Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-11
ENLARGING IT'S SCOPE
ADVANCED VIEWS OF COLUMBIAN
UNIVERSITIES FUTURE.
Address by President Needham Out
lining Policy-Suggestion by
Board of Trustees.

Columbian University, as the center OF
the various schools which now constitute
that Institution, was the theme yes
terday afternoon of brief but forci-
BILE address by the president, DR.. Need
ham. His address met with an en-
thusiastic response from the faculties
and students present in the assembly hall OF
the university. 1t was a mass meeting.
called in the interest Of advancing the great
object that President Needham has in view,
the promotion Of the growth of q true
university, and not to have merely group
of schools. The students in all departments
were well represented in the throng that
filled the hall, while on the platform were
seated representatives of the different fac
ulties and Of the board OF trustees. College
yells made the echoes ring while the audi
ence was gathering. and the spirit of devo-
ton to the university which was displayed
at the beginning continued to mark the
proceedings of an eventful meeting in the
history of the institution.
A hearty welcome was accorded President
Needham, the presiding officer, as he came
forward to open the meeting. The recep-
ton which was given him was a forcible
expression OF the cordial relations which
exist between the head of the university
and the student body.
Talks Of Expansion.
DR. Needham's theme was loyalty and
growth and his earnest words found q
hearty response in his audience. He
pointed out how the policy was being de-
veloped of merging all the schools into a
great university, just as already the former
faculties of these schools now composed
the council of the university. 1t was the
desire, he said, that students should real
ize first that they belonged to Columbian
Jyy,fy a1x thnHy MIGHT n
rolled In different departments.
DR.. Needham then said that the great
object was to promote the growth or g.
true university community. with athletic
grounds and a campus of it's own, contain
ing adequate buildings and dormitories,
and which should come to be in the best
sense great national university, worthy
of the nations capital. This might be long
in coming, but he felt sure 1t would event.
ually come.
He then spoke Of the intercollegiate de-
bate which had been arranged with George
town University, and which was to take
place in May. There are to be three pre-
liminary contests, he added, open, to all
students of the university, and as the re-
suit Of these contests the men who will
represent the university will be chosen.
Athletics Considered.
Another topic taken up by President
Needham and which was received with
many evidences Of approval was the organ
ization Of the new board Of directors Of
university athletics. consisting of nine
members. three each from the faculty, the
alumni and the student body.
Mr.. E. R. Alexander; one of the student
members Of the board, then came forward
and gave In detail some of the plans of the
board. His proposition to have a univer-
sity base ball team during the coming sea-
son met with the liveliest kind Of interest
and a unanimous expression to give the
movement hearty support Prolonged cheers
were heard in response to his appeal to
stand by the president in his efforts to adj
vance the interests Of the university.
Addresses on the general topic of univer-
sity expansion were made by DR.. James
MacBride Sterrett of the department Of art
and sciences: by DR.. Kerfoot Shute OF the
medical department; Judge Walter Van De-
vanter of the law department, and Mr.. Luz
Their M. Walter, president Of the senior
class of the school of jurisprudence and
diplomacy.
Five hundred of those present agreed to
attend a smoker to be held at the New Will
lard April 10, when the subject of univer-
sity development will be further consid-
cred.