UIHistories Project: A History of the University of Illinois by Kalev Leetaru
N A V I G A T I O N D I G I T A L L I B R A R Y
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Repository: UIHistories Project: Book - History of the University (Nevins) [PAGE 334]

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INTELLECTUAL CUBIOSITY

313

Chicago and other papers made sensational use of such affairs, and they hurt the University all over the State, so that steps by the authorities were determinedly taken to end them. In this the Union assisted, and one class tried to tame the celebrations by providing a "celebration u r n " on Illinois Field—which was almost totally ignored. This tradition, too, was gradually forgotten, and the present celebrations combine vigor with orderliness. As for scholarship, the best Students are the women, and to explain this we need not discuss the mooted point of mental and temperamental differences between the sexes. Eelatively few women are forced to be selfsupporting ; they may sidestep distasteful courses, which few men can do; the vast majority go to college because of an interest in college work, while many young men are sent by their parents. The University athletes prove as good students as the average, and in general, attacks on undergraduate activities will find little basis in a study of scholastic marks at Illinois. It has clearly been shown that club members, debaters, student journalists, the officers of the cadet regiment, of the Union, and of the Christian Associations, hold better positions in their clashes than those who do not enter such activities. This is undoubtedly because of their superior mental attainments, and it is true that they could better their work if they stayed out of the more engrossing pursuits. But it may be believed that a middle course is best, and that while the poorest students have little • to do with college activities, and the very best also are interested in little outside of college work, those who engage moderately in extra-curriculum affairs obtain the broadest college training;| The chief reason for wishing that student life were less highly organized is that

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