The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-12-11
UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
II Is the Topic Of the Day Among
People Interested in Edu-
cation.
In Nineteen States and
In Eighty Ono Cities and
Towns.
Eject Upon tho Universities Of tile Coun-
try-Hccognition OF tho Work Done
New Features.

University extension Ia this educational
topic OF the day. The papers are full OF III:
tho magazines print long articles upon it;
and three journals, two in u ngland and ono
in this country. are devoted entirely to its
interests. livery intelligent person should
be conyersant with the leading points in
the history OF the system.
The phrase, University Extension, has a
twofcld significance; in lei al acceptance
IL stands for the great movement toward
higher education inauguratsd by the uni
versitiss: but 1T also stands for the imperial
power Of ar idea, an idea which found en-
bodiment in the endowment deed of Glare
college, Cambridge, in 1911, and has been
working ever since. The history Of the
successive steps by which University Ex-
tension came to what IL is to-day, is fas-
c~inating AZ a study Of the unit power" in
human society. Professor Stuart, Mr.. r.
g. Moalton, Mi. Michael =. Sadler.o of Eng
land, and DR.. William Pepper, OF America, are
the mon whose names are most frequently
quoted 3 -day; but whenever the critical
history OF university extension il written,
scores OF men will be found whose individ-
nal ideas shaped, in no small degree, the
character of the movement.
Two years ago university extension was
little known In America. To-day it ia or
ganized in nineteen states, and in eighty
one cities and towns. This gives no ade-
quate idea OF the number Of centers at
work, for Philadelphia alone, with its
suburbs. has twenty-five. The growth Of
public interest is very rapid. College after
college is pledging itaelf to the .wosk.
Young Mems Christian associations, libra
rios. academies and other educational in
stitutions. are allying themselves to the
American Society for the Extension of
University Teaching, and adopting its
plans. One of the latest advances is that
OF the Norwich Free academy, which is
giving free lectures to the outlying villages
Of Fitohville, Yantic, Bean Hill and Mont
willie, and is seeking to do the same for
other villages near by.
One Of the most gratifying features of
University extension in it's second year is
The fact that new c%enters, and especially
those in the near vicinity OF Philadelphia,
are beginning good. solid work. If the first
-four courses are Immediately planned. Co.
'lumbia, Pa, in forming its first extension
center, starts out with these words: "This
center has not been formed for a single
course of lectures, or for a period OF six
weeks study. 1t will not be a success unless
tor paper work is being done, and in some
cases. notably in Mr.. Devine's course at
Reading, Pa, the number Of persons doing |
1t increases with each lecture.
University extension is producing a good
foot, not only upon its students, but also
upon its lecturers and teachers and upon
the student-body Of the universities. Col
Ilege presidents arc already finding that the
men who 70 out as lecturers i'll university
extension courses are doing better work in
their own classes. The effort to please and
instruct a promiscuous and popular au-
dience reacts upon the university class
room; the individual needs of the students
are more carefully studied; the teaching is
modified to meet them. and professor and
student come into more sympathetic rela-
lions. All the large universities report in
creased numbers; and experience il prov
ing that university extension tends to
create a university influence, and that uni
|versity extension means university inten-
sion.
The American Society for the Extension
of University Teaching has prepared a
berries of certificates. by which to express it's
dents in its sources. Six departments Of
study have been organized, and the certifi-
oates are of five grades.
i. The record book certificate attests the
fact that the holder has attended
" ba. '1t bssn p eonass # II IL liz l%e ]eiassss,
Rnd has passed tho final exami-
nation. It is to be aligned by the lecturer,
and, il desired, recorded in the society's
register.
2. The primary or unit certificate repre-
kents twelve lectures, since it is expected
That the unit course will soon be one OF
Twelve lectures rather than of six as at pres
ent. The primary certificate will be the
FIRST engraved certificate, and will be OBJ
tnined after due examination, conditioned
pm attendance upon the required lectures.
3. The subject certificate is given upon
The satisfactory completion of two courses
pf twelve lectures each. both courses being
hl on the same general subject; that is, the
Bame department OF study.
4. The group certificate corresponds gen.
orally to the work OF Il college year. The
curriculum requires the student to
hnd to pursue them until he has gained u
real insight into the nature Of each one.
he requirements Of a group certitic to are
1t is given to a student who has
gained four subject certiticates-no two in
The Same departlnent-and who has also
passed n special examination held by the
and covering certain additional COL
|aternl reading, as we'll as the work don't for
The lecturer. +,
5. The diploma. This is granted to any
Pne who has gained three group certificates.
1t is not necessary that all the study 4
to secure Il certificate or diploma
should be one ut the same place. One
course may be taken at one center,
another at another. perhaps in a diff
town or city. II is believed that the
colleges and universities will re- :
the educational impo lance of the
group certificate and diploma, by extending 4
10 their holders certain privileges in the
way of study and recognition.
The extension circuit is q new feature of
University extension in America, and has
5een adopted by the American Society for
,he Exte nsion OF University Teaching
10 u means of bringing the bene-
its of university extension within
,he reach Of towns which otherwise I
night be declared from them. The usual I
expense Of O course Of university extension
%ectures, includes the lecturers foes, his I
,raveling expenses to and from the centers, ,
the cost of the hull. printing of the J
tickets, advertising, etc. Where tho num-
oer OF people desiring univeralts ~extension1
. small, 1t Is sometimes Impossible to meet !
10 large an expenditure. There III another
'eason where a single 0 cannot always :,
lecure an extension course, oven when no !
question OF expense Ia involved. Very few
u the extension lecturers are willing To
70 absent from their university duties long .
'nough to take long railway JOURNEYS to and :
rom the center for the price wp.ch they ;
eoeive for Il single course Of lectures.
The plan Of the circuit il thia: Stg towns 9
which are closely connected by rail agree +,
o employ tho same lecturer. They nlso
gree to hold their lectures on the success
AVIAN mn nF h. tina H,Dnfr Mr. Innf 81, vA, / u