Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1894 [PAGE 245]

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246

UNIYEESITY OF ILLINOIS.

PROGRESS DURING T H E Y E A E .

A comparison of the catalogues for these two years will show very large additions to the courses of instruction; much larger in the aggregate than were ever before made in one year. Four new departments have been organized, viz., pedagogy, economics, philosophy, and physical culture for women. Sub-departments in mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering, in chemistry (pharmacy), and zoology (physiology) are important developments of the year, while the offerings in mathematics have been extended from 9 to 18 courses of instruction, and from two to four years' work. The graduate school has received special attention, as shown by a comparison of the announcements in t h e catalogues. There was but a single paragraph in the catalogue of 1892-93, while there are five pages in t h a t of 1893-94. Another step in advance, which promises well, but of which it is too early to speak further than to announce, is the organization of a summer school as a part of university -instruction. A model school for the department of pedagogics has also been planned under your direction, and recommendations of teachers are to be presented to you. The preparatory school has been reorganized and placed under the charge of a principal. I t was also provided with separate quarters. The course now announced is for two years, instead of one as heretofore. This change is believed to be a very important one, but it introduces an element of much uncertainty in regard to the number and kind of teachers needed for the coming year. The principal thinks there should be six teachers besides himself, as follows: One for algebra, one for geometry and history, two for English, one for physiology, botany, and zoology, and one for Latin and Greek, leaving physics for himself. F u r t h e r information upon this will be given, if desired, and names of candidates for teachers may be submitted. The following communication is self-explanatory, and I take pleasure in presenting it to you.

URBANA, I I I . , May 29, 1894.

Dr. T. J. Burrill DEAR SIR: I desire you to express to the board of trustees my heartfelt gratitude for the kindness it has shown to me and my fond hope to return to my work in a condition to do good work. Very respectfully,

E. SNYDER.

Assistant Professor Myers asks a leave of absence of One year beginning September 1, 1894, in order t h a t he may better qualify himself by study elsewhere for his duties at the University. I t is his purpose to spend the year in the study of mathematics and astronomy at one of the eastern universities, or in Europe. This is commendable enterprise and laudable ambition, and it is well worth while for the University to suffer some inconvenience for the time being in t h e assurance of benefits to follow.

MILITARY D E P A R T M E N T .

During his four years of effective service and helpful experience in t h e military department, Captain Hills has found some things which he thinks would, if adopted, benefit the department, and he has addressed to me the communication which is herewith submitted. His recommendations meet the approval of Professor Snyder, who, as t h e former commander of the battalion, and since an active member of the military committee of the faculty, is abundantly qualified to advise in the matter. I t is exceedingly pleasant to inform you t h a t as a token of their good will and high esteem the members of the battalion presented Captain Hills, at the Hazleton prize drill, with aa elegant gold watch, suitably engraved. This fact in itself has little importance, but as an indication of the great change during the last few years in the a t t i t u d e of the students toward military affairs, it does have deep significance.