The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-06-14
THE STATE UNIVERSITY.
Report of the Committee Appointed 10
Visit ard Inspect II,

To the Beard of Trustees of the Uni
verSity OF North Carolina:
The committee appointed to visit and
inspect the jnNersity met in Chapel
Bill April 9Th, all bong present. They
attended lectures and recitations in
every department of the University,
inspected the laboratories, museums,
library and gymnasiums; examined
the Bursar's accounts, attended morn
ing prayers in the Chapel, consulted
privately with each member of the
and conferred with the Senior
class IN a body as to the condition and
management of the University. and
personally inspected the University
campus, buildings and lands. They
endeavored both by personal obserya-
ton and by conference with others, TO
inspect the University thoroughly, as
TO its material condition, it's discipline
and executive management, its de-
partments and methods of instruction,
it's moral and religious life, it's health
fulness, its financial condition and its
needs.
The campus and buildings are i'm fine
condition, and present very pleas
ing appearance. An air of brislness
pervades the college, and tells of it's
new active life. The electric lights,
water supply and the sanitary arrange
ments and conveniences contribute
largely to this result. The water sup
ply, however, is inadequate at times
and should be enlarged. The village
has caught from the University it's
spirit of progress and growth. New
houses, graded streets, and better
drains tell of progress and prosperity.
The new life of the University is visi-
BILE everywhere.
The executive management of the
University is wise and progressive.
New ideas. new methods and new pur-
poses have transformed the old Uni
versity. without destroying the good
that was i'm it. There has been happy
blending of progress and conservatism.
A new, strong, and vigorous University
is rapidly building upon the founda-
tions of the old. The discipline, NOR
atty. and religious life of the Univer-
sitv are admirable. We saw few evil
dences of the petty annoy
ances that usually disturb the har-
mony of college life, but on the con-
trary were struck with the happy and
cordial relations existing between the
Faculty and the students. We visited
the buildings at night and found them
quiet and orderly. The students are
all enthusiastic in their loyalty to the
institution. The are attached to it by
the strongest ties of love and admira-
ton.
The President of the University has
the institution well in hand, giving to
its management all his powers of mind
and body. He manifests an active and
wise interest and supervision III all
departments. and is ambitious to de
velop it in all directions. He is aided
by strong Faculty, learned, faithful
, and harmonious.
We were pleased with the methods
of instruction in the departments
Every thing seemed full Of life and vic.
or. Most of the departments are rapid
ly expanding by the addition of adj
vanced courses offering opportunities
p, for specialization. Some men were
, taking special courses extending
, through five years. Tn the sciences
instruction is given mainly in the lab
oratory or in the field, thus bringing
the student in direct contact with ma
ture. The division into small sections
of the large Freshman and Sophomore
classes has greatly improved the quail
itv of the work. We hope that this
arrangement will be permanent. Much
work of very high order is being
done by the professors and their adj
vanced students in special societies
organized for original work. The
Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society for
scientific study and research: the
Shakespeare Club for the English and
Classical Philology; the Philosophi-
cal Club for the study of questions in
ethics and psychology; the Historical
Society for historical study and re-
search. Besides these special organi-
cations the Dialectic and Philanthropy
ic Literary Societies offer unusual OPP
portunities for general literary cul-
ture and for training in debate, decla-
nation, compositions and oratory.
There are also many secret fraterni-
ties in the University whose influence
in some directions is wholesome and
patriotic. The recent regulations con-
corning these fraternities restricting
membership in them to the Sophie
more, Junior and Senior classes of the
college or to the Law and Medical
Clubs, the committee believe to be
wise and necessary. The proper en-
forcement of these regulations will not
only eradicate troubles and evils here
tofore existing in college life, but also
will prove beneficial to the fratenities
themselves.
We found the entire University deep
~ interested in the subjects of athlet-
les, and very much alarmed lest hasty
action should be taken by the Board.
1t was the general sentiment that pro-
hibitory action by the Board would be
a serious blow to the University.
The committee examined into the
matter with deep interest and great
care. They are satisfied that some ex-
cesses have been committed hereto
fore in the number of intercollegiate
games, and in the time consumed play
ing them, as well as in the conduct of
the students who have gone to wit
ness the games. The President and
Faculty have been observant of these
evils, and have given long and careful
thought to their correction. They have
adopted set of regulations, which
have been heartily accepted by the
students, to prevent future excuses.
The committee are unanimously of the
opinion that the Faculty thoroughly
understands the situation, that they
have the interest of the institution at
heart. that the students do not desire