The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-09-25

The students OF the University Of Wash
,ngton held a meeting yesterday 10 discuss
the order adopted last Tuesday by the
board OF regents. requiring all students TO
take the regular gymnasium drlIl. The
meeting was called 70 order BY Henry L.
Reese. president of the student assembly.
and Frank W. Smith Immediately read the
following resolutions, which we're adopted
with few dissenting voices:
Whereas The board OF regents OF the
University OF Washington has enacted the
following rule. to-Wii That all students
not excused Dy ine president for physical
disability ne required 20 take the regular
gymnasium work. and since Il is the in
tenlion OF the president TO enforce this
order 10 Inc letter. and
Whereas. There are many students de-
pendent upon their own daily efforts for
sustenance while in the university who
would suffer great hardship. even 10 the
extent OF leaving the university. on &C
count Of this rule. and
whereas. There are certain student en-
teTprlses. such as football, track athletics.
the college paper. etc, which We believe
10 be for the best interest OF the university
at large, that viii be seriously interfered
with and perhaps entirely prevented by
the enforcement of the aforesaid order:
and
Whereas. About three-fourths of the
men IN the university are required TO take
military drill for three hours a week. and
this additional burden would entail upon
them severe hardship. and
Whereas, Compulsory gymnasium work
threatens seriously TO interfere with the
election Of studies already made for the
term and In many cases for the year; and
Whereas, Ii Is not in accordance with
the liberal policy that should prevail in
the administration of a university to rem
der compulsory such work as gymnasium
Resolved. That We. the students of the
University Of Washington, strongly pro-
test against the said order OF the board
OF regents. and respectfully ask that II
be reconsidered and abandoned. or at
least rendered less severe and burden
some; and further ask that the entire stu
alton be carefully investigated before the
order Is enforced.
The regular gymnasium work consists of
three half-hour periods a week, entailIng
loss 70 the student Of about four hours
a week. Secretary Davis says il was not
the Intention Of the board to require much
gymnasium work OF those taking military
driil. or TO make Il severe for those who
have outside work and little time. but the
order IL general. and President Edwards
says It viii Do enforced rigidly Mr.. Van
der Neer Is willing to consider football
training equivalent 10 the regular work
TO which President Edwards does not con-
sent
Among the young ladies. some of them
say that here ofore some OF the work has
been 80 severe as TO be detrimental TO them
physically, though others do not complain
on this ground.
This action OF the board was contrary
20 the judgment OF the faculty and the
recommendation of President Edwards.
The position Of the president Is that the
gymnasium should be open 10 students the
same as other departments: and for those
who need the exercise he recommends that
10 be- taken Ia the gymnasium. lie 10 s
8ot deem "a the Kind Of work for which
credit toward graduation should be given
ind this is also the opinion of the faculty.
q. IS true that credit was given last year
out % compenS8 for This twenty hours
were added 10 the amount required for
graduation. This was not reiished by the
students. since ordinarily ,hey would earn
only twelve hours in military drill or
physical culture. When this credit feat
ure was dropped in this years catalogue
there was general satisfaction. Last year
the sophomore and freshmen women were
required 10 take physical culture 10 make
Up Tor the military drlll required for two
years of the men. This also has not been
done this year.
Mr.. Wander Neer says the order just IS
sued By the board q more comprehensive
than ac would desire. If enforced Ia the
/ lester. and DE favors eScusiag the cadets
and tbe football men and reducing tbs
work for Juniors ana seniors 20 Two periods
L Week