Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1894 [PAGE 216]

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PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

MILITARY DEPARTMENT.

217

Perhaps no other division of the University so sensitively indicates the general spirit prevailing within itself as does t h a t of the military department. I t will be remembered by all how much trouble was formerly found in the conduct of its affairs, not arising from friction growing out of its own organization, but from ferment and disorder otherwise.. With so large a number of persons as are required to drill, it is not expected t h a t every one shall be altogether satisfied and fully ready to do his whole duty, but there certainly is now exceedingly little of which to complain. Compared with last year, to go no further back, there is an evident and hopeful improvement. More interest is manifested and much less compulsion is required in regard to attendance and attention. I n this connection I submit a report of the committee of the faculty, on military affairs, to which was referred by you t h e matter of a change in the uniform of the band, together with petitions bearing 271 signatures of students for some change in uniforms for the cadet companies. Before leaving this subject it should be said t h a t there are 8 military scholarships to be provided for, at $22.50 each, and an appropriation of $180.00 is asked for t h a t purpose. A request by Captain Hills for a small appropriation, found later among other similar matters, is commended to your attention.

PHYSICAL CULTURE FOR WOMEN.

So far as class requirements and credits are concerned, the military instruction and practice are treated just as are other subjects. For the completion of the whole of the compulsory military course of two years, two term credits are allowed. In case of excuse from these military requirements, on account of physical disability or otherwise, young men are obliged to make up these two credits, and for this purpose they may choose two terms' work in any subject or subjects taught in the University, but young women are allowed to graduate with two less credits than men. In view of t h e fact, universally admitted, t h a t young women are greatly benefited by proper physical training, and further t h a t the opportunity for such instruction now exists, the faculty recommends, in respect to requirements and credits, t h a t physical training for women be placed upon the same basis as are military instruction and practice for men, and t h a t for men and women the same graduating conditions be made. This recommendation is now made with the understanding t h a t the requirements should be published in the forthcoming catalogue, to take effect at the beginning of next year. The only serious trouble anticipated in executing this idea is the difficulty, owing to the complexities of the daily program of exercises, of finding any really suitable hour in the day when the young women can assemble at the gymnasium. They can do this at the time the men drill, i. e., from 4 to 5 p. m., and, if the requirement is made, this hour will in all probability have to be accepted for t h e purpose. Even at this hour the drill is felt to be very much in the way of sufficiently extending the daily program to meet the increasing necessities of the subjects. As it is now, nearly all other class work must cease at 4 o'clock each day, when otherwise it might be extended to 6 o'clock. At some similar institutions the difficulty is avoided by having drill only upon Saturday, and in others by having it from 12 to 1 o'clock, followed by dinner at the latter hour. The matter is full of difficulties not easily overcome, but an arrangement can be made for women as easily as for men.

CHAPEL.

The time now set for t h e chapel exercises also interferes with better arrangements for classes. Many of the classes require two or three consecutive hours, and for these we now have but two forenoon periods of