Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-02-28
UNIVERSITY OF new MEXICO.
An Eligibly Located and Well Conducted
Territorial Educational Institution
Something Of Its History and Work
Attendance Increasing.
Special Correspondence New Mexicnn.

little distance east of the Santa Fe de-
pot. upon the mesa. stands the building
of the University of New Mexico. The
structure itself is imposing in appear
ance, and commands splendid view of
the surrounding country, which takes in
the mountains to the east; to the
west the Rio Grande and its valley, and
to the north and south, that depends
upon the powers Of vision possessed by
the visitor. The person who wears
glasses and can not see very well, wishes
that he were not afflicted with short
sightedness-in more ways than one
when taking IN the magnificent pano-
rama.
But the external of the university is
secondary to that which is in the in
terror, and the work done therein.
The building is large and commodiOus,
of three stories and basement. The
latter is devoted to the heating and ven
tilating apparatus, on the first floor are
four recitation rooms and two offices; on
the second floor the arrangement is
similar to the first, but the Office rooms
are occupied as experimental science
rooms; the third floor is given up to an
assembly room, and an apartment
which can not at this time be classified,
since it is filled with collections of min
erals and other valuable plumber in
state of transitory arrangement How
ever it is all calculated to advance the
cause of education.
The school has been in successful OPP
Grafton for five years, and in that time
Is diplomas Of graduation and many
certificates of satisfactory work in more
limited courses of studies have been con-
ferred. But the best indication of the
nature of work done, Is the constantly
increasing attendance, the enrolment
at present being 100, the largest in the
history of the school. The course of
study embraces all the English branches,
mathematics, sciences. arts
and normal course, giving the students
the opportunity to acquire liberal and
useful, as well as ornamental education.
In fact, the young man or young woman
who takes the course prescribed as nee
essary for graduation, if halfway APP
plication is given, will go out into the
the world much better equipped in
mental development and knowledge
than the majority of those who have
reached middle age in the year 1898.
This assertion is not made for the pur-
pose Of giving a rosy hue to the ednca-
tional skies of New Mexico, but is based
upon facts which are demonstrated
every day in the recitation rooms of the
The faculty is composed Of nine ex-
perienced educators, with Professor c.
l.. Herrick at the head. The teachers
are enthusiastic in their work and their
efforts are responded to in an encour-
aging manner by the pupils. There is
no evidence of lack of interest in
classes, and the laboratories, expert
ment rooms and written exercises on
the backb0ards, all indicate thorough
instruction in all branches. The skep-
cs in the territory may be inclined to
say: THAT writer Is repeating what
has been said of every institution of the
Kind in tho territory, and does not know !
1 university from frog pond but that
IS all right. The proof of the pudding |
IS in the eating; the proof of the merits |
If u school is the manner in which in
,truction is given and it's results, and
jhese proofs can easily be seen by spend
ng few hours in the building.
So far as fittings and apparatus are
the university is we'll sup
olied, but here the old, old complaint
S heard. ''We are fairly well equipped,
out more is wanted, and as fast as pos
,ible the necessary purchases will be
made No one need remain away from |
5he school, or go elsewhere, for fear of
inadequate equipment; it is first rate at
jhe present time, and is constantly |
growing better. Why, the old log
school house, with its punchcon floor
md crude desks is thing unknown to
she territorial educational institutions
If New Mexico, while in some of tho
middle and eastern states it is still not |
unknown.
The training of the physical part of
The students Is not neglected In the at
;empt to develop the mental powers. |
The young ladies use the assembly |
room for calesthenics which are en-
gagged in under the eye of competent
The young men are pro-
yided with separate building for a |
gymnasium, which is well supplied with
athletic appliances. There is now in
course of construction, in connection
with the gymnasium, a bathroom which
will prove of benefit to the young giants
after indulging in violent exercise.
The university, like other new schools
is somewhat handicapped, in that there
Is no boarding place near the school,
but the board OF regents intends to
provide this much needed feature
In the near future by the erection of a
dormitory for the use of teachers and
students who may desire to live on the
grounds. 1t will be furnished with all
The modern c0ntrivances for comfort,
and will result in a much larger attend
ance upon the school.
Among the noticeable features of the
school is the library, while it Is not OK
tensive, it has been selected with special
reference for purposes of the students,
and contains many valuable works OF
and in works of a general ma
ture it is excellent. From the proceeds
Of the annual matriculati0n fees addi-
lions have recently been made which
raise the standard of the col
lection.
The different apartments are well
filed with students, as the number en-
rolled indicates, and no dweller in the
territory need be ashamed of the uni
vcrsity in any particular. O. l.. r.