Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1883-04-01
OUR UNIVERSITY.
The Chief Seat OF Learning In
West Virginia.
the SCHOOL, HIsIoRSANo PROGRESS
An Interesting Review Of Its organi1a-
ton, and the Methods OF Tuition
smpIOyed-Ihe Faculty
Future Prospects.
mril..n for The S,mdag Register.

ceiyed as an endowment the proceeds OF
the States share of the Federal land grant
maid of agricultural and industrial educa-
ton. Its name was soon changed to West
Virginia University" more in anticipation
of what il was to become, than because Of
what it was, or, for years, could hope to be.
1t has had many Bullets Of fortune, but
tbs State has never failed in fostering care,
and il has now reached development,
where it claims to justify its name, in some
fair measure, both in the breadth and the
depths of its instruction.
A Statement Of It's Organization ana
work
nav not be without interest to the people
of The State and may help 70 dlspel some
of the misconceptions with which recent
changes have been eRyeloPed. The Ia
come of the University IS derived from
three sources; interest upon It's enuo",
nent, which is over hundred thousand
dollars; annual appropriations from the
State, and tuition fees OF pay students
In the way of buildings, it has two hand
some brick structures, containing lecture
rooms, q chapel, library, society halls,
museum, and large public hall, also a
sTaIl buildinr for arm Dry and cadet head
The infringement is invested in Board
of Regents. one from each Senatorial dis
trict- Who are appointed by the Governor
and confirmed by the Senate
Its sturents
consist Of cadets OF whom nye may Oe ap-
pointed from each district, W no are en-
rolled in a battalion, and receive tuition
and books free. and OF pay students, whose
tuition varies frOm fifteen TO twenty-five
dollars per year. The University mas no
dorpitcrips and the students board In prl-
waite families, or, for reasons OF ecGnouny,
mite in mess clubs. The faculty IS now
CemposeG Of a President nine full pro-
fsss0rs and TWO associate professors.
AT their meeting last June the Re-
cents n.llp change in the scheme
"a instruction, abOllshlnS the cur
Ticulum aud adopting the uni.
yersity or school system. Instead o.
he TIM traditional classes into which
college students are usually divided, plr-
suing ia graduation fixed and compulsory
curriculum Of studies, leading to the several
degrees. they erected each professor
shin irtO a separate and iudepsauenI
School, eight academic and two PrOteslolAl,
all of the former being rated Is o.
equal dignity.
These schools
as now established, are the following;
/ Metaphysics.-Iu which are taught
Mental and Moral Science and Logic, IN
charge of President Wil.on
IL. Mathematics-Whichl includes Me-
chanical and Astronomy, under
Prof. D. +. Purinton, Vice President,
a graduate of the University.
i'll. Ancient languageS-Whlch IN
cludes the language, history and htera-
ture of Greece aud Rome, taught by fre''
T. C. Barkley, Master Of Arts oil the W.
sinia University.
~ Modern Lauguages-Under Pro-
John /. Harvey, who was educated at INT
University OF GOettingen.
V EngiiSh-WhiCh includes phllO'ogi
cal study Of the language, also literature
Prof. +. ) Lyon, member OF the o;iSiha
Faculty Of the original institution.
vi. iIiStory-Which includes history
ofinstiturioRs and OF civilization, under
Prof. \ ". LorentE, for many years heai
Of the Preparatory Department
VII Geology and Natural Hist)ry-Em-
bracing uudrr the latter Zoology, Botany
and Mfurrc,ugy, taught by Prot Israel Z:
White. a graiutte OF the Unive 's1ty, and
member OF the Pennsylvania Geological
Survey.
viii. Agriculture, Chemistry and PhySiC
Under Prof. Woodyille Latham, Tor
mer associate of the celebrated DE Gesael
Harrison.
*. Anatomy, Physiology and Hygiene
Prof b. W. Allen, tor many years dem
onstrator at the University of Virginia.
X. Law and Equity-U nder Prof. 81
George T. Brooke, who belongs to line u
DISTINGUISHED law teachers and writers.
The Associate Professors
who instruct in preparatory stqiles, are
Messrs James 5. Stewart, and James NJ
lee both graduates of the University, anC
the latter msjor and commandant OF thu
cadet corps.
Each professor is free to organize the de
tails of his school as he may judge mos
promotive OF its efficiency, and student
are permitted to select the schools
thew wish to attend, being re
0uiTed. except in the case OF professions
Students, TO attend not less than three, un
less excused for cause by the Faculty.
Upon completing the course IN any
School aud passing an examination salts
factory TO its professor, a student receives
a diplcna in that school, and prescribe'
number Of diplomas or certificates entittt
him to the several University degrees.
This is a substitution for the curriculum
of what is called the elective system, al
ready in successful operation in some o
the best Colleges, Universities and Theo
logical Seminaries OF the country. Th
change was made at the request OF tn
Faculty, who believed iG would eventualI
Commend the Institution
10 wider patronage in the State, and
while exactly adapting itself to the lack 0
preparation, or to the irregular preparation
of so many Of the youths who seek liberia
culture, would most efficiently aid in wha
they dPemeda duty TO the State aud {
themselves, to raise gradually the standar
of instruction and OF graduation, until IN
West Virginia University should becom
all that the educational interests OF tn
State might require.
The advantages Of this School system {
the student are: that he may prosecute tn
studies of any School for which he is pre-
pared without regard 10 his deficiency l
other branches; that he receives his dipl(
mas in the several schools in the order
GENT and capable can make "a
degree IN less time than under tn
curriculum where he Is held bacI
by his class Ia point on which Presider
EliOt. of Harvard. has recently dwelt Wit
emphasis), that If be IS able or deslrel
take only q partial course he may stl
make that a complete course, and upon graz
mating in any school become an Alumni
NJ the I, RiyeI sity; that il places the stI
.dents generally on footing OF social equa
ity- throwing each upon his individual e
forts, (as soon as Will happen IN acuNe ne
for success and distinction in academ
stndy. and not permitting the inert an
peglectful to be borne along by the M
Inentun of their classes; and lastly thu
by allowing. under the restriction befol
mentioned, freedom in the selection
schools, it avoids the acknowledged err
OF the old system, which lotcea an you i!t,
irrespective of taste, capacity, preparation
or future calling, TO pursue the same roun
of compulsory tread-mill studies.
The kneeG of the system
upon the professors is ID throw upon eac
one a heavier weight OF duty and respol
sibility, and necessity he cannot escap
IL making bis School both thorough an
successful. He is put in honorable cor
petition with all his associates, and IS I
longer one Of = corps, jointly performir
the same general work, but the head OF a
independent School, which he can adapt
the progress Of knowledge in bis depar
ment and which he is expected TO condu
with the same thoroughness and zeal as
IL were the only School in the UniYersit
The object of this change is thus seen
be txofoid, viz: to allow greater freedo
in the selection of studies, aud to eleYa
the standard Of attainments.
The FIRST object is one toward which Il
- nnllnr.as. ara raniHlv tenain0 eve