Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1888 [PAGE 134]

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REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OE INSTRUCTION.

137

in all the engineering courses are constant throughout. Professor Bicker's work in architecture, which occupies a dual relation to art and to engineering, continues a healthy and progressive development. The students in this department have never been so numerous, while those that have graduated are practicing their profession with credit and success. Professor Kicker has been relieved somewhat by Professor Talbot, but there is constant need for a competent assistant in this department.

THE MILITARY DEPARTMENT

is in good hands. Lieutenant Hoppin shows himself an officer of discretion, tact, and force. We are fortunate in this detail from the regular army.

THE PREPARATORY CLASS

has been taught by Mr. Boyer, and by Professors. Bolfe, Butler and Brownlee, and Mr. Bggert. There are reasons for wishing that another year of preparatory work could be provided. For the older students who need such instruction, the one year serves a very fair purpose, and the time is all they can afford. They get broken into our way of work, and become accustomed to our methods of instruction, and they make ultimately the very best students we have. For the younger boys the case is different. The time is too short. The work is too hard. They get discouraged, drop out, and in some cases are probably prevented from acquiring the larger education that they ought to receive. I t would not be easy to harmonize the two elements. The course is really intended to provide for the older class of students named, for whom there is no adequate provision elsewhere. The younger should not come here, but should find in the abundant and excellent high schools of the State arrangements much better suited to their needs than any which the University can give. A longer preparatory course could not be properly administered without a separate building, on the academic plan, with a fall and separate corps of teachers. This, again, would bring the institution into a position of competition with the other agencies which the public funds now support, and would be foreign from its original and normal purpose.

THE ACCREDITED SCHOOLS.

More interest is developing in this relationship than I have before seen. Many applications are coming in from schools whose officers desire them placed upon the list. Since the opening of this term the following named schools have been inspected and approved: Waverly, Pekin, Bock Island, Moline, Freeport, Bockford, Watseka, Lincoln, Jerseyville; and others are yet to be visited. Beports of progress have been asked from all those now on the list, and the answers have been received and tabulated. A U. I—10.