The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1868-01-07

men-by the way "a great American want
than the institution0f these corps in colleges.
To say nothing Of the advantages they
afford the student, it gives professional litera-
ny men of merit a means of support while
pursuing their stulies.
You perceive that arbitrary periods of
study have been discarded in this plan.-
The old system required four years for
degree, no matter what the industry or in
dolence of the student. This is palpably
wrong. The fact that Il degree may be OBJ
tanned whenever tue applicant is qualified,
would be great stimulus to industry and
bring many to the University, who would
never take a four years course. < g
That feature of the saytem which leaves
it optional with the student to attend the
lectures will perhaps meet with the strongest
opposition. 1t will doubtless be urged that
there are many fathers, who would never
patronize such an institution. The whole
force Of this objection consists in the pre-
sumption that it lies in the power of the
| Faculty to make a student. Students may
be divided into three classes. list. The
industrious class, who compete for the
honors. 2nd. The class, who are satisfied
with respectable standing. 3rd. The class,
who 'care for none of these things" The
first and second classes require no compul-
sion. As for the third class, it is always
nuisance, and both the institution and the
individuals themselves, would be benefited
by their absence. But it is said that youths
go to the University at too tender an age to
appreciate, its advantages anu hence there
should be a paternal care exercised over
them while there The "paternal idea,"
however, is foreign to a University. Nor IS
it true that the elimination of the infants
would necessarily reduce the number Of
matriculates. These places would be sup
piled by teachers, graduates of local colleges,
matured men, who would not regard an
education complete lin the popular sense)
until they had taken u degree at the Uni
versity, especially when such Il degree might
be had, if deserved, in twenty weeks.
As to University courts they have existed
in the Universities of England and Germany
since their foundations. Students, as well
as other men, must be governed by law. and
the form through which the law is admin
istered, is purely a matter of convenience.
There are great many irregularities, not of
sufficient importance for place in our GRIM
inal code, but which cannot be tolerated at
a University, which should be brought
under the jurisdiction of a University Court.
There are certain lesser misdemeanors al
ready indictable for which, in the case of
students, a University Court would he by
far the most convenient and fitting tribunal.
Then there are graver offences, such as in
jury of the University property, sometimes
its wantnn destruction, which should be
dealt with and no where else so convenient
ly, rs in University Court. This Court
would effectually break down that most
unfortunate esprit du corps among the
students, which places them in antagonism
to the Faculty. The jurisdiction of the
Court would he very narrow; its machinery
would be the simplest. The Chancellor
with two of his colleagues could constitute
the Court, while the bailitf, who to this
duty could add that of attending to the
grounds and buildings would serve the no.
ticcs. If the delinquent were unwilling to
submit to the finding of the court, he could
avoid the Judgment by withdrawal from the
| University. Hence no appeal could ever
| he taken from this Court. The withdrawal
of the delinquent would not protect him,
however, from indictment, should the offence
| he indictable in the State Courts. Holding
these courts would involve no more time or
expense than the ordinary Faculty meetings.
Ny dear sir, before concluding my rather
! lengthy epistle, l shall merely touch upon
one point, which l regard as of paramount
Importance. 1t is this. How can Uni
versity system and a system of Common
Schools-primary and higher--be SO inter
locked and interviewer together as to form Il
complete and harmonious State System of
Education 2" The masses have never looked
with favor upon the University. The class
who governed the University, nave always
been jealous of free schools. Common schools
and the University should go hand in hand;
the one should supply the other with its
students, and this in turn should send back
teachers for the schools To devise the
means of union between Common Schools
and University is the problem for our edu-
Gators and statesmen.
Yours truly,
WIN. NJ COLEMAN.