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
Bookmark and Share



Repository: UIHistories Project: Book - Overview and State of the University (1913) [PAGE 33]

Caption: Book - Overview and State of the University (1913)
This is a reduced-resolution page image for fast online browsing.


Jump to Page:
< Previous Page [Displaying Page 33 of 36] Next Page >
[VIEW ALL PAGE THUMBNAILS]




EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:



possibly two,—which stands for a type in architecture. This has been no one's fault. W e are u n d e r obligation! to our own department of architecture that we have got on as well as we have. But we have not been free in the matter. W e have got our buildings out of hard conditions. Often the main question has been not what the a r c h i t e c t u r e of a new building should be, but rather whether we should have the new building at all or not. Sometimes we have accepted mongrel or meaningless architecture to avoid something positively frightful. W e are now in little danger from the old sources, however. T h e r e is a certain safety in largeness, when no one man, or no small combination with some selfish end in mind and p r e t e n d i n g to know so m u c h that isn't so, can exert control or inflict h u r t . In a great University policies have to be settled by discussion in the University forum. Discussion helps the right. T h e time has come to contend, to fight if need be, for purer, more dignified and attractive University architecture, and accordingly it may be confidently expected. W h a t may be anticipated in the way of a t t e n d a n c e ? T h a t is the last thing for us to worry about now.i T h e registration this year is likely to exceed four thousand,—something like 2,500 at the seat of the University, and 1,600 in the professional departm e n t s in Chicago. W e are not ambitious for a further increase in n u m b e r s : we do not care to absorb other professional schools. W e have all that can be desired in the way of a t t e n d a n c e . All we care for now is the largest possible usefulness. W e want to bring the level of this great body of s t u d e n t s up to the highest possible plane of intellectual virility, of professional efficiency, of good stalwart, fearless, balanced citizenship. W e want to break out some new roads in learning. W e want to apply the latest and truest knowledge to the industrial and commercial and political life of the State. T h e students through whom to do this are upon us. W e have not to look for more, but to do the most we can for the ones who are here. But more will come. T h e r e is little reason to doubt the a t t e n d a n c e of say four thousand s t u d e n t s here at the seat of the University within another ten y e a r s . ! T h e only reasons for any doubt lie in the possibility that the responsible authorities may not stand up to their work as they should in requiring that students shall be p r e p a r e d for college work in the local high schools to the fullest capacity of those schools, and in aiding those schools to attain the highest efficiency; in requiring that idlers shall not be in the way of the serious ; and in providing instruction of the highest order for the studious. And 5