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Caption: Book - History of the University (Powell)
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First Years of Work 827 In order to stimulate interest in the studies for which the university was especially established, the board of trustees in March, 1869, voted that, with the opening of the academic year in September, tuition should be free to students pursuing work exclusively in the agricultural, polytechnic, and military departments.14 As for the military during the first two years, the students were drilled in the manual of arms and in the evolutions of the company. As yet there was no drill hall but in 1870 a bill that had for its object the erection of such a building a year later came before the military committee of the board, and as a result the legislature appropriated $25,000 for a shop and drill hall. At the annual meeting held March, 1870, a question that recurred as surely as the seasons was settled. Women had been knocking for admission at the doors of the university from the first The question came to a vote in the board in 1869, but a majority of the trustees were not ready for the departure. The knocking was stopped in the only way possible—by letting the ladies in. Gregory, as early as 1867, had emphatically asserted * his recognition of the right of women to equal educational privileges with men. He had found that when women were admitted to classes with men they equalled or excelled them in scholarship and he was in favor of their admission whenever the state should provide "suitable buildings and appliances for their education at the University.jj >15 The fact that he was not in favor of admitting women until suitable buildings were ready for their reception, gave rise to a misunderstanding which traveled widely. Gregory was opposed to the admission of women, was asserted, and this was often used against him. The students themselves, according to tradition were glad to have their sisters share their privileges. It is related that a number of students, knowing the subject of the admission of women was to be brought up at a meeting of the board, posted themselves above the room at a convenient stove pipe hole to hear the outcome, and were so delighted when the decision was made that they forgot quiet is best for eavesdroppers and burst into applause. u 8econ& annual report of the board of trustees, p. 88. transactions Illinois horticultural society, 1867, pp. 85-86.
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