New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-28
IN THE LOCAL COLLEGES.
COLUMBIA'S FUTURE SITE.


The future site OF Columbia College is subject OF
great interest to Columbas friends at present. as o
fact has been clearly demonstrated that chahse "''
be made The recent action Of the trustees IN refehce
TO the matter and the discussions OF the alumni Da'o
stimulated the zeal Of the sons OF the college ana VI ~
college world in general. The Columbia spectator
has given q portion OF its Christmas NUMBER W "'o
subject and contains valuable information. III ieoon
interview Oh the subject DR.. Thomas 3 Flske Oh the
department OF mathematics, said: "Coiuihpia WIN
belong always rs to-day to the class of metropolitan
universities She can afford to devote 10 dhihs
halls and dOrmitories funds available for 0ther pu
poses The dimensions Of its future buildings shouio
be adapted TO d growth little anticipated wien our
present library building was erected. Although TINS
great building IS but few years DID, 1t Is already IN
sufficient to accommodate the books possessed by te
college The library alone should be situated on site
equal to the block OF ground now occupied Dy the
college.
But Columbia requires facilities in buildings and
grounds which ut present are altogether uhrepreSeou
She should have a gymnasium and practice hcid IN icr
future home. These quite "a necessary as III 'hc
cese OF the country college. public lecture hall. or
theatre museums and laboratories on much more OK
tensive scale than at present are lndlspehsaDic -
proper site must be had for the ASTRONOMICAL oDer'a
tory. This however, it may be necessary to place AZ
a distance from tie rest of the college. thlnK tlae
we may say that the dimensions OF al appropriate eite
equal to three sized city blocks.
Where can such site BE- obtainedi il IL were
possible to purchase great quantity OF lana IN the
immediate ncghbOrhoOd Of the present LOCATION IL
would be out Of The question 10 do 50. Disr8ird-
ing the astronomical work, the proximity of the rail-
road would preclude the possibility Of refined stleh"c
Investigations in the ply steal laboratories such
site can be obtained below the Harlem River. The
geological structure certain portions Of the island
prevents their for business purposes. For eX
ample, large districts are almost unsuitable for any
other than parks. Among these are sites per-
iccty satisfactory for the future home Of the college
The future home Of the college should be located
below the Harlem River. II would he desirable. IL
possible to perfect the integrity OF the university
II would be most unfortunate TO dsmember 1t sun
further: while to remove from the city the depart
nents Of law, technology aud medicine would he to
deprive them Of their chief element Of strength
How can such q site be obtained Must we look
10 the munhccuce Of those Interested In having
great uuvcrIiy In New-Nor, Probably. 1t may
be- worth while, however, to mention another snSges-
ton. Would it be possible to arrange In some way
with tn, munc patty have "a suitable site assigned
To the college In Of tho larger parks Would
such an aiIungr ment be facilitated II Columbia should
offer terms making It eXp'dlCnt 10 discontinue the
city college and send rs studcns b Columblal'
Professor Edward y. Perry, Of the department OF
Greek ha, written an Interesting letter upon the same
subject Among other things be says: in the
American college, IN the English coll x. community
VI residence seems 81 bc necessary to hSn degree
If pros peqity. IN small town, and village, tbs cpn
dltlon may b. fulfilled b. consider able m"a,rt even
without dormitOn >. which IN New York has been
proved Impossible by the yustuess Of the city and tho
expense Of living | do not doubt that the school Of
Arts a, a college would DO better OF IN locality where
Students aud teachers might I've In such close prpN
Unity that might not, be wasted
daily by many students Ia IA" dlcary journey % ana
from ia" college Again, the nature OF American Mo
makes peculiarly -sary for the Coll.gan strong
force cOuutea't the Iucr>-aui temptation Ia spend
his energies WY Na.luu, and often conflicting.
occupations.
Int how would the Interest, OF the graduate and
prni,,- uuul SCHOOLS De- served - ths CLtustt lac
thr hospitals, &c., Indispensable" adlUucts would not
follow IL ont of town, tn s,hJol OF Law would -ph"c
hardly les severely Gy removal entirely away rom
the city. The WORK Of the holi' ot iot'h N'ch't
and Philosophy could probably De carried on as w II
IN a suburban location, though ~ Moiuu r'W m'-t
uud,.i rnhs To sever the relation, which have been
entered into with the uou theological seminary dud
other Institutions # New lorh city. Concerning tNe
~,h,pl al Mines viii offer opinion. But great
and .criDii, dhCIlty would lee the location Of the u
prary \ s.purgiliu If II would be- most uuf'r,u-
nate and ~ which ~ the divisions Of the university
should II be- attached
&c Probably the choice ~ a location In tho upper
p9it ~ Niulatttu island. even beyond tie llr
lem River would unrr many 1dFauta-r~ 10 the
school OF Ants and f"W di-tdNJ ut-c1 iu t' "ih"F
.,hnll, Except the school u Medicine, that tn VS.
dom ~ removal 10 such a spot would soon b' hrFr
ans. Rut the problem is - raMpNcWci that / ID
not Took FIR a very speedy - utlou II IT,
The senior class ~ the school ~ Mines has eccid
tho following officers: Il. u. White, president
A. RO~cutiia vice president, g. IL. Ser
gen secretary \ Hay TREASURER, Il. Bole' historian