The Colorado statesman., 1906-12-01
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO.
An Earnest Plea VIII se Made for Its
Liberal Support.

Boulder.-Among the important mat
ters Of appropriation which will be
presented to the Legislature in Janu-
ary. Will be that Of funds for the State
University. When the Legislature
doubled the mill-rate 1t was the general
expectation that the measure would
provide for the support ad growth OF
the University for several years, but
this expectation has not been fulfilled.
Inc university, according to the re-
gents report, which will be submitted
to the Legislature, is in immediate
need OF money. At the time of the in
crease of the mill-rate everybody
thought the state valuation Of property
Tor taxable purposes would advance
materially from year to year, but in
stead 1t has remained nearly station.
ary in the face of great development
OF the wealth of the state. The ex-
pected Increase in revenue has been
only In small part realized. Again, the
growth OF the university has passed all
the expectations of the Legislature
and OF the regents. What few years
ago was thought to be provision for
prospective enlargements, is now in
adequate even for present necessities
The state has in its organic law
pledged itself to provide through the
State University, "a liberal education
and thorough knowledge of the differ
ent branches of literature, the arts and
sciences, with their varied applica-
tions." That this intent may be full
filled, 1t is necessary that the univer-
sity be given adequate funds. The stu
dent body of the University of Colo
rado represents every section of the
state. Its influence upon the life and
ideals Of the entire commonwealth is
thus made far-reaching. Through it's
work OF investigations through the
IDEALS OF culture and character which
It places before the students; through
the standards it maintains; through
the practical demands it meets in fit
fing young men and women for service,
1T finds abundant justification for its
existence.
An excellent idea of the progress of
the university is shown by the enroll
ment. In 1872 there were sixty-six
students in the university proper, now
there are $50 students, not counting
the summer school and preparatory
school. This increase, according to
Mr.. Merritt Of the Boston Transcript,
is the second largest in the United
States These facts are important,
not only as indicative of the growth of
the university, but as means of show |
ing the influence of the states highest
institution of learning upon the sec
ondary and grade schools of the COM
monwealth. The experience OF edu- |
Gators shows a higher sandard Of sec
ondary schools with the rise of uni
versities. More pronounced than ever
before are the demands for college
men and women in the high schools |
and even the grade schools as we'll |
Broader sympathy and truer scholar
ship are now necessary for the teacher
1t Is not only in this one direction, but |
In those of general standards, require
ments and curricula, that the univer-
sity influences the lower schools, espe-
cially is this true of state university |
The state university is the peoples
university, maintained by them for
their children. AS part of the educa-
tional system of the state it may well
claim the same support and loyalty on
the part of all citizens as all the other
public schools demand. 1t is to be ex-
pected that the Sixteenth General AS
sembly will be as generous in its treat
ment Of the state university as former
Legislatures.
The citizens of the state who are fa-
miliar with the work of the university
what 1t does for the young men and |
women of the state-appreciate that it
needs generous support. No doubt the
members of the Legislature will do what
ever is possible. Colorado demands the
best OF education for her sons and
daughters The regents of the univer-
sity are furnishing such education now
and Will continue it in just as full
measure as the funds placed at their
disposal will permit