Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1888 [PAGE 30]

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PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

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The continued absence of the professor of agriculture could not be permitted, but for the assistance of Mr. Hunt, who has conducted the class work while Professor Morrow was away. Mr. Hunt has done this work in a manner creditable to himself and serviceable to the classes.

T H E COLLEGE O F E N G I N E E R I N G .

A few changes in the order of subjects, and in their assignment to instructors were made necessary, in order that the work of the new school, that of mining engineering, could be arranged. Thi» has given the instruction in analytical mechanics, formerly by Professor Baker, and in resistance of materials, formerly by myself, to Assistant Professor Talbot. Professor Baker takes the subject of topographical surveying, and has extended his course in bridge construction. The descriptive astronomy, formerly by Professor Baker, is assigned to Mr. Stratton. The number of students in the course of mining engineering is not yet large, but is steadily increasing, and the whole of the curriculum in that school will soon be in operation. The class in physics has been divided, both on account of its numbers, and because the division permits a better adjustment of the work to the students of different courses or schools. It is expected that when the additional electrical apparatus now provided for shall be received^ we shall be able to block out a course of instruction in electrical engineering, which shall be an adjunct to the course of mechanical engineering, or an option which may take the place of part of it. It is hardly possible, or desirable to add it to either of our engineering courses, all which are already replete to overflowing with work. It is an evident error to suppose that one student may become expert in all sciences. It isequally an error to expect that a young man of rural or of city training, coming to us at sixteen to twenty years, can in four short years, become master of all the intricacies of any of the engineering professions. It is a mistake often made by professors, earnest in the development of a specialty,, which crowds too many subjects, often of mere detail, into an undergraduate course. The tendency is to a neglect of principles, to a confusion of ideas, and to a real weakening of the student, under the specious guise, of giving him greater stores of knowledge. Besides this the tendency is to allow technical studies to crowd out collateral work of general culture, fully as important to the proper development of the student, and which should by no means be overlooked. Said a distinguished engineer at the Ann Arbor meeting of the American Association for theAdvancement of Science: ''Do not try to teach your students too many things. Ground them thoroughly in principles, and leave the details for future gathering." It is very probable, that any student who graduates from college, will find ti at he has to learn some new things, and some things anew, before ne is exactly adjusted to the peculiar line of work that he finds for his employment. In connection with this college, I am impelled to make some remarks, concerning the extended use of blue-print copies of drawings and lectures. This has come into use gradually, until now from 25,000 to 30,000 pages of blue-prints are made annually. There is great difference in the quality of the work done in preparing the sheets, many being very indistinctly printed. It serves a purpose, in. that it brings the work of the teacher to his class in a gwase-text-book, and saves the pupil much time in taking and transcribing notes. The labor of preparing the copies on the part of the instructor is something, and has already come to be a matter of complaint; yet it cannot be so much as is required in preparing manuscript and reading the many proofs made in the preparation of a printed book. It appears to be the duty of an instructor to put his matter in such a shape that it can most readily be secured by his class. But I am becoming more and more convinced, as the years pass, that the constant use of blueprint lectures is very deleterious to the eyes of .the students. Year after year, students come with* complaints of weak eyes, and many have been forced on this account to leave study temporarily and some permanently, on account of failure of eyesight, and almost always these students are from the schools which require a large use of the blue-print. I believe that some other form of manifolding of lectures should be adopted. 1 do not know that any action by way of rule should be taken, but 1 feel under obligation to put myself on record in this matter.

T H E COLLEGE OF NATURAL SCIENCE.

The most notable item concerning this college, is the effort now in progress to bring to the* Uuiversity the State Collection of Natural History, now in the State Capitol at Springfield. The movement to do so, originated with the State officials, especially the Secretary of State, the State Geologist, and the State House Commissioners. The Geological part of the collection is very much needed here, as we have very little to illustrate the geology of the State of Illinois. If the movement is not successful, it will be because of the local opposition which desires to keep the collections as part of the elegant attractions of the State Capitol. In the subjects of zoology, biology, physiology, and geology, as taught in this college, noteworthy progress has been made, so that these subjects are acquiring a vigor and force comparable to the work of the college of engineers. This has been effected by the introduction of improved methods of work, aided bv the better equipment for laboratory purposes. For a while yet, except in the school of chemistry, the attendance in the college of natural science will be small, and will be restricted to those for whom natural history offers peculiar attractions, and who expect to teach such subjects. The enlarged opportunities will doubtless gather gradually increased number of students..

T H E COLLEGE OP L I T E R A T U R E A N D SCIENCE.

To one who scans the whole range of work done at this institution, the conclusion seems unavoidable, that just here is the place where earnest and combined effort is now needed. Without charging blame upon any one, ar.d recognizing that the result is one mainly due to circumstances, which we have hitherto been but slightly able to control, it must be said that this department is now that which most needs to be built up Among the causes of the existing condition: of things, I count first: