The Delawarean., 1900-09-15
pelaware COLLEGE. 1aOo-O1.

GeAAWarO OO1leRe. l5OO-Uls
Delaware College leopened for the
collegiate year 1900 OF, ON September
12uh, with a Freshman class OF rs, one
OF tine largest in recent years. Be-
sides the members of ohe Freshman
class there are new members of other
classes, and several graduate students.
The new class shows high average
OF preparation, and the Freshman
class of last year enters upon llhe
Sophomore year better equipped, per-
haps, than any other Sophomore class
in the his sory of the College.
This year goes into effect the newly
adopted curriculum prepared by the
Faculty and approved by the Board of
! Trustees. The distinguishing feature
of this curriculum is an extension of
the elective system in the Junior and
Senior 5ears, especially the Senior
Henceforth students may after the
Sophomore years specialize in the di-
rection of their needs, tastes and
abilities. Such specialization, how
ever, must be systematic, and in ac-
cord with THE views of the Faculty.
Those students, for example, who wish
to make "a speciality of mathematical
studies, may drop other ordinarily re-
quired work at the end of the Soph-
omore year and substitute for such
work an equivalent in mathematics.
On the other hand, students who do
not feel the need of am extended course
in mathematics, may drop the subject
at the end of the Sophomore year, and
specialize in language, natural science,
literature or history At the same time
the mathematical work of the Fresh
man and Sophomore years has been
strengthened, so that the student who
drops the subject at the close of the
Sophomore year will have had de-
cidedly fuller course than has hitherto
been provided in those two years.
lit is THE hope and expectation of the
Faculty that the effect of extending
the elective system will be to spur
students to more thorough work in
1.-THE departments in which they yolun-
tarily specialize. The expectation is
that such specialization will beget the
habit of thorough work, of studying
the subject rather than the text-book.
and that the libraries and laboratories
of the College will become the true
workshop of the students.
Delaware College hopes this year
and in all succeeding years ito do more
than she has hitherto done for matureI
students, who desire ito use the insti-
tution for short periods as direct-pre-
paration for studies in professional
schools. 1t is perhaps not generally
known throughout the State, that the
College, with its class rooms, libraries
and laboratories, is fully open to
young men who need brief special
course in preparation for the study of
law, medicine or Divinity. Such stu
dents, when of mature age and earnest
purpose are received upon somewhat
different terms as to entrance require
ments from younger students who
come seeking degrees. 1T is felt by the
Faculty that the presence of such
earnest men of mature years and de-
finite aim tends to give desired tone
of studiousness and sobriety to the
student body. Young men having needs
THAT the College may thus meet should
write Ito the President for further in
formation touching this subject.
An interesting new departure was
made at the last meeting of the
Alumni Association when that body
authorized a committee to solicit from
the alumni contributions in aid of the
General Library. The growth of the
library will be greatly crippled this
year by reason of lack of funds unless
the Alumni respond generously to the
request now about to go out. Such of
the alumni as see this notice and fail
to receive the circular may address
contributions to Chas. B. Evans, Treas
urer of the Board of Trustees, Newark,
Del.