The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-03-31

private colleges and universities the
state does not thereby either certify to.
or in any way become responsible. for,
the work of such institutions, any more
than II is responsible for the manner of
conducting the business affairs of min
ing, manufacturing or other private COM
panieS, Incorporated under the laws of
the state. Such a law provides merely Tor
the legal existence of private institu-
tons, giving them the same advantages
that are enjoyed by other private cor
porations. 1t in no wa increases the
prestige of such institutions or adds to
the value of the work done by them. Inc
value of a diploma or degree depends en-
ttrely upon the extent, thoroughness ana
efficiency of the work in the institution
issuing or comforting it. In passing Juus-
ment upon the work of an institution OF
learning, or in determining the value
that should be attached to its diplomas,
inquiry is never made as TO whether the
institution received its charter from the
state or was incorporated in accordance
with the laws of the state, or whether
it has any legal existence at ali.
This is shown by the fact that the
smaller colleges of the east, which nave
attempted to popularize their courses Dy
lowering the standard OF scholarship anu
reducing the requirements for graduation
with degrees, are seldom heard OF except
in official reports, although their degrees
are conferred by the authority granted IN
their charter or articles of incorporation
are general known only to the people OF
the county or state in which they are
located. Their diplomas are either re-
jected or discounted by institutions OF
high standing with the result that only
the indolent and less ambitious students
take their courses. They play an import
ant part in the higher educational work
of the country. Colleges and universities,
like business enterprises, must Stand upon
their merits. They are judged by what
they do. Only institutions that maintain
a high standard and do thorough ana
efficient work grow in favor among the
tain TO positions of honor among the
higher institutions of the country.
While it is true, as the governor sug-
gests, that private istitutions may in
corporate under the existing law provld-
ing for the incorporation of private COM
panies, it is also true that such institu-
tons would be given the power IN their
articles of Incorporation, thus secured, TO
grant degrees. The articles of incorpora-
ton of the Standardization college.
which was recently incorporated under
the existing law. provide that The
Board of Trustees $500. shall grant and
confer such degrees or honors as may be
duly determined
Instead, therefore, of increasing the
powers of private institutions, or open
ing up the way by which institutions of
low rank and inefficient and superficial
work may be established in different parts
of the state, to the injury of higher edu-
cation, this bill, should it become a law,
viii serve as a protection to the state.
While under the existing law an institu-
ton without any endowment or other
source of revenue may incorporate, and
thereby receive the right to confer de-
grees, the bill under discussion provides
that there must be an endowment of at
least 100000, as a guaranty of good faith
on the part of those establishing the in
stitution, before articles of incorporation
can be secured. Only persons who are
actuated by the highest motives would
endow an institution with this amount.
Such an endowment, therefore protects
the state against the establishment of in
stitutions by irresponsible persons for
fraudulent purposes; such, for example,
as the Chicago university, which was ex-
posed some years ago
1t is true that no institution of higher
learning can be maintained on the in
come of an endowment of 800 600: but in
situations with such an endowment gen.
orally have other sources of revenue,
such as tuition fees, and contributions
and gifts from churches, societies. and in
dlVlduals interested in their work. The
endowment OF 100000 is only the beginning
No person or persons would give such an
amount to an institution unless ii was ex-
pected that other endowments would be
maoe, and that the institution would grow
to position of honor among the higher
educational Institutions of the country.
Harvard university began with an en-
doWment of less than s.. 000 but the value
OF us property today exceeds $40 000 001
Yale university began with an endow-
ment of a few thousand dollars which
has increased to upwards of five mil
lions; Lafayette college was in possess
sion of less than $4,000 when It received
its charter in 1925. while the value of its
possessions now exceed 81, 100000 Further
more, the degrees conferred by these in
stitutions are honored throughout the
educational world, and are valued as
highly as are those of any other class
of institutions.
TO SUMMARIZE:
Private institutions throughout the
country either receive their charters di-
rectly from the Legislature or obtain
| them under general law providing for
| their Incorporation.
BY passing the bill under consider
| alton the state does not thereby certify
| to the diplomas or degrees of private in
stitutions; neither does it in any way be-
| come responsible for the work done by
| them.
3-The passage of this bill would in no
way cheaper the degrees of Utah insti-
dependent upon the extent, thoroughness
and efficiency of the work done by the in
situations comforting them.
Without the passage of this bill pri-
! vate colleges and universities may in
! corporate under the existing law and Sc
/ though they may have no endowment,
or other reliable source of revenue
5.-This bill provides for an endowment
/ of 100000 as guaranty of good faith on
the part of those who establish colleges
or universities. before articles of incor-
tects the state to that extent against the
establishment of low grade institutions.
WILLIAM J. KERR.