Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1886 [PAGE 93]

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Professor Joseph C. Pickard's work in English languages and literature is as follows: (Paper K.) Professor James D. Crawford gives the following account of the work in History and Ancient Languages. Miss losephine A. Cass, assists in English and Ancient Languages. and acts as preceptress. (Paper L.) The recommendations concerning a course of general instruction in the writing and speaking of English, under the general terms Rhetoric and Oratory-—made in June last, and very cordially approved by you, have been quite successfully put into practical operation. After an extended search for the right man who should undertake this laborious and delicate task selection was made of Professor James H. Brownlee, of the Southern Normal University, and he entered upon the discharge of his duties at the opening of the winter term. As might be expected the term has been employed to considerable extent in exploring the field. It has not been intended to interfere with the specific work of the course in English language in the School of Literature and Science. But a course has been arranged for all students of all courses, extending through the entire University curriculum. Each class is divided into manageable sections, and each section meets the professor once each week. The work of composition is explained and illustrated: items are assigned; the written productions are carefully criticised, partly in public, partly in private, in such a way as to effect the sensibilities least, and to teach results and methods best; the papers are rewritten, and the whole result carefully noted and recorded. The new departure has been very well received by the students, and even those who were at first naturally repelled by the nature and required character of the work have been led to acquiesce and approve by the judicious methods and management of the instructor. The work of theme writing is to be carried through the freshman and sophomore, years. In the junior and senior years the art of expression will receive attention. It is not expected, it is not desired to teach elocution as that subject is now popularly understood and taught. We want no stage rant, and no tickling of the funny bone; none of the cheap and common tricks that bring down the house. We hope to train the students of the University, with success varying with individual capacity, in two things; first, to write what they know in plain, clear and intelligible Englisn; second, to say what they have to say in a style at once unassuming and lucid, in an upright and manly way. These exercises have been successfully begun. It might be an aid and may perhaps prevent any question from arising if you should in some way formally voice the wish which so many of you have privately expressed that all students should take part in the work, i

THE ADDITIONAL SCHOOLS OF INDUSTRIAL AKT AND OF MILITARY SCIENCE.

In the absence of a report from the Professor of Industrial Art, I shall be obliged to make such a report as comes from my own knowledge of that work. It has come to be recognized that all education, and especially all technical education, requires the development in each individual ot some degree of the art of representing, by drawing, things which exist in fact for the sense of sight. I need not remind you of the essential service rendered by drawing, in its various methods, to all branches of technical and applied science. When for a season, some years ago, the Trustees of this University saw fit to close the Department of Art, the need of the technical schools were soon seen to be such as required the re-opening of this form of instruction without delay. I have now to speak, as I have always spoken, with unqualified praise of the abilities of Professor Roos,as an instructor in Elementary Drawing and of Industrial Art. This work, which he can so well perform, is that which the University now needs. Drawing with the pencil, pen, chalk, or crayon—from the flat, the round, from objects animate and inanimate, is an art indispensable to the student in agriculture, in chemistry, in engineering, in natural history, with and without the microscope—indeed every child who learns to write should also learn to draw. To some extent modeling in clay, and sketching in color is also valuable. All these forms of free drawing are wanted here as co-laborers with the work of other departments, and all these forms have been and are successfully treated and taught here. It has been my opinion, as I have understood it to be your wish, that the extent of art instruction here should, for the present at least, have this scope, and practically this limitation. It does not seem feasible, nor even desirable, at the present stage of this University that an art school, in the higher and specific use of the woid, should be inaugurated here. The oil painting that is practised, is only permitted, and should not be allowed to usurp the time and strength of the instructor which is needed upon other lines of art work which while they may be less artistic have yet a more practical and industrial value. I regret to say that the interests and ambitions of the instructor, natural enough and laudable enough in themselves, have tended to lead him away from the elementary lines of instruction which are more important because more needed by the students of the University. The communication from Professor Roos, laid before you at your last meeting and by you referred to the Faculty for consideration and report, has received careful attention. It was first referred to a committee, consisting of the Regent and the Deans of the several colleges: this committee after extended deliberations reported unanimously to the Faculty, and its report, adopted by the Faculty with but a single dissenting voice, will be presented to you in its proper place. The Regent desires to add that in his opinion Professor Roos' real merits are fully appreciated; and that in his appropriate and legimitate sphere, he will continue to receive, as he has always had, the cordial and earnest support of the Regent and the Professors in all the schools of the University. The report of Lieut. Charles McClure, 18th Infantry, U. S. A., detailed by the Secretary of War as Military Instructor at this University, gives a brief account of the work of that department. Professor McClure's detail will expire with the close of the current year. Suitable recognition of his valuable services will be made at the proper time. (Paper M.)