Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1894 [PAGE 110]

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PROCEEDINGS BOAED OF TRUSTEES.

Ill

tention is asked to the matter of exchanging the old rifles, used here twenty years or more, for better ones as suggested by the inspector.

URBANA, ILLINOIS, May 18, 1893.

To the Inspector General, United States Army, Washington, D. C. (Through Inspector General of the Department.) SIR:—I have the honor to submit the following report of an inspection of the military department of the University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, made this day. As full information in regard to the location, date of establishment, source of revenue, and government of this institution is contained in % my report dated May 15, 1892, repetition herein is not deemed necessary. The University, which is presided over by Thomas J. Burrill, A.M., P H . D . , (acting regent), is non-sectarian and is prepared to teach annually about 900 students. There are thirteen (13) buildings, one of which is a military building. The military department was established in 1868. The course is satisfactory to the faculty. By some students the drill is said to be regarded as irksome; the military professor states, however, t h a t there has been less dissatisfaction this year than during the two preceding years. During the inspection I questioned probably fifty cadets on this subject, and the majority of them expressed themselves as well satisfied with the military department. Standing in military study and drill is placed on record with other class credits. Every male student must make two credits - w h e n practicable during the freshman and sophomore years—one of which is given for two terms of drill and recitations in drill regulations, the other for four terms of drill. Drill practice counts 100 if every drill is attended and all duties well and faithfully performed. Absence, lack of promptness and attention, disobedience, improper uniform, etc., detract from this maximum standing; and any student falling below 75 fails to pass, loses all credit for the entire term, and can not proceed with other studies except by special permission of the faculty. The University authorities are anxious t h a t the military department should be what it ought to be, and, by way of inducement to continue in it, have created military scholarships which are awarded to those attaining the rank of commissioned officers in the battalion, ISTo portion of the income from the land grant is especially set aside for the military feature of the institution, but all requests for financial assistance are granted. The enrollment of students for the present college year is 714—610 males and 104 females. During this (spring) term, the attendance is 444 males and 77 females—total, 521. There are now in the military department 67 sophomores and 101 freshmen—total, 168; all of whom are over fifteen years of age. None of the students live at the University; they all room in the two adjacent towns (Urbana and Champaign). The military professor reports t h a t the discipline of t h e military students, while not satisfactory in all respects, shows a marked improvement over the preceding year. Discipline is maintained by reports, warning, suspension and dismissal. The student is first warned by the military professor;, if second warning becomes necessary within a year after the first, the parent or guardian is also notified; a third warning within a year brings t h e student before the faculty for discipline. The aptitude of the students for military instruction is good. The following are reported to have shown special aptitude for the military service, viz.: M. A. Earl, senior class; F. L. Busey, E. Y. Capps, A. M. Munn, C. W. Noble, H. E. Reeves and W. N. Vance, sophomore class. One cadet, John T. Stewart, has expressed a desire of entering the army as 2nd lieutenant by civilian appointment. He is a member of thi&