it is true. In the race for wealth Yankee wit and ingenuity is aroused to its utmost capacity, here even more than elsewhere, local conditions demanding more system and less waste in business methods than is necessary in the west.
F. LIDDEKE, Cambridge, Mass., April 3, '91
The Midsummer Night's Dream.
The representation of Shakspele's Midsummer Night's Dream is an undertaking of no small magnitude, and is seldom attempted. In large cities the play is occasionally put on in the most elaborate style, and at a great expense for scenery and costumes. Amateurs naturally are slow to attempt it, but the athletic association has decided to do something startling and out of the usual order of things, and will bring out this play in a manner that will create a genuine sensation. It will be given with the full Mendhlhson music, which as rendered by a full orchestra under the leadership of Prof. J. II. Bell, will be a fine entertainment of itself. The play will be under the management of Miss Georgia Brown, and to say this is to say that it will be a grand success. The spectacular part of the play will be given by over sixty children drilled by Miss Brown in numerous beautiful dances, marches, and songs. The sentimental part will be rendered by a cast of characters of unusual strength, with Miss Georgia Brown as Hermia, Mrs. A. D. Weaver as Helena, Miss Munie Monroe as Hipolyta. Challiss and Whitman play the lovers' parts, A. G. Canfield, Duke Theseus; A. D. Weaver, Egeus. Eva Brown takes the part of Oberon and Virgie McCrory Titania. Little Annie Roche will make an ideal Puck.
The underplot will be rendered in excellent style with John Whitman as Nick Bottom, Abe Levy as Flute, Wever as Quince, Franklin as Sung, Babbitt as Starveling and Diggs as Snout. Special scenery will be painted by Rhoe, and Prof. Blake will introduce a number of novel electric light effects. The costumes will be as nearly historically correct as possible, and will form an important feature in the production of the play. The dates selected are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 23, 24, and 25. Every student should make it a point to attend, and all social events should be postponed during those evenings in order that all may have a chance to witness the most elaborate entertainment by home talent ever attempted in Kansas.
LEGAL NOTES.
The time of meeting of the Kent Club was settled permanently, at 7:30 instead of 1:30 p.m., at the last meeting of the club.
Judge Crozier will lecture in University chapel, under the auspices of the Kent Club, on the subject of "Election of a President," Thursday, April 16, at 8 o'clock p.m. Judge Crozier has occupied the distinguished positions of Judge of the Supreme court of the state. He is at present filling the position of Judge of the Leavenworth district. The lecture is one in which all should be deeply interested. His lecture will undoubtedly be very interesting as well as instructive to all who will avail themselves of the opportunity to hear him. All are cordially invited.
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