Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1879-02-18

Very Important Action of the Board of
Trustees Yesterday.
Tribune Sunday Morning.

Trustees Yesterday.
Tribune Sunday Morning.
The Board Of Trustees of East Ten
nessee University held an adjourned
meeting yesterday afternoon. A
number of important measures were
considered. A joint committee OF the
Trustees and Faculty submitted re-
port, which was unanimously adopted.
The report declares it to be the duty
and policy Of the University TO in
crease the means Of instruction in de-
partments relating to Agriculture and
the Mechanic Arts, as defioed by the
act of Congress, as well as in English,
and in other scientific and optional
courses. It recommends the election
of an additional Professor in the Col
lege of Agriculture, and of
All additional Professor Tor at
least of an adjunct Professor)
in the College of Mechanic
Arts. The present chair of Rhetoric
and ElocutiOn is changed 10 that of
English Language and Belles-Lettres
So as to give larger scope to English
studies. The open or eclectic system of
organization is adopted, so as to give
larger scope for special and optional
study. and to develop The instruc tioD
in all the departments beyond the linn
its of the present curriculum. The
Faculty are authorized to make ar
Engagements at once for This system,
and to adopt to it the several courses
of study, and he degrees Of the Uni
versity. The establishment of De-
partment of Commercial Theory and
Practice was also recon- mended as one
of the objects to be hereafter under
taken.
In order to render possible the pro.
proposed expansion of scientific study
without the reduction of other depart
ments, it was recommended 10 in
crease, some extent, the revenue
from students, aud q n Oderate
scale of fees (nnt iucludiUg
tuitioD,) was adopted, which will 60
into effect next session. Arrange
ments were made TO secure the publ
cation hereafter of regular reports from |
the scientific depart M ats also to give |
the Faculty mole direct control over |
the grounds and buildings, and over |
the college farm. A valuab 9 report |
was submitted by The Farm Commit
tee.
The report of the Executive Com
mittee was equally important. A Nor
NAL course was authorized, for the
special education of teachers. Post
graduate and professional degrees were
with courses of study to be
by the Faculty. Steps were
taken looking to the connection of COL
leges of Medicine and OF Law also TO
the reduction and gradual abolition of
the Preparatory department.. Recon-
mendatIOns to the Legislature were
passed concerning the appointment
Of State Cadets by system
of public examination, and linn
iting the right of such appoint
ment to students qualified for cOllegi-
ate STUDY. These measures, so i'm
pOrtant to the public schools, as well
as to the University, it is confidently
hoped, will be confirmed by the Legs
lature. Memorials CONCERNING these
and other topics of interest to the
will soOl be forwarded by
ne Executive Committee.
These and other measures were
Adopted with great unanimi1y.
Every thing betOkens the growing
promise of our University. The adop-
ion of the open or elective system car
les with it all other possibilities Of
progress. and the action of the B ard,
Imported as 1T is by a progressive
Faculty, indicates the beginning of
Increased energy and efficiency in al
OF the University Let
IS hope the Legislature will second
hese efforts by wise and liberal legs
alton In behalf or an Institution go
loosely identified with the honor and
uture welfare of the State. {