Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-19
POWER CONFERRED BY POPE
Occupies Uncommon Position Among
Institutions of Learning.
GIFT FROM MISS M. G. CALDWELL
Other Donations From individuals and
sociations-Earnest Men OF
Good Moral Character.

The Catholic University of America will
begin the session of 19C6-07, October z, with
Increased facilities for work along the TWO
broad lines of instruction covering the
scone of the Neutrality-suspicious. Of theology
and general branches of learning leading to
a degree. Ample provision has been mace
for satisfactory accomplishments In larger
measure In both divisions OF the educauonai
field.
In respect to its dual capacity the uni
versity occupies somewhat uncommon po-
sition among institutions Of learning. On
the one hand it is distinctly theological
school Offering comprehensive courses in
canonical law and religious history ana
training while on the other hand II IS
secular to the extent that Its curriculum
embraces many of the general DIVISIONS
of instruction common to the average uni
yersitfes The courses of the university in
this department of its work range over the
academic. the technical and the profes-
sional.
The scope of the institution was Indicated
by the late Pope Leo in an apostolic letter
dated March Z. 1880, in which he said: we
give, therefore, to your university power 10
confer academic degrees and likewise to
bestow the doctorate in philosophy, the
ology. pontifical law. and in those other
studies in which the different degrees and
the doctorate are usually conferred" The
university not only confers the doctorate
but also the bachelor and the master de-
gree and receives DOtn graduate anu uuueI-
graduate students. In the general constl-
tuition of the university is the statement,
I'm the beginning the university shall con-
sist of a faculty of theology. but In the
course of time shall embrace all faculties
pertaining to a complete university.
Inception of the University.
The inception of the university dates back
TO the assembling of the second plenary
council of bishops of the United tsates in
ccn6
the earnest desire to have in this country
university 'in which all branches of liter
AZURE and science, both sacred and pro-
fame, should be taught At the third plen-
1884 the establishment of a university was
resolved upon and its scope was more
clearly defined The offer made by Miss
Mary Gwendoline Caldwell of 100000 for
the purpose of founding a grand theologi-
cal seminary for the higher education of
the clergy of the United States, the semi
nary to form the basis of a future Catholic
university" was accepted and an executive
board was appointed to proceed with the
establishment of the institution.
Washington having been selected as che
site in 1855. in 1856 Ri Rev. John j. Keane,
S. r. D., then bishop of Richmond. was
chosen first rector Pope Leo gave the
enterprise his approval and the university
was duly Incorporated under the laws of
the District of Columbia In 1889 the
school of sacred sciences was opened in
Caldwell Hall. The trustees in 1891 ac-
copied the Offer or Kew. james Nc ManOn or
New York city to transfer to the university
in fee simple property valued at 100000
and Mcmahon hall of philosophy, science
and letters was erected. In 1895 the schools
of philosophy and social sciences were
opened IN this hall.
Other Generous Gifts.
Other generous gifts have been received
from individuals and associations for the
endowment of chairs in the different de-
partments and for maintaining the general
expenses of tine institution. The library
has been increased from time to time by
donations and purchases until it now con-
tains more than 1900 volumes.
The various departments of university
, work are grouped under the heads of the
school of sacred sciences, the school of
philosophy, the school of letters, the school
of law and the school of sciences
The school of sacred sciences is divided
into the department of sacred scripture, the
department of dogmatic theology. the de-
partment of moral theology and the de-
partment of church history and the de-
partments Of apologetics and canon law.
The instruction given by the fac
ulty of philosophy Is designed to meet the
needs Of the following classes of students:
Those who are preparing for the degree
or master of phil sophy or doctor of phi
losophy. those preparing for the degree of
master of arts and those who intend to
pursue courses later on In professional
schools of technology. medicine or law
The degrees conferred in this department
and doctor of philosophy.
Degrees Conferred.
The instruction given by the faculty of
law Is offered through, first. general uni
versity lectures; second. the school of law,
and third. the school of Jurisprudence The
The degrees conferred under the school of
law are: Bachelor OF laws master OF laws
doctor of law. bachelor of civil law, master
OF civil law and doctor of civil law. The
school of Jurisprudence offers courses lead
ing to the degree of jurs communis doctor,
juris evils doctor juris utriusque doctor
and doctor of laws.
The division of technology of the unfver-
ity comprises the department of mathe-
MATES the department of civil engineering.
the department of electrical engineering
and the department of mechanical engi-
neering. The bachelor, master and doctor
of science degrees are conferred in addition
to special degrees in the different sciences.
In the school of sacred science courses
lead to the following degrees: Doctor OF
sacred theology. licentiate In sacred theo-
1cgy, bachelor in sacred theology doctor in
canon law licentiate in canon law and
bachelor in canon law.
The discipline of the university is de-
viSed and administered in accordance with
the view that all of Its students in what
ever department, of whatever age or re-
nSlouS affiliations, Will be earnest men OF
good moral character and studious habits
The regulations are not intended to reach
beyond this. for II Is the policy of the in
does not manifest the proper qualities and
give evidence of a Jealous disposition to
make the best use OF the opportunities at
forded him by his course in the university.
Under It's charter the university is au-
thOrized to enter into affiliated relations
with colleges and semlnaries. In such
cases the AFFILIATED institution preserves It's
Self-goVernment. Several such colleges
which have heen established in the neigh
borhood of the university are institutions
In which members of the. respective re-
ngious communities follow courses In phi
losophy and theology. Their students are
admitted to the university courses either
as auditors or as candidates for degrees.
The following are the institutions of this
class. all of which, with the exception OF
the diocesan seminary of st. Paul are
grouped about the university: The st. Pau
Seminary, st. Paul Mimi; st. Thomas Col
lege, conducted by the Paulist fathers; the
Marist College. conducted by the fathers oil
the Holy Cross; the College of the Holy
Land, conducted by the Order of liars
Minor of st. Francis; st. Asstin's College
conducted by the fathers of the Society OF
st. SulDice and the ADpstolic Mission