Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1876 [PAGE 126]

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126

The instruction in Modern Languages has been given in two classesin French and three in German. The beginning class in Gei German being too large in numbers had to be divided. Lan. The class rolls were as follows : ~" " 3 rolls Fall Term. Winter Term. Spring Term. Advanced French 11 9 7 Beginning French 33 23 19 Advanced German 29 23 18 Beginning German 55 51 46 Good work has been done in the classes. Students seem more to appreciate the fact, that besides t h e practical utility of the acquisition of the idiom, a good deal of linguistic general drill may be given in the study of these languages—and willing to do thorough work. I would also respectfully report that by an act of the General Assembly of the State of Illinois, a compensation had been voted for the services of the I. I, U. Battalion at the Chicago fire, in 1871. The students, all but 19 of whom had graduated and .left, were written to and apprised of the fact, and have most all donated the amounts coming to them to the Military Department, to be expended in the fitting and fixing up of the University Drill Hall. (Re s olution passed and subscribed enclosed.) I have drawn on my Pay Roll from the State Treasury the awarded amount, $4.00 each, for myself and 122 students actually on duty (23 students could not be found, and 3 had died, lor whom nothing can be drawn) together $492. After remitting to the ten who had called foi their amounts, I hold the sum of $453 for the purpose aforesaid. The drill hall has been left with bare walls and rafters, when the Mechanical and Military Building was furnished, owing to the insufficient amount of the State appropriation, and the paramount necessity to furnish fully the machine shops. It answers its purpose as it is, but I believe that appearance and neatness of a place has a great deal of influence upon young men, and would have asked and intended to ask several times for appropriation for plastering and painting, had not the funds been in so great demand always and for purposes more needed than this. The generosity of mv former pupils has thus made possible a wish long entertained by me, and I respectfully ask thatVie Board of Trustees fill the a m o u n t donated by the students to $600 with and within which sum I will have the hall painted, fitted up, etc., during the coming vacation. Very respectfully, E. SNYDER, Col. Commanding I. I. U. Batt. ENGLISH L I T E R A T U R E . CHAMPAIGN, J u n e 2,1875.

HON. J. M. GREGORY, Regent:

In compliance with the rule of the Board of Trustees, the following report is respectfully submitted : The course of instruction in English Literature during the past year has been substantially that laid down in the catalogue. Whole number of pupils taught 200 Average " " " 145 By terms and classes as follows : Freshmen. Freshmen. Sophomores. Juniors. A. B. First term 48 52 55 16 Second term 38 46 50 20 Third term 33 43 30 11 The Freshman class was so large that it recited in two divisions, so that my recitation hours have been four daily, as shown above. Essays germane to the course have been required frequently, especially of the Freshman class. Almost without exception my -pupils have been diligent and interested in their work ; and fair progress has been made by the several classes. Their great regularity in at: end ance has been to me a source of much satisfaction. Three of the classes have been so large, the most of the year, that our work has been less efficient than it would otherwise have been. Moreover, some who were admitted proved to be quite inadequately prepared. More books of reference are greatly needed, in addition to those reported last winter (of which none have as yet been purchased). I could now add the Bible, with Apocrypha and Concordance, and Ellis' Early English Pronunciation. J. C PICKARD. R E P O R T OF T H E SCHOOL OF C I V I L ENGINEERING.

To EMERY COBB, ESQ., President Boari of Trustees, Illinois Industrial University : SIR—The past year has been a successful one. A few of the classes have not been so largely attended as in previous years, owing to the decreased demand for railroad work, in consequence of the panic. During the Spring term, however, the classes were full, some fuller than usual, and the prospect is for large classes next year. Six from the Sophomore and Junior classes have been appointed to positions on the lake survey, in plat e of one last year, and others have obtained profitable employment. I have confidence in all these, that they will do themselves and their University credit and give satisfaction to their employers. The graduates have usually found satisfactory employment. Of the present class of three Seniors, one goes on the Central Pacific Railway, and the others expect employment on lines nearer home. In consequence of the assistance give'n by Mr. Baker the work has been better done this year than before, and some classes which could not be held in previous years have been taught this year, viz: the class in Engineering and Drawing and two classes in Astronomical Field Practice. Two other classes will probably be necessary next year, and it will soon be necessary to have an Assistant who will devote his whole time to the work in this school.