Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1876 [PAGE 139]

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These documents, might, perhaps, sufficiently answer the inquiries of the board, but the interest that has been expressed in many quarters in regard to this experiment in College government, leads me to present a fuller account of the origin, progress, and results of it thus far. In the term of 1870, after much reflection, and with the concurrence of the Faculty, I determined to make the experiment to test the power and willingness of the students to constitute and administer a government over the dormitory building. I knew that such an experiment had been successful in several schools in Europe and in this country, though these were all family or boarding schools in which all the pupils lived under the same roof, and were generally of younger age than our students. At the time mentioned the number of students attending the University was about and a majority roomed in the Dormitory Building where also all the recitations were held. These students averaged perhaps about 20 years of age. One morning in chapel a short address was given to the students, tendering the opportnnity to organize a government for their own control. They were reminded that as citizens of a country boasting self government, it was peculiarly important to them to learn to govern themselves ; that they were as much concerned in the good order of the University as were the Trustees or Faculty ; that they could often detect and prevent or punish mischief more easily than any College Faculty could do the same ; that it would be a great honor and advantage to them to carry on this government if it succeeded. They were also reminded that it would cost time, thought, and no little backbone and perseveranee to carry this business through ; that it was too important a matter to allow any child's play either in assuming or perpetuating this government. They were then invited to take the matter into consideration and talk it over carefully among themselves for a few days when a vote would be taken upon the question. A few mornings later the vote was taken and showed a unanimous desire to undertake the proposed responsibility. A committee was appointed to draft a constitution and some laws. These were finally adopted and the government went into active operation under a President and Council. All laws were to be voted by the General Assembly of the students. The government was, on the whole, a success. Much of manliness and good sense wTas exhibted by the leading students, and comparative good order prevailed. It was, however, not without opposition and occasional failures. > Sometimes the officers chosen were destitute of the needful ability or grew negligent in their duties, but a few words of reminder or encouragement spoken in chapel usually served to rouse them, and the government thus reinforced went on again. The only penalties administered were fines, and only twice before the last term were the Faculty obliged to interfere, and to tell delinquents they must pay their fines or leave the University. Once or twice serious collisions were threatened between the Students' Government and the Faculty on some question of conflicting authority, but a candid appeal to common sense composed the trouble and left the two parties good friends. When the new building was opened and a large increase of students appeared, it was found inconvenient to discuss all proposed laws before the General Assembly, and a new Constitution was adopted providing for a Senate of 21 members, to whom all legislative power was committed, subject to the veto of the Regent. The framing of the Constitution was not without difficulties. It involved a large extension of the territory and scope of the Government, and was preceded by a carefully prepared resolution of the Faculty formally delegating the power of Government to the students, but reserving the right to resume it whenever the students should fail to exercise it wisely and satisfactorily. A few students were disposed to resist this necessary provision, and to demand full and irrevocable authority, but the wiser ones easily saw that the Faculty could have no right thus to make a final abdication of the powers and duties conferred upon it by the Trustees. With the new constitution, the Students' Government gained a large increase of dignity and influence. Its elections, conducted with regular polls and printed ballots, have been spirited and have generally resulted in the choice of good and efficient officers. Its Senate has occupied much less time than many an older legislature in mere partisan and useless debate, and have conducted their law-making not only with Parliamentary order, but with a general, wholesome regard to the public good. Only in two instances has the Regent been obliged to interpose his veto. The court consisting of a Chief Judge and two associates, has managed its administration of justice with much dignity and with a fairness which has left little ground of complaint with its decisions. Looking at the general result, the experiment has proved successful. It is not meant by this, that it has, in all cases and to the fullest extent, answered its ends. No h u m a n government does. There have been occasional violations of its laws left unpunished, and breaches of good order, which it has either not detected or not suppressed, incompetency and unwisdom have sometimes got into office, and fickleness and favoritism have sometimes been shown in administration. But these have been the exceptions, not the rule. Few colleges can show a record of more uniform good order, and none can show a body of students among whom self-respect and a general regard for the public good and for the honor and prosperity of the institution more largely prevail. Few college faculties would have managed affairs more wisely, and none, perhaps, more successfully. It is not denied that the plan has its dangers and defects. Sometimes the spirit of independence and the love of power tend to excess, and would if unchecked usurp the proper work and authority of the faculty, and sometimes the machinery seems cumbrous, occupying the time of many to do in a formal and tardy maner some act of justice which a single ruler would finish with a word. In other terms the government would sometimes seem in the way of some sharp, energetic and despotic President or Professor. But if the training of the students in the principles and practice of public justice, in the duties of citizenship and in self-government, is of any value, then evils and defects of this government may easily be tolerated in consideration of the advantages gained. • I may add that a somewhat wide spread interest has been excited among educators by this experiment and its results are watched for with some solicitude. With a continued care and attention on the part of the authority, and a generous encouragement of the efforts of the students, I have full confidence in its success. J. M. GREGORY, RtaenU