Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-01
OPENING CEREMONIES
Beginning of Year 1904
at Columbian.
PRESIDENTS ADDRESS
THE LAST TERM OF STUDY IN OLD
BUILDING.
Outlines of Plan for New Home
Washington College of
Law Opens.

Exercises incident to the opening of the
collegiate year of 10000 of Columbian
University were held yesterday afternoon
at 400 o'clock in University Hail. The
year just entered upon will be the last dur
ing which the institution will be located at
18th and III streets northwest, as work will
be begun in the latter part of this month
on the Columbian University building
on the Van Ness estate, which has been ac-
quired for the future home of the we'll
known seat of learning.
President Charles. w. Needham, in an adj
dress delivered to the student and faculty
bodies, outlined the plans of the coming
year. AS this term marks the close of
study in the old home. so is it announced
to be the banner year in the number of
students enrolled, there being between 1900
and ], 400 names registered upon the books.
The exercises were opened with prayer by
Rev. Samuel II. Greene, d. D., after which
President Needham delivered his annual
address On account of the advance made
by the institution this address partic-
ularly significant. and careful outline Of
the reorganization and new plans of the
university was given by the speaker. After
welcoming the students, he paid tributes to
Prof. Huntington and Prof. Miller, recently
deceased.
In the course of his address DR.. Needham
stated that institutions, like men. must
move forward to higher service If they
meet the reasonable expectations of the
worlds best minds. Times and conditions
change he said, and for that reason the
agencies which fit men for these new con-
ditions must change and advance. The
beautiful city in which live has had a
marvellous growth, and today we are sur
rounded by its busy life. These buildings
which
less desirable for educational purposes by
the distraCting movement of the cityS traf-
tic. We have outgrown the accommodate
tons of the old habitation. greater serv-
ice requires more room and new facilities.
Enlarged life should have greater space to
work out Its larger aims. To meet these
demands the university has selected new
site, and the first purchase of land has been
mad,.
University's New Site.
Describing the new site of the university.
the speaker stated that the purchase con-
tatns about five acres of land and fronts
south upon Potomac park and east upon the
Presidents park, commonly known as the
White Lot. If the city of Washington
grows to be a city of millions, he contin-
ued. as many believe it will, the university
will still be at the center of the city life
and its environments. so desirable, will
never change or move. In speaking of the
cational work of the university in the de-
partment of arts and sciences has in later
years been carried on in three separate
schools, the college, the Corcoran Scientific
School, and the school of graduate studies.
The new organization of this work, which
goes into effect today, does away with these
schools and establishes one department. of
which are all membership department
of arts and sciences The educational force
Is organized with head professors for each
subject, with professors. assistant profess
sors. instructors and assistants. to carry
on the work. The advantages of this
rangement, he said, that the work of the
student is progressive from the time he en-
tiers the institution to the end of the re-
search section. He will not have to repeat
or go over any of the ground twice in any
subject, and, taking all the sections out
Incl he will cover the whole field of study
in the subjects pursued, In the second
place, 1t gives the student during his entire
student life at the university the benefit
of the best minds upon each subject, and
this will strengthen the undergraduate
work
Feature of New Home.
One of the features of the new university
building will be the more attractive college
life aimed at by the heads of the institu-
ton.
Upon the new site provided, said DR..
Needham. dormitories will be erected and
rooms provided for social and fraternity
purposes. which will add greatly to the ad-
vantages offered by Columbian to this class
of students. furnishing them attractive
rooms to live in and a college life.
lie also spoke of the change made in the
hours of class room work. BY the action of
the board of trustees. he said no work will
be done by any professor, a member of the
faculty. after $50 o'clock in the afternoon.
Those taking the twelve hours course will
attend classes between the hours of 4 and
$50 on six days Of the week. AS heretofore,
fff- ariA hflre tfN,.SE Il r-iv1rp
rooms of the university will be open under
the charge of competent men until 10
o'clock for the accommodation of students
who desire 10 avail themselves Of these ia
cilities.
DIR. Needham spoke strongly in favor of
every student devoting some time to phys-
cal culture. and commended to them the
careful division of their time to give
reasonable time to recreation, that the
body may be made sound, strong and
efficient agent of the soul. He urged the
students to support the athletic organiza-
tons.
Announcements Made.
Announcements of minor matters relating
to the newly organized classes were made
at the close of DR.. Needham's address by
Mr.. Claiming Rudd and the various pro-
fessors.
The opening exercises of the departments
Of medicine and dentistry will be held this
evening at o'clock. DR.. Needham will pre-
side and addresses will be made by DR..
Thomas A. Clayton and DR.. Henry Clay
Thompson.
Monday afternoon at 43O o'clock the
opening exercises of the department of law
Will take place at the university when
Henry st. George Tucker, ID. D.. dean of
the department of law, will deliver an ad-
dress. Tuesday afternoon. October G. the
opening exercises of the department of
Jurisprudence and diplomacy will be held
at the university. Dr. Needham and Others
Will probably deliver addresses.
The registrar, Mr.. VIM. A. Reid regis
tered new and old pupils, and it was stated
that the registration of new pupils was 100
Per cent larger than in any year heretofore
and Included both women and men This
college began originally a woman's law
school. but is now cO-edUca tional in ex-
tent, and has attained its eighth year with
surprising increase In students
Reopens for Its Eighth Year.
The Washington College of Law reopened
for its eighth year at the halls on New
York avenue with "a large gathering of
graduates students and friends The ,lrip