Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1886 [PAGE 54]

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46

MINING ENGINEEEING.

Among the reasons given to the Legislature for asking the sums named, is the desire of opening in the College of Engineers a school of Mining Engineering. Most of the work of such a school—its mathematics, chemistry, general engineering, etc.—is already provided for in the other engineering departments. The only step now needed will be the securing of a proper person to take charge of the specialty of mining, the opening and management of mines, The mining interest of the State is a very important one, and is constantly becoming more so. The present laws, which call for mine inspectors, will create a demand for young men trained in this specialty. The school must begin with few students, and be developed as has been the School of Architecture. During its infancy the professor in charge could pe form other duties; the work of the Chair of Physics might very properly be assigned to him. I hope that you will authorize the nomination of a competent scientist to be Professor of Mining Engineering and Physics.

VETEEINABY SCIENCE.

Professor Prentice's resignation leaves the Chair of Veterinary Science vacant. Its relations to the great live stock interests of the State make this an important professorship. I am not yet able to suggest a satisfactory solution of this problem; possibly a lecturer may be found until a suitable appointment can be made, or the chair might be left vacant for the coming year, and those wishing to pursue the subject might wait over one year without serious detriment. On no account, however, would it be wise to drop this subject from the curriculum of the School of Agriculture. On the contrary, it were much better if the Department of Veterinary Science could be so enlarged as to graduate doctors of veterinary science. The subject of human anatomy and physiology does not properly belong to the veterinary professor. It was assigned to him for peculiar reasons several years ago. It is one that Assistant Professor Rolfe has taken great pains to prepare himself in, and I think it may very properly and safely be assigned to him. His work in geology during the past year has been satisfactory. I recommend that he be appointed Assistant Professor of Geology, and that in addition to that subject he have assigned to him anatomy and physiology, and that he continue to teach preparatory physiology and botany.

OTHER INSTEUCTOES

Assistant Professor Sondericker has resigned to become an instructor in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has been a faithful and efficient teacher, with whom we are very sorry to part. I desire to name as his successor Mr. Arthur N. Talbot, a graduate of this University in the class of 1881. Mr. Talbot is well known to us as a student of the first rank and an excellent teacher, proved by good work as tutor of special classes while an undergraduate here. Since his graduation he has been constantly employed in engineering services of high grade, in which he has earned credit for himself and his alma mater. I recommend Mr. Samuel W. Stratton, a graduate of the class of 1884, to be instructor in mathematics in the preparatory department. The indications are that the work of teaching in the machine-shop in the next term will be greater than can possibly be done efficiently by one person. I ask that authority be given to tne Regent to employ an assistant, if one should be needed, at a salary to be fixed by you. Professor Porbes asks that Mr. William H. Garman be appointed assistant in natural history for the coming year. Professor McMurtrie asks that Mr. Geo. C. Hewes be appointed first assistant in chemistry. Authority should be given to the Regent and the Professor of Chemistry to appoint a second assistant if one should be needed. Professor Roos asks that the appointment of Mr. Horace Taylor as assistant in art and design be continued. Miss E M. Hall has resigned her position of instructor in ancient languages. She performed, also, with great fidelity the duties of preceptress. Some arrangement must be made for filling the place, and for appointing an assistant in modern languages. I recommend that Miss Kittie M. Baker be continued as instructor in music on the same terms as before.

EHETOEIC AND ELOCUTION.

It has long been a matter of regret to me that the University has undertaken no general and systematic training of all its students, technical as well as literary, in the arts of writing good English and of expression in speech. The writing of essays has been an exercise required of certain classes and as anT adjunct to certain studies. The work done by the students themselves in their societies, w hile good in intent, reaches less than onethird of their number, and lacks any element of proper control and drill. Errors and mannerism are as likely to be fostered as to be corrected in that discipline. If the funds of the University will allow, I would recommend the appointment of a competent man a s Professor of Rhetoric and Elocution, and that he should be expected to give regular and systematic instruction in the writing of essays, and in other forms of English composition, and in elocution, to all classes in the University courses, under such regulations as the Faculty may provide. I believe that no so important a deficiency exists at .the present time in our organization as this, which this recommendation is designed to supply. I present several applications for appointments.