Carry M . Watson
THE UNIVERSITY COURIER.
Published weekly at the University of Kansas.
VOL. XII.
LAWRENCE, KANSAS, APRIL 19, 1894.
The Courier is published every Thursday during collegiate year by the University Courier Publishing Co.
Subscription $1.00 per year in advance. single copies 5 cents.
No. 22.
Address all communications and contributions to the editor-in-chief; all business communications to the business manager, and subscriptions to the circulator. Lawrence, Kansas.
Entered at the Lawrence postoffice as second-class matter.
F. E. BUCHAN, Editor.
FRANK BOWKER, Local Editor.
E. W. PALMER, Literary and Exchange Editor.
ROLLA MITCHELL, Athletic and Amusement Editor.
E. P. LUFFER, Managing Editor.
C. R. TROXEL, Business Manager. L. S. CHAMBERLAIN, Circulator. A. B. BATES, Treasurer.
We noticed last week in the editorial column of the Students Journal an article containing some questionable advise to the Freshmen regarding the erection of a class pole and the hoisting of its colors on May Day. The Journal's advise is for the Freshmen to do nothing of this kind but to go off where nobody will see or hear them and dig a hole in the ground. Just what significance a hole in the ground would have in this connection we know not, but the article itself arouses us to an appreciation of the status of University enthusiasm and loyalty. There is not an institution of half the size in the country where there is as little college spirit or as little support given to University enterprises as in the University of Kansas. It makes but little difference whether the enterprise be athletic literary or social, never more than a third of the student body can be counted on for support. Perhaps the most apparent of all is the lack of class spirit and enterprise. In nearly every University of the standing of K. U. each class has some recognized custom or event which is carried out each year with energy and enthusiasm. This may be a Junior prominade, a Sophomore contition, a Freshman bowl rush, or a dozen similar fetes, yet the same enterprise, enthusiasm and pride is manifested by every member of the class. The only thing K. U. has ever had that makes any approach to a class event is a friendly skuufle on May Day, that has done all that has been done in the way of stirring up a little spirit of loyalty and enterprise among the students. Why this harmless practice should be abolished we fail to see. It may be argued that we come to the University to study. True, but all the knowledge in the world is to be found in the library. And a few hours each day spent in getting a hold of that spirit of enthusiasm and loyalty that should sourround every University student while at college will not seriously impair a students ability for work, but will serve as an impetus in work as well as open many of the pleasant and trivial things in college life. It is not necessary for you to be an athlete to take and interest and lend your support to athletic events. You do not need to be a Ward McAllister to at least know what is going on in University Society. Because you are not a Webster you need not shun the literary or debating societies. If you will attend the different University meetings, your own class meetings (if by chance there should be any.) Let your voice be heard at the athletic games, your presence be noticed at the receptions, and your name appear upon the programe of the literary societies you will find there is a good deal more to the University life than you had any idea of. But little interested has been manifested on the part of the
student body in base ball this spring. We have had no games as yet it is true, but what assurance has the management that the students will turn out and support its efforts when a game is arranged for. If the 500 students of the University could be relied upon there would be no trouble in securing plenty of good games. Let us have four good class teams and a game every Wednesday and Saturday afternoon; let every student lay aside his or her books and come out to McCook field and manifest some interest in the success of his or her class and when the "varsity" plays a game let every member of the University turn out and yell Rock! Chalk! with a vim that will show the team their work is appreciated and it will soon be manifest that we can have as good a base ball team as any body. And that the team will have all the games they can find time to play. But to return to our first subject. We will say to the Freshmen don't go off and dig a hole in the ground. Put your pole up in the most conspicuous place. Hoist your flag and yell '97 until '96 shuts you up. And '95, open your Rip Van Winkle eyes and lets hear from you before '94 gets too tired and blaze to respond.
THE Emporia College Life has been devoting about two columns a week to the question, "What is Plagiarism?" It seems useless to define when one can hear, but perhaps the editors didn't attend the state contest. - Topeka Journal.
WHAT has become of the idea of our Inter-Fraternity League? Why not make out a complete schedule of games and commence on it at once. At least four Fraternities have signified their willingness to play ball. So lets have some games.
THERE seems to be a good deal of talk about a joint debate between the Adelphic Literary Society and the new debating club. Is it not about time some definite arrangements were being made? School will be out in about a month, and if something is not done pretty soon, this, like a good many commendable enterprises talked of in University circles, will have fallen through. Much interest would be taken in a joint debate of this kind, and it will also serve as good practice for a joint debate with Nebraska State University should one be arranged.
The recent action taken by the Board of Regents in changing the name of the School of Music to that of Fine Arts, in appointing Prof. Farrell assistant in voice culture, and especially in giving art students the privilege of taking optional work in this department, will certainly do much to build up and improve this department of the University. The last provision will, no doubt, prove a great source of convenience to those students pursuing a course of study in the School of Arts who have or intend taking work in the Fine Arts. We congratulate Prof. Penny, the efficient Dean of the School, and wish him yet greater success in his work.
THERE seems to be some movements toward establishing the custom of wearing University Penant. We gladly encourage this and hope that some particular design may be adopted as the official University emblem for the sake of uniformity. Why not call a mass meeting for this purpose? The editor has several very pretty designs sent him for the inspection of the students and he will be glad to show them to any interested in the matter.
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