New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-29

UNIVERSITY EXTENSION IN NEO-TORh
I'm the summer of 1889 a movement was IN
augurated by the Regents of the University IN
which every citizen of Newly Ork VINO IS lhtcIil-
gently devoted to her welfare must needs De
profoundly interested. This is the movement
looking to the establishment of what Is popular
" known for want of "a better term rs " thiNer-
sitv extension in this great Commonwealth.
The scheme is thoroughly beneiicent. IL would
he as superiluous to commend the sunight-ln-
deed. il aims TO secure the general diffusion OF
education. whose other name is sunlight. By
common consent he who makes two ears OF corn
or two blades of grass grow where one grew be-
fore is hailed as a public bencfactor because of
tho extension which he accompishes. tniver-
sity extension means the multiplication of the
advantages of the higher education, so that If
for any reason John Doe cannot 80 10 colIe2e
the college shall go to John Doc.
The movement started in 1889 has already
made encouraging progress. Inc University
ConyOcation of last year addressed ltScli 10 inc
subject. and appointed committee to confer
with the Regents Of the University to deter
mine what were the first practical steps to be
taken. The outcome of the conference was the
odoption nv the committee of a series of rcsO-
buttons. the chief of which was the following:
Resolved That in the Judgment OF this committee
the time has come when the best interests 81 h"her
education in this state demand that the Regents should
undertake the establishment and SUPERVISION 81
state system of university extension, Including not Only
Iecurc, Int such conferences. examinations and Ger
,6caas for work done as experience may have proved
TO be desirable and practicable.
Accordncly the University Extension Com
mittee of the Regents, which had been appoint
od in 1889. recommended and the Regents
adopted resolutions providing for the establish
ment Of State system Of university extension
and calling upon the Legislature to make Such
appropliations as might be necessary Tor the
prosecution OF the work.
The bill making the appropriation IS no"
nending in the Legislature, and has only TO pass
and become law to make University extension
in New York an accomplished fact. This meas
ure-which. we may he sure, is destined to figure
rs an important landmark in the educational his
tory of New Yorll-iS entitled, "An act 70 pro-
mote wider extension to the people at large OF
opnortuni1ies for educaton.' 1t authorizes the
establishment and maintenance under the dlfcc-
ton of the Regents Of the University OF nj
vcrSity Extension Department, "to PROVIDE 1or'
promote more widely, extend and hllng wthlh
the reach Of the people at large, adults As wen is
youths, opportunities and facilities for educa-
ton" The sum appropriated for the accom-
plisbment Of this object is $4,000 y hearing
wa, given on the bill few evenings ago, from
which It appeared that the educators OF the state
are practically unit in asking for its passage.
Chancellor Curtis being unable to attend IN"
hearing addressed a letter 70 the committees
having il in charge in which the claims oi | nj
yerSitv extension upon the consideration OF orr
lawmakers were set forth with his characteristic
lncidiy and force. 1T is a proposal" said Mr.
Curtis. "for higher popular education which
could be attained in no other way 50 economical
" and effectively because no other Schcm could
command the same corporation and the re-
sources of the highest institutions Of learning.
II brings into happy accord not only the col
legcs Of the State with each other but with the
great body of the people whose desire for larger
education will be not only crallicd bu' sum
ulaed Il offers TO the youth who's" thirst Tor
instruction is the best augury Of the public wei
fafr an opportunity hitherto unknown. II com
petes in a tine popular sense the educational
system Of New-lOrk and fulils the hope and
purpose of the founders Of the University OF
the state. which was 70 develop Tor is people
a comprehensive system Of higher cdura'ion. j
dccpenS and strengthens the foundation oi the
State government on popular intelligence; ana
the work would be accomplished by no innO5a-
ton Of principle. because 1t has been always
the policy Of the State TO aid higher education.
The members Of the Legislature, we take II,
will be glad of IN opportunity to support piece
of legislation which will set in motion scheme
which means 50 much good for the greatest
number Ncw-Yorl is recognized rs leader i'll
whatever thing, make for enlightenment. 81
she owes il to her reputation to 90 10 the front
with University extension Tho Republican
Senate and the Democratic Assembly naturally
have their differences But here is a bill which
ought to 90 through by unanimous vote, since
it appeals TO what all the members have in com
mon-State pride. tire desire 10 see New-lork
90 on prOSperng and 10 prosper.