Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-24
BOOMING THE SCHEME.
The Academy Of Sciences Pushing
University Extension.
WILL ESTABLISH CENTERS HERE.
They Will Probably Be Located at the
Different Libraries.
LOCAL INSTRUCTORS WILL LECTURE

The Academy of Science and Arts is tax
ing deep interest in the project of estab-
fishing University extension in this city.
The Committee on Lectures of the society
is now looking into plans for its introduc-
tion here. Before the winter is over 1t is
probable that one or even more courses OF
special lectures will be given. For some
time the educators of Pittsburg have agitat-
ed the idea of University extension. There
have also been courses of popular lectures
given in the city which greatly resemble
University extension. During the fall
Librarian Stevenson, of the ALLIE
gheny Carnegie Free Library, outlined
a plan which he proposed to present to
councils. Owing to his arduous duties in
the library, he was compelled to drop the
project. It was supposed that as the West
ern Pennsylvania Historical Society meets
in the Carnegie lecture room, the speakers
at the meetings would be of great aid to the
University extension scheme. DR.. Shilli:o,
of Allegheny, has also organized number
of classes and secured lecturers for courses.
The method hitherto followed is to have
specialists on certain subjects deliver leo
lures free of charge to the audience, and to
be paid for by persons interested in educa-
tion. The cost is not great, and when a
course is arranged it has been found highly
successful. 1t differs from the Chautauqua
course in that no text books are required
and no fees are charged. The lecturers are
usually both foreign and local, the number
of the former depending on the lberality of
the people back of the investment.
Lucien Scaife. member of the Academy of
Science and Arts, was seen at his house last
evening in regard to the plan. He said:
Lectures of the Academy of Science.
Our idea is now to arouse public interest
in university education through the press if
possible. We wish the plan to be placed
before the people in order that they might
know what university extension means and
of the benefits to be derived from it. At
present we could not get subscriptions if We
should try ,as people will not take an interest
in anything of which they do not recognize
the value. When enough people have
become interested in our idea, one or two
lectures will likely be given by the Acade-
nv of Science and Arts. Then if the public
really desire University extension. 'fcenters"
will be organized. There should be Seen
ter on the Southside, one in Lawrencerille
and one in Allegheny. You know in Uni
versity extension, tFcenter" is a group of
people from one neighborhood who combin.
TO secure a course of lectures. There are
University lecturers who travel about
from center to center and bring edu-
cation home to the workingman.
at is our desire to bring the artisans and
workmen into our 'centers.' As soon as
one is formed the national headquarters at
Philadelphia is communicated with and
list oflectures and subjects is given. When
the course has begun tickets for the lecture
are sold, usually at very low prices. The
cost bv means of subscriptions or guarantee
funds is thus made very low, and the ma
tional headquarters bring down the cost
to the lowest possible figure
How the Lectures Are Conducted.
A correspondent of THE DISPATCH states
that university extension differs from the
old lyceum lectures in that it does not leave
the hearer the minute the lecture is COM
pleted; but the lecturer remains with those
of his audience who wish it, and talks the |
matter over with them, melting his hearers |
TO study for themselves to seek information |
for its own sake, to prepare written ESSAYS |
on some topic related to the subject under |
treatment. Furthermore, it does not stop |
with one lecture, but seeks, through series |
Of at least six lectures on a given subject, |
continued through as many weeks, to arouse |
a lasting interest in the matter on which |
the lecturer talks, so that his auditors will |
be led to think and ponder and study for |
themselves. Thus the movement seeks to |
combine all the benefits Of popular lectures |
on important subjects with those of literary |
and debating societies, and to add thereto |
the important leadership of man specially |
trained to handle the subject under consid- |
Grafton.
The movement has been in successful |
operation in England for unite number of |
wears, where it is constantly growing in the
extent and Importance of its influence on
the public. The leading universities are
engaged heart and soul in its furtherance,
and the central government has been led to
recognize its usefulness and make provision
for its support from public funds. Less
than two years ago the movement was in
augurated in Philadelphia, and from the
first it has met with brilliant success Last
autumn they commenced the lectures in
earnest; and before the season had drawn to
its c.ose, 1t was found expedient to broaden
the sphere of action from local to national
bounds: and there is now in that CITY
central Office of the American Society for
the Extension of University Teaching, with
branches already established in many parts
Of the country, from New England to Kan
sas.
Blg CofiegeS Back OF she Scheme.
A monthly journal of the society has also
been started, which is designed to keep the
members informed of the progress of the
movement. Recently there was a confer
ence of the leaders of the movement from
various parts of the country in Providence,
Il. l., where considerable enthusiasm was
manifested. Brown University, Of that city,
is already doing good work in this direc-
lion; Boston and Harvard seem about to
enter upon it; Princeton and Rutgers, of
New Jersey, have also endorsed il, while
Chicago and other Western cities are going
into 1t with their accustomed zeal and
energy. in the nesghborhood of Philadel-
phia there have been arrangements made
fo- the delivery this winter of nearly 400
lectures under the auspices of the society,
and almost every day brings applications
for more
However, all this has not been accom-
plIshed without an immense amount of
work, not only on the part of the central
society at Philadelphia, but also of local
committees in The communities where the
lectures have been delivered. This is not
the place TO 90 into the details OF the ad-
of the system, as there will be
time sufficient for that when it is found |
that enough Pittsbnrg citizens take an in
tereSt III the matter to give fair prospect |
Of its being introduced. That such q sys-
lem would be boon for Pittsburg as it has
proved TO so many cities of England, and
already to Philadelphia, goes without say
ing.
Though the Society at Philadelphia has.
4 large corps of lecturers and is accordingly |
prepared TO provide them when requested, |
the idea of the movement is on the whole