Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-08-02
Univeraity Extension-Again.

The University Extension movement is
making rapid advances at the North and
such also should be the case at the South
No movement in the domain OF higher
education has ever been inaugurated that
promises more for the masses and the uni
| vcrsities and colleges than University Ex-
tension. The rationale OF its mission, pri-
marily considered, Is crystallized in the
| dictum, '"Since the mountain Will not
come to MAHoMrD, MAHoMED must go to the
mountain" Since the masses will not or
cannot come to the universities and COL
leees these institutions must 90 TO the
| masses. w. T. HARRIS, Commissioner
of Education, in an address before
the National Educational Association
last year. after stating the unde-
niable proposition that we wish 20
draw an increasing number OF youth 10
complete their school courses in our col
leres and universities" proceeded to ar
enc that the extension movement by
bringing college professors into direct re-
lations with large number OF aspiring
youth would conduce potentially to that
consummation. He also contended that
this contact would give the professors tar
greater influence than they now nave on
the thinking and acting of the masses OF
the people who do not go beyond an eie-
mentary school course.
II this be true in its application to the
country of large 1t is especially true as APP
piled TO Virginia. While il is unfortunate
&C m
Virginia do not attend the higher IN
stitutions Of learning because they cannot
afford the expense Of the course, many
others do not take advantage Of the bene-
fits Of these institutions because they and
their parents do not understand the uni
yersity and the college. Taking the Viz
pinia higher institutions OF learning by
and through their chairs are filled by
men who have no superiors in this
country in their special lines or in
ability to popularize university and COL
lege instruction. 1t follows. therefore,
that pecuniary foundations for University
Extension in Virginia are all that is neces-
sary in order that the fullest benefits Of
the movement may be reaped, both by our
seats of higher learning and the masses.
These foundations might be established
either by private contributions or by ap-
preparations from the regular sources of
revenue of the several colleges and uni
versities.
Anotherresult of University Extension in
Virginia and a most important ono would
be to check the tendency of parents to
send their sons beyond the borders Of the
State to be educated. The contact OF
our professor class with the masses by
means of lectures open to the public de-
liyered at various points in the State
would demonstrate that the scope OF col
lege and university training in Virginia
would in all essential elements lose
nothing by comparison with the scope of
such training in the North. We repeat what
we urged in treating this subject some
weeks ago, that it is one to which college
professors, boards OF trustees, and visitors
and all others interested in higher educa-
ton should give earnest attention. The
college year in Virginia will soon CON-
mence and there could be no more oppor-
tune time than the present for considering
the question of providing the ways and
means for furtherinc the movement in the
State.