Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1892 [PAGE 195]

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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS. ATTENDANCE.

Twenty-five new students have entered this term, making the entire enrollment so far this year 574, against 519 last year. There are now on duty 40 persons engaged in the actual work of instruction, besides 9 regular employes as clerks, janitors, firemen, etc. Two of the instructors are members of the senior class, temporarily engaged in the preparatory department. For this work other provision should be made another year.

TECHNICAL L E C T U R E S .

At your last meeting authorization was given for the employment of lecturers upon special technical topics before the students of the college of engineering. A good deal of preliminary correspondence was found necessary, and some delay thus occurred; but the course was auspiciously opened Thursday evening, February 25th, by W. L. B. Jenney, of Chicago. His subject was: "Tall Building Construction on Compressible Soils." The lecture was given in the chapel and was attended by about 250 students, besides members of the Faculty and some citizens. The lecture was admirably given, suitably illustrated by charts and lantern slides, and was full of interest for all in attendance. I t is expected t h a t ten lectures will be given in this course, distributed along at somewhat equal intervals during the remaining part of the year. Much pleasure and profit is anticipated from them.

U N I V E R S I T Y E X T E N S I O N WORK.

The University Extension work has also had an excellent and hopeful beginning. Professor Butler gave three lectures upon English Literature in the chapel, and was followed by Professor Forbes with three lectures upon "The Lower Forms of Life." Both of these courses were attended by about 300 citizens and members of the University, all of whom seem to have enjoyed the instruction given. Professor Stratton will give the first lecture of his course this evening. Nine lectures were all t h a t were offered the citizens' organization here by the committee of the Faculty; but a request has been made for more, and Professor Crawford has consented to deliver three upon English Constitutional History. Professor Butler is giving two courses, on Friday and Saturday evenings, at Oak Park and at the Newberry library building in Chicago. Other calls for him have come from Rock Island, Rockford, Farmer City and LaSalle, but it was impossible for him to accept them all this term. Some engagements will be filled by him later. Professor Brownlee was asked to organize a local center at LaSalle, and also to give two readings to help stimulate interest in the work. Now Professor Crawford has accepted an invitation to give a course of lectures at Pontiac.

U N I V E R S I T Y E X T E N S I O N WORK AT T E A C H E R S ' INSTITUTES.

The Faculty, through its committee on University Extension, has arranged for special work in this line for the teachers' institutes, usually held in each county of the state during the summer months. This is not offering ordinary instruction to public school teachers, but is an endeavor to introduce something of the character and quality of university teaching, taking indeed a little of the University itself to the institutes. By this means it is hoped t h a t the latter may be helped and the former recognized to a greater extent than heretofore. Professor Baker has already engaged to give a course at Sullivan.

ACCREDITED SCHOOLS.

Since your last meeting six high schools have been visited by members of the Faculty, and four of them have been placed upon our accredited list. This makes a total of 68 high schools from which their graduates