The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-06-19

pledges for a Woman's Building now
in the hands of the secretary, might
we'll be called Conservatory Hall,
both as indicating its predominant
use, and as a bid for confidence in
the department of music and art. 1t
is very much to be hoped that events
may so shape themselves that the
building, so long dreamed of, may
become reality. 1t is needed, not
only to give character and suitable
accommodations to the departments
of music and art, now without any
room that they can call their own,
but also to provide other facilities
for lack of which we are suffering.
At the earliest practicable moment l
trust your honorable Board will ap-
prove my renewing the canvass to
complete the full sum required for
the erection of such a structure as we
ought to have.
7. My plan would be to utilize
one-halfthe basement of the proposed
Conservatory Building Gf l may ven
ture to so name it, for school of en-
cheering. The additional expense
of preparing the basement for this
purpose would be comparatively
little. On the other hand there is a
very special demand on the part of
young men today for practical in
struction in mechanical and electri-
cal engineering, and if we were able
to furnish good facilities for such
work, it would doubtless rapidly be-
come one of the most popular feat
ures of the university.
If we could avail ourselves of our
outstanding pledges toward the pro-
jected Woman's Building, being
about S31 900, besides the amount
needed to pay for the Ladies Hall, 1
feel sure that $4,000 or $12 900 more
would enable us to erect the Conser-
'vatory Building, and set up the
school of Engineering in its base
ment. 1t would be an immense gain
at small cost. These improvements
would increase indefinitely the stand
ing and the drawing power of the
University. Of course, however, for
the new department of engineering
we should require at least one addi-
tional professor; but should con-
fidently expect that some fair portion
of his salary would be produced by
the increase of students attracted di-
rectly by his work. This, of course,
belongs to the future, but it ought
not to be very distant future.
s. The old Boarding Hall has
stood unoccupied and at risk for
year. / believe we should do we'll to
put it to use as a dormitory for the
divinity students, making their resi-
dence there compulsory, except in
special cases. The progress of the
students and their thorough ingratia-
ton into their chosen calling, depend
upon a measure of isolation which
will create certain special atmos-
phere. Room rent at moderate
charges should pay the full cost of
maintenance and repairs. Two of
the largest downstairs rooms might
be used for classes, thus affording
relief from the crowded condition of
the main building. We need, how
ever, divinity hall on the campus
properly arranged and equipped for
the particular requirements of that
Where is the man or
woman wLo will erect for us such a
building as his own enduring me-
morial7
9. | should not fail to mention, as
an important feature of the past years
record, the considerable number of
lectures which have been given be-
fore the students. The list of lect-
urers is quite an extended one, in
GLIDING the names of DR.. Shutter, of
Minneapolis, Rev. j. j. Lewis, of Chi
cago, DR.. Augusta j. Chaplin, DIR. W.
A. Colledge, of Aurora, Dr. Sheriff.,
DR.. Stocking, and the Rev. Mr.. Ben
ham, of Galesburg. These lectures
were given without charge, were
greatly enjoyed by the members of
the University, and did much to
widen our horizon and guard us
against the danger of provincialism
which an institution like ours con-
stantly incurs.
10. l submit herewith reports of
the several instructors showing the
work done by them, and offering
some recommendations as to changes
in the future, all of which is made
part of my report.
I have thus scantily sketched the
work we have been engaged upon
during the past year, the changes
we have made, (Which trust are also
improvements), and the immediate
naada Of tho TIn;vors;tu in var;o,,a