The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-01-23
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS.
Biennial Report Of the Board Of Regents 10
the Governor.
800 STUDENTS ARE NOW ENROLLED
Tho Institution Has some PRESSING
Nceds--A LARGER Income from
Lands IL Noted.

the University Of Texas for the years 1s9
and 1898.
The growth Of the university during thi,
period has been very gratifying. The mum.
Der OF students In 1897 was ISL and In 1859,
500, being a gain of 191 over the enroll.
ment of the two preceding years. This
gain was made In the face OF Increased
requirements for entrance and for grad.
uation, and Notwithstanding the unfayor.
able influence OF fever epidemlcs and finan.
cial depression.
The area OF student patronage has also
been Increased, until 1t now includes one
foreign country (Mexico), seven States and
100 counties in Texas. The popularity of the
university and its adaptation to the needs
OF our people is evident from the fact tina,
Its patronage represents forty Ave differ
ent trades, occupations and professions
over one fourth of its patrons are farmers
who equal In number the lawyers, nler-
chants, physicians and ministers COM
bined.
Nearly half the students in the univer-
sity pay their own expenses, either by
money which they have previously earned
or by labor while they are pursuing their
studies. 1t should be among the foremost
duties OF the State to aid this class OF
students and Increase their number by
furnishing board and lodging at cogt and
multiplying facilities for self-stipport. The
educational advantages of the university
should be made accessible to the largest
possible number of the youth of the State,
and especially to those who through imam :
cial Inability arc least .:ole to secure them
This cum be done only by reducing to the
lowest point the cost of living, to which
end there is need of additional dormi-
tory and mess hall accommodations.
While the university has grown rapidly
In The extent and area of its patronage
during the past two years, aud while the
attendance In the academic department
is already 25 per cent larger than last
year. there has been still more gratifying
advance in the standards of scholarship.
The requirements for admission have been
raised to as high point as seems COM
patible with the present condition of our
secondary schools. and the requirements
for graduation have been strengthened by
specific additions and by proper subordina-
ton and correlation of studies Certain
fundamental studies essential to mental
culture and certain International studies
essential to good citizenship have been
prescribed in all courses leading to de-
grees. With these restrictions and SUBJ
feet to approval by the faculty. students
are permitted In the later years of their
courses to select their studies with refer
ence to their aims in life or their individ-
'ial tastes and talents. In short, the uni
versity is steadily elevating its standards
Of scholarship and guarding its degrees.
with due regard to the condition of our
public schools and the necessities of our
people
Advanced work has been carried on in the
in several lines of study but
lack OF teachers. or apparatus. and OF
books has prevented desirable growth In
his direction. Those OF our graduates who |
seek advanced work and training have as
, Ia f<.T t~t o-e
er equipped institutions elsewhere, like
Harvard. Columbia, Cornell and the Uni |
fersity OF Chicago. During the pas. two
ears fellowships and scholarships. repre-
enting eight different lines OF study and |
ggregating In value several thousand doll !
ars. have been bestowed upon graduates
II this institution by universities in other
;tates. II is natural that many who thus
cave the State never return, and thereby |
Texas is deprived of a class OF workers I
hat she especially needs Our own uni
ersity should be better equipped for adj
anced instruction with teachers. appnra
us and books. and our graduates should
e encouraged and aided by means of schol-
rships and fellowships to receive higher
raining and carry on advanced work In
'exas Scores of ambitious and jealous
tudents, seeking advanced training and
pportunity for original investigation.
'ould welcome adequate equipment for
his purpose in our own university, and
Y patient, intelligent and unselfish study
problems affecting the life and welfare
our people, would In after years make
mple return for the small expense In
lrod in their training.
There has been some increase in the
,aching force of the university during the
asst two years, mainly In the limo OF addi
onal instructors for the lower classes.
hereby large classes have been divided
ITO small sections and more efficient in
ruction has been given; but, excepting
| pedagogy and botany. new lires of in
ruction have not been added, There Is
eed OF additional teachers in several
mes. and 1t is earnestly hoped that funds
ecessary to their employment may BIO
,pplled by the present legislature.
The increased efficiency of the university
brary deserves especial notice. Since the
st report the library has been moved
to q larger room, and put in charge OF a
aimed librarian, The number of books
avn by students the first year after {
5 removal was more than twice as great
the year before, and this session there
further increase In its use OF % per
mt. The library Is the daily working la !
,ratory OF the university. essential to
oper instruction in every subject Pro-
sion should be made for Its regular an ,
ial increase, and as soon as possible. !
fire proof bnilding should be erected Tor
permanent protection. I
n beginning mas ueen. tIthuc III COtlcCtlNH
aterial relating to Texas history The q
to Governor D. NJ Roberts donated {
the university his entire collection OF :
oks and private papers. and the Texas /
sterans' association has also donated its !
storical collection. A fre-proof vault is /
on to be constructed for the temporary i
eseryation OF this and ether similar ma
rial, until such time as the university q
ny he enabled to possess iire-proof !
Hiding. i I
Tho university has accomplished great n
al during the past two years towards /,
proving our public schools. BY estab- =
hing a school OF pedagogy for the spe- =
II training OF teachers. by opening all :
courses OF instruction 20 teachers 81 &
nrs old. free FROM regulations governing !,
for degrees, by conducting sum !,
sr schools for teachers who are unable :
attend regular sessions OF the university. =
systematic communication with teachers y
rough circular letters and private corr =
spondenco. and by sending mel bers OF y
faculty TO visit, inspect. address and !
iliate the State high schools, the uni o
reity has shown Itself fully alive to It's y
ty and It's opportunity as the head OF ie
) public school system OF Texas. But "
is greatly hindered N this work BY lack 10
funds. Additional equipment Is needed a
the school OF pedagogy and additional 10
chers for the summer schools. The iin- al
,yerient Of orr public schools depends 50
inly upon better SUPPLY Of thoroughly tps