124567890123
The Weekly University Courier.
The Largest College Journal Circulation the United States.
Published Every Friday Morning by the
COURIER COMPANY For Kansas University Students.
O. B. TAYLOR, President. | DENT, HOGEBOOM, Secretary
EDITORIAL STAFF:
JOHN A. PRESCOTT, EDITOR-IN-CHIFF.
ASSOCIATE
CHAS. JOHNSON,
F. C. KEYS,
C. M. CHAPLIN,
FRED, LIDDEKE,
HARRY BUCKINGHAM,
BUSINESS MANAGERS:
WILL. A. JACKSON, | S. T. GULMORE
From the Press of P. T. FOLEY.
Entered at the post-office at Lawrence, Kansas,
as second-class matter.
In a recent issue of the Madisonensis, an interesting article upon the manner of selecting speakers for commencement appeared. The substance of the article is as follows: "Within the last few years a number of colleges have changed their method of selecting speakers for commencement. In nearly every case the number of speakers has been restricted,—a necessary result of the growth of the colleges. Another noticeable change is the increasing importance attached to literary ability. The following table, compiled from facts collected by the faculty of Oberlin College and published in the Oberlin Review, shows the present method of selection in several colleges:
COLLEGES.      Schul- atives.     Speakers
METHOD OF CHOICE.
Amherst.       80      8      Scholarship.
Bowdell.        89      10      " and litr ability
Hurrahan.        80      10      "      "
The length of time allowed each speaker is interesting. At Rochester the limit is five minutes. The Iowa State University, Ohio Wesleyan and Wooster, allow eight minutes. At Amherst, Bowdoin, Brown, Syracuse and Wesleyan, the limit is ten minutes, while at Yale from fifteen to twenty minutes are allowed."
Of late the methods of making selections of speakers for commencement day have been a great deal under discussion at American colleges. In most instances this discussion has resulted in an improvement, and has tended to the adoption of rules which aim at a just recognition of scholarship, while preferring speakers who, on account of their literary ability, are capable of making the exercises interestting to the public.
Two of the colleges included in the above list, Ohio Wesleyan and Wooster, still cling to their old practice of permitting all members of the graduating class who wish, to
speak. This custom has only one thing to recommend it; that it insures absolute impartiality and avoids the danger of making anyone feel that his ability has not been duly recognized.
The excercises at these schools must be tedious and tiresome in the extreme, especially at Ohio Wesleyan where they occupy an entire day. Just think of sitting quietly, and all the time maintaining the appearance of close attention and rapt admiration, during sixty-four eight minute speeches, on every subject under the sun from the lofty eulogy on the father of his country, or the profound exposition of the principles and factors of individuality, to the convincing philippic against socialism, anarchism or some other impending public danger. The sensations of relief which the faculty and audience feel when they are all done must be intensely pleasurable.
Four of the colleges named above still continue to make appointments upon the basis of scholarship alone, but they are already beginning to feel the necessity of a change and it will doubtless soon be brought about. Wesleyan on the other hand has gone to the opposite extreme and makes literary ability the only qualification. That this is the best method we cannot bring ourselves to believe. It is doubtless bad policy not to pay some attention to the literary merit of commencement orations, for the program should be made as excellent and as interesting as possible. But on the other hand is it just to totally disregard the claims of the student who for four long years has studied with unabated zeal, and who by conscientious work has won a high place in his class? If his oration should be good in all respects and he should be capable of making a creditable appearance, is it right that his claims should be set aside for the sake of one who has no class standing, but who by neglecting his studies, perhaps for a whole term, has been able to produce a little finer oration? We think not. The very fact that the excellence of the oration is the only test must necessarily lead to much neglect of regular work by those who desire appointments.
Five prominent schools combine elements of scholarship and literary ability in making selections for commencement. This is the method which K. S. U. has chosen. Of course its excellence depends mainly upon the proportions in which the elements enter; but it seems to be the manner of choice at present most in favor. It probably accomplishes its purpose as well as any that can be devised.
Michigan University has met this difficulty in a manner peculiar to herself. Instead of selecting speakers from the graduating class according to some fixed rule and thus pleasing some and dissatisfying others, she invites some prominent speaker or speakers to occupy the time. According to this plan the Seniors take no part in the commencement exercises except to receive their diplomas.
To students who have long looked
forward to their graduation day as the time when they should win glory over their classmates, and at last be permitted to freely display their eloquence to the public, it might be a disappointment to be thus deprived of the opportunity to speak. But nevertheless the plan which Michigan has adopted has many points to recommend it. In the first place it treats all members of the senior class with equal justice before the public. It sends all members of the class forth into the world with an equal recommendation. It substitutes a good lecture which is interesting and instructive to all, for a number of short speeches which are always more or less tiresome both to the people and to the students themselves. Last and by no means least, it relieves the seniors of the nervous strain of a contest, a defeat which is always accompanied by painful feelings of disappointment and chagrin.
ALECTURER on physiology andygiene of considerable note,recently lectured in Lawrence. Comparatively few students attended, not on account of work, for they would have had ample time to hear a literary lecture or a popular play,but because they did not feel, sufficiently interested in the subject. This seems a little singular. Some excused themselves on the ground that the lecturer was a professional crank,since he ridiculed the system of modern education.Making the allowance for the lecturers amusing exaggerations,we must admit that there is a world of truth in what he meant to say concerning modern education. Our system of education is undoubtedly defective in that it pays excessive attention to mental development,to the exclusion of the physical.In practical life we are careful enough to build on substantial foundations,but are inclined to reverse the rule in our so-called culture.
It is self evident that that education is the true one which renders a man most capable of the duties and the enjoyments of life. To be capable, health of body with soundness of mind is essential, and to preserve health, a knowledge of the laws governing the functions of body and mind is a first and indispensable requisite.
The products of true education should be strong and healthy men and women, with vigorous, well-trained intellects. Applying this criterion to our present system of education, what do we find? More pale, haggard faces and stoop-shoulders, enervated bodies come out of the college ordeal than enter it. It would be otherwise were there no defect, for reasonable study is not the cause. We are wont to boast of the efficiency of our courses, and we may well be proud of them when considered from the standpoint of mind culture. There is no end of required studies in language and mathematics, with every opportunity for mental drill. A thorough knowledge of the laws which govern the formation of the syllogism is required as indispensable for every student
who completes a course, yet ignorance of these laws will not seriously affect his thinking, and will entail no evil consequences; but for the study of physiology and hygiene, of the laws of health upon which depend the enjoyments and needfulness of our lives, only optional provisions are made. Professors are horrified at errors in grammar and orthography, which are but trivialties, while the flagrant violations of the laws of health, entailing the fearful consequences of wretchedness and incompetency elicit no horrors. How we reverse the true order of things! It is generally thus with all colleges. Can such a system be too severely criticised. Of course college athletics supplies a certain demand for physical training and is laudable, although its principal object perhaps is to obtain distinction in athletic feats. Athletics, however, are not a part of the curriculum, and does not imply a study of hygiene, though conducive to it; yet much as it is, it is very much a desideratum in our western colleges. But a thorough study of physiology and hygiene should also be required in the curriculum, for men generally do what they know to be best. Mental prodigies supported by physical deformities and wrecks are too common. People educated into invalidity are miserable failures in life.
It is greatly to be regretted that the publication of the Annual has been dropped. Aside from the fact that it would be a source of great pleasure to the students and something to look back to in after years, nothing in the form of a publication would bring the University into greater prominence over the state. An unusually large amount of material has accumulated since the issue of the Cicada. What opportunities would be afforded to the caricaturist! The battle between Prentis and the frats on that memorable December night, 1886; the recent war waged against the fraternity system; the "bomb" affair; the struggle with Phillips on the morning after the Baldwin contest; "Jimmy" Mears and the valiant "tea-kettle" with which he tried to heat the building while the engine-house was in the course of erection; and other subjects too numerous to mention. It is certainly to be deplored that all these stirring events are to be consigned to oblivion because of petty disagreements between the leaders of factions. We notice, however, that in several of the eastern colleges the annuals are issued by the Junior class instead of the fraternities. Would it not be a good idea for the Junior class of K. S. U. to take hold of the matter? A class meeting should be held at once, and the matter considered. By all means let us have an annual.
In the catalogue there is given a list of thirty-nine High Schools in the state which are said to prepare their students to enter the Freshman class in one or more of the four regular courses of the University. We sincerely hope that there are thirtynine High Schools in this state, whose courses are such as to allow their graduates to enter as regular Freshmen here, even with the some what general exception as to part of the language work, but we strongly doubt it, and that from the evidence afforded by the High School graduates themselves.
By authority of the Regents, graduates from these High Schools are, upon their arrival here, immediately classified with the Freshman class, but how many are Sophomores the following year? We believe we are correct in saying that a majority of them remain as Freshmen the second year, and because of lack of preparation.
The standard of the University, as regards students, is being raised every year, but the high school system is not, thus leaving a gap between the common schools and the University, which can only be filled by suitable preparatory schools. Our Sub-Freshman class now fills this gap but it will not be long until this is done away with, and then academies will be absolutely necessary; though perhaps its disappearance will result from the founding of academies, and not be the cause of such founding. Many of the so-called colleges of the state will make fair preparatory schools, but the model school would be an academy with work arranged exactly to the end of preparing its students for the University.
We hope that the next catalogue will be less deceptive with regard to "admission by certificate."
The Science Club does not afford opportunities for forensic and literary exercises, or for parliamentary scuffling. It is of practical use only to those interested in the study of any of the natural sciences, and, indeed, is a necessary supplement to the scientific courses. In its object and practices it is undoubtedly the best society we have. It comprises the best scientific talent in the University, nearly half of the faculty being active members. Last Friday the club-room was filled with an appreciative audience, the program was good and the general discussion of the topics presented was interesting. A new feature was recently introduced into the program, which, if consistently carried out, will add greatly to the effectiveness of the work. At each meeting several papers are read on the lives and scientists who have figured much in progress. The periodicals in mechanical, chemical and biological sciences, are assigned to members specially interested in these studies, and these members are held responsible for presenting to the club all items of value and interest contained in them. In this manner the result of individual reading is presented to the club in a condensed form, the members thus aiding each other in obtaining valuable information concerning the scientific world. Many of the members are studying in special lines, and from time to time present to the club the results of original investigation. The club is doing a good work. All professors and students who are at all interested in science should make it a point to attend and to become working members.
do 1
mon
us, a
To the
Wh
into c
a tenn
old jc
gymm
exerc
game
the l
the yk
know
this d
strong
The experi a suc e every ladies more terest is the well s
In menti
Mr. I
top coni
erect
erected used young the sr to the effortment it wot stittt
Special Invitation to the Young Lady Students to Examine Our Dress
Thory:
cusei
pecia
intere
people
seem
any
not
of the
Œ