The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-14
BRIGHT FUTURE
FOR UNIVERSITY
DR.. Alderman Talks OF Many
Recent Improvements to Nir-
giilia's Seat OF Learning.
10 HAVE UNIVERSITY HOUR
Period Will BE Set Aside Tor
Gathering Together Of MI Elc-
ments OF University Life.

After a business trip to NorfoiK
President Edwin \. Alderman. oil .ne
University OF Virginia arrived IN inp
ci,y yesterday morning on his way
HACK 10 Cbarlottesville. Though he
would not say whether he had any
definite object In stopping In Rich-
mond. DR.. Alderman gave out an m
tcrestlng interview in regard To the
prospects of the university and the
many recent improvements which have
taken place in the institution.
"The attendance ut the university
this year" said Or. Alderman, will
pass the 500 mark, there being now
about 10 students in all. The most
interesting feature of student growth
is the increase of the student body In
the college proper. which Will reach
the $40 mark. This is the largest
academic enrolment in the history of
the institution. 1t is also gratifying
10 know that the number of students
from Virginia has materially in
creased
Concerning the entrance require
fnents. he said that the new standard
and the faculty legislation make 1t i'm
possible for men who neglect their
work to remain in the university. a
feature of marked Importance which
has perceptibly added to the quality
of the student body, so far as accom-
plishments of work is concerned.
New Features There.
Fairly fun reports he continued,
have been made in The Times-Dis-
patch of the growth in teaching power.
The new departments o. economic geol-
1gy, under Professor Watson of chem
istry, under Professor Byrd: of physiol-
ogy under Professor Hough, and OF
general surgery, under Professor
Watts, have already received attention.
In general way this summary may
nc interesting. In the past three years
creased % per cent; the teaching staff,
Is per cent, and the student body IL
per cent The hospital is now complete,
and prepared with an outfit of no beds.
rhe law department surpasses all
records III numbers, promising To reach
so men.
One of the greatest needs of the
university is law building and law
library, in which may be properly
housed the lecture-rooms and book
collections of the law school. Phe din
ing-hall. the purpose of which is to
cheaper the living expenses to the
is being made to bring it to completion.
An interesting new feature in the life
of the university is the establishment
by the faculty OF the Colonnade Club,
which occupies the house that was for
merly used by Professor Noah X. Da-
Wis, and that was originally the nucleus
OF the university. This house has
been arranged as clubhouse, in which
the members of the growing teaching
staff and alumni and friends may gath
er for social intercourse and contact
which viii put them into closer rela-
tons with one another The centre
of all interest In any college, after all,
is the life of the students themselves.
The most Interesting manifestation of
their life the coming year may be sum
married. in four directions:
First, the whole athletic life is on
an absolutely pure basis of nonpro-
fessionalism; the revival of the system
Of alumni coaching has put a spirit OF
cooperation and sympathy, into the
whole scheme of athletics that causes
all men TO rally round it; and the
self-sacriticing efforts of the leaders
and the younger alumni are carrying
tile movement to certain success.
Second, there is {; distinct awaken
ing of interest in the literary socie-
work in those societies. This has
been greatly accumulated by the Access
sion of an earnest and capable man
giving instruction IN public speaking
and forensic work.
'snfyersity Hour.
Third, 'fhnro seems to be an earnest
desire on the part of the students TO
cooperate with the alumni faculty in
pa.sf .ttt,e tF tI,.t,. IL
charm the finals at the university.
owing TO the increasing compleNity in
modern college life, the finals were in
danger of losing their especial dis
tinctiveness and this effort to awaken
interest In and TO add charm and life
to the finals is an end much to be de-
sired.
Fourth. there is an effort on foot
to establish II university hour nj
which, at stated times, all elements
OF university life viii come together
and meet each other in democratic
fashion, become acquainted with one
ahothef, and so feel the sense of unity
and solidarity that will come from
such gathering. At this hour there
VIII be an opportunity for all student
Organizations 10 make known their
needs and purposes.
flhaiiy, the establishment of Phi
Beta Kappa at the university. with its
call TO scholarship and with its empha-
SIS on the beauty and tineness of the
scholars life, WILL 1t is believed tend
to give added power and dignity to
academic achievement
The board of visitors will meet on
the 10Th TO consider any matters of
especial Importance that may come IN
1T this time. Or. Alderman viii re-
turn to Charlottesville this Afternoon