The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-08-27

The Plans and Purposes of President Coulter
The Aid of the Alumni Requested.

To the Editor OF the Indianapolis Journal:
In coming over the Chesapeake 81 Ohio
railroad from Washington to Cincinnati, /
CHANGED to meet with DIR. John NJ. Coulter.
the new president of the Indiana State
University, who was returning from the
recent meeting of the A. A.. A. g., at Wash
ineton, and of the biological section of
which he was president. Our conver-
sation naturally turned upon the State
University and its pro spects. DR.. Coulter,
while not yet fully settled in his new rela-
tions, has already imbibed an unusual de-
gree of that enthusiasm which will grow
as his continued connection with the insti-
tuition more closely identities its interests
with his own and draws him into closer
sympathy with that warmth OF feeling with
which we always regard our alma mater.
His words, in giving a forecast of the In
stitution's prospects,. bore evidence of con-
fidence. of hope. and a complete knowl-
edge of what lay before him. Said
he: The outlook is exceedingly bright.
Within, everything is harmonious. and
without all conditions are most favorable.
Everything seems TO have combined to
make the opening of the first year of our
administrators unexcelled by any in the
history of the institution. All the reports
conveyed to us from the various sections
of the State would indicate n large increase
of attendance over that of last year. AL
ready eighteen have been added to tho
drawn partly from other institu-
tions. but mainly will be composed
of those throughout the State who, by the
pursuit of studies In a particular line. will
be able to graduate after one year ut the
university. This class is made up largely
of principals and superintendents of
schools, who, while engaged in their pro-
fession, have devoted So EDS several years hs a TO some
to graduate in any department they choose,
but will be confined to that subject to
which they have devoted at least three
years. AS you know, according to the
before graduating, must have specialized
IN some line for at least four
years. The requirements in respect
to the class of students which l have just
mentioned are not lowered. l have appli-
cations from students who desire, for
instance, to graduate In geology or chem
istry, never having taken perhaps but a
short term in that work. Under the policy
of the institution it would be impossible for
them TO graduate in these departments. but
if they nave evoted three years in some
other line, for instance, pedagogy. then
they could graduate in one year in that
department., provided, of course, their
collateral work was up to the requirements.
The main condition imposed upon this class
of students is that they shall be able to
carry the work after having entered.
1.-The internal policy of the institution, so
ably planned by DR.. Jordan, Will not be
materially changed. The courses of study
and the requirements of the same Will, for
the ensuing year, remaIna about the same.
They will be altered only rs the changing
needs of the university may require. The
only comparatively new idea which we
will attempt to develop is what
is known rs the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
system. This plan. developed in
| Europe. has but lately been introduced
into this country, some of the Eastern col
leges having taken the initiative. 1t con-
sists in establishing classes at various
places, which have been organized for the
purpose of study in some particular line.
and which are connected with and re-
sponsible to the university. To these
classes will be sent out, each week, in
structors who will lecture and conduct the
classes in the same manner as they do at
the university. At the end of the year
these classes will be gwen proportionate
credit for the work which they
have done. Glasses have already been
organized in various parts of Indiana, and
n very large class has been arranged for in
Louisville, Ky. This class has selected
botany as their subject. and l will prob
ablydeliver the lectures. This class of
work will have the effect of bringing us
into closer relation with the great body of