Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1869 [PAGE 76]

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and but for the false charges which were made against the University before it had put in operation a single plan or done a single day's work, it seemed certain to open with at least 200 or 300 students. There is evidence that many were diverted from their purpose of coming by these mischievous asr saults. But notwithstanding all opposition, the first term shewed an attendance of seventy-seven students. The second or autumn term opened with a considerable increase of numbers. The entire number who have entered up to the present time is 136. The distribution of the students in the several courses cannot be precisely stated, since many have been engaged in preparatory studies, and many have not decided upon their course. It is believed that nearly one-third of the whole number are looking to the agricultural course. Several are entering the mechanical course, while others are pursuing engineering or commercial courses. The instruction was given in the spring term by four instructors, the Regent, Professors Baker and Atherton, and Assistant Professor Burrill. There are now actually employed beside the Regent, three Professors and three Assistant Professors, representing the departments of History, English Language, Chemistry, Agriculture, Botany, Mathematics, Book-keeping and Modern Languages. Besides these, there are two lecturers, one on Pomology, Dr. John A. Warder, of Cincinnati, and one on English Literature, Rev. Edward Eggleston, of Evanston. Professor Powell, appointed by the Board to the chair of Natural History, has tendered his resignation on account of his continued detention with his expedition. I communicate herewith his letter of resignation and also that of Professor Atherton. It is important that several additions be made to the Faculty before the opening of the next year, in September. The chairs of Horticulture, Mathematics and Mechanics, and either a professor of Natural History or one or two lecturers in this department should be chosen. A lecturer on Geology and another on Zoology, each spending a month with us in the winter term, would sufficiently reinforce those departments of study for the present. A lecturer on Yeterinary Science should also be appointed at an early day. I recommend that the Committee on Faculty and Courses of Study be instructed to recommend suitable persons to fill these places, and employ temporarily such teachers as may be needed before the next meeting of the Board.

STUDIES.

According to the plan of the University the students have been left entirely free to select their own studies. These students are not mere boys, but mostly grown men, many of them having been engaged in teaching or other independent business for their own support. They are competent judges of their own tastes and needs. To attempt to impose any study upon them without their consent would be simple oppression, and to refuse them any study the law requires us to teach would be equal oppression. Most of the students have studied during the year some branch of Natural Science, as Natural Philosophy, Chemistry or Botany. Many have studied Book-keeping, English Composition, History, and all have either studied or