The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-11-24
The Report.

The Report.
To the Honorable Board OF Trustees OF the In
diana University:
GExTLENES-In the discharge of the duties de-
volving upon them. the Committee OF visitors,
University respectfully submit the following
report:
the appointment the Committee spent week IN
attendance upon the exercises OF the University.
They were present daily, inspecting the eOndiuon
| of the property, observing the discipline oil the
institution listening to the Rotations In every
department, conTersing freely with each OF the
| professors respecting his department, questioning
| the students upon the work IN hand, and obsery-
| ing Carefully the needs of the institution with
reference To yet higher efficiency.
The visitors feel warranted in reporting that
| the internal workings of the University are more
highly satisfactory than at any previous period.
For the sake OF clearness we specify as follows;
THE FACULTY.
The faculty appears to be working together in
entire harmony. According 10 their President,
confidence and respect of high order should
assure all men that he is the right man in the
right place. Some of the Professor, having been
long IN their places. are able to add ripe expert
ence to their natural gifts and wide acquisitions,
and those who are younger In the work give prom
Use of extended usefulness. We are confident that
a whole the character Of the work done is of a
very high order.
THE STUDENTS.
The Committee were impressed with the large
number and high order of the students in attend
snce. The number in all departments IS $40. The
influence upon the Commonwealth of so large
number of literally educated young men and
women, going out every few years. must rapidly
develop the intellectual. social and moral life OF
our people.
THE PROPERTY.
The Committee were anxious to ascertain if
moneys from time to time Sacredly set apart by
the State in appliances for higher education were
well used The question can have but one answer.
The States property in Bloomington Is
we'll cared for. The grounds, fences, buildings.
museums, apparatus, etc, are in most perfect
condition. The absence of anything like mutila-
tinn of the walls and furniture struck the Com
mittee as both pleasing and commendable. The
library and reading room are well arranged and
convenient of access, and the museum has lately
been arranged, classified and labeled.
THE DISCIPLINE.
The discipline of the institution is admirable.
| The department OF the students In the city, on
| the grounds, in the chapel and recitation room
appeared to unexceptionable. The order OBJ
served does not seem To come through compul-
sion but maniiestly has grown out OF the respect
of the students for the institution, its officers and
manliness in control which begets its kind in the
selfrespect Of the students. Hence. the best kind
of government-namely. selfgovernment.
THE WORK IN THE CLASSROOM.
The work in the class-rooms on the part of in
structors and students is Of superior quality. The
| students do not appear to be examining. but are
evidently developing into independent thinkers
| and investigators Some Of the classes are alto
Ectncr 100 large 10 De uhlultu 10 INT jest du
vantage. There is pressing necessity for more
instructors.
THE FINANCES.
The Committee made n careful examination of
the financial affairs of the institution, and found
hat An admirable system of bookkeeping, with
checks and balances has been adopted, which
renders IL quite certain that none of the States
money can be Incorporated. The officers VINO
have the accounts In charge appear 10 have exc
cuted the trust imposed upon them with fidelity
and care.
THE NEEDS OF THE INSTITUTION.
The Committee would be derelict in duty If
they did not emphasize the manifest needs of the
institution:
l. There are needed two additional teachers
one for ancient and one for modern languages and
literature.
2 The salaries of the Professors are inadequate.
With return OF prosperous times times we think
IL no more than just to these worthy servants of
the State, that an addition commensurate with
the general prosperity be made to their salaries.
3. The library, consisting of about 5000 vol
umeS, should be greatly enlarged at once. An
appropriation of $4,000 for books wOuld be only
an act of justice to the pupils of the State.
4. A fire proof building In which tn place the
library is most desirable. and the best kind of in
surance for such treasures as are rapidly accumu-
lating.
5. The laboratory is for the most part well
equipped; but one or two pieces are imperatively
needed at once for instance. apparatus for dis
filling water, TO cost say. $50
g. We believe that the ply steal training of the
students Is "A matter of Importance. aud one thus
far wholly neglected. We therefore recommend
the construction nt plain ana economical gymu0-
sium N cost say $1,000.
7. We mention last, but only fer the sake of
specially emphasizing. the need of first class
astronomical observatory. such as our State has
never had. with such apparatus as at least two of
our professors splendidly qualified to use
without making any distinctions. one of these
professors has been styled by Professor Proctor
THE American Kepler."
The Committee are the more free 10 speak of
these needs somewhat urgently from the fact that
it will be manifest to any fair-miuded and dis
corning visitor. who may spend few DAYS at the
University, that the Institution is working ND to
the full measure of present opportunities and
appliances II the Professor and students do
better work in the future they seem anxious
to do the State must put the facilities within
their reach. The returns from investments thus
made must be intellectually great.
Additional appropriations recommended: For
Professors salaries, -: for library books, Sl0,-
000 for laboratory apparatus, $50; for gymna-
sum- 81 900; for observatory telescope, etc, S25
600. Respectfully submitted.
JAMES III. SMART,
HENRY C. MABIE,
JOHN. NJ. BLOSS