The Washington times., 1909-09-25
NEEDHAA DENIES
A LACK OF PUPILS
President of @. w. u. De-
clares, However, That More
Instructors Are Needed.


now looks as J.. we would have 10 add
one or more instructors in each OF two
departments TO provide FOR an increased
enrolment and in but one department
will there be a falling off, according 10
early reports of the deans"
In order TO set at rest reports regard
ing the alleged precarious status of
George Washington University, DR..
Charles W. Needham, its president, this
morning went over the work and the
prospects for the year in each of the
branches of the university. His state
ment made today regarding the stand
ing OF various departments follows con-
ferences With OF informal reports from
the deans of these departments. He con-
tinued:
Il wish to characterize such state
ments as that 10 the effect that but
four pupils have enrolled in the medical
school as absolutely absurd This re-
port grew out of a statement made at
the hoard meeting that four freshmen
had registered on a certain day. and
of course. did not take into account
previous registrations of new pupils, the
registration of last years pupils and
The fact that the registrations are open
until October Is.
Record Enrolment.
The registrations in two depart
ments OF the university. according 10
Or. Needham, have already exceeded
the actual enrolment at this time
last year. These departments are the
law and the college courses. In both
OF these a substantial increase is ex-
pected and IL is in these that Dr..
Needhsm thinks additional instruc-
tors viii have 20 be provided.
THE ono Ger,a ~, 1af,f 1nra 4barp will
he a falling off," declared the president,
will be i'm the medical department and
this was expected last year. Even there
the decrease probably will not be as
great as we feared. Tt'is natural and
comes from the change IN the hours
during which the course is taught. The
change will affect few OF our old pupils.
but is likely TO cut down a number OF
entrants who will not find the new hours
convenient"
The financial status OF the university
as il bears on the continuance of the
present policy was. gone over thoroughly
by DR.. Needham IN his statement today.
The fear expressed that the university
might curtail it's course along certain
lines during the present school year was
set at rest by him.
Won't Close Department.
There is not the slightest possibility
Of closing-any department, or curtsil-
ing or altering the course in any de-
tail during the present school year" he
said. I'VE have MADE all the arrange
ments TO carry the work through the
present year according to the plans
mapped out when the present DOlicy
was agreed upon, and we would not
have done this had we not had definite
grounds and assured funds 10 DO 1t
with
rs there possibility thaS there will
be change next year,
There is a possibility. of course. But
IL is not probable. Should any unfOr-
seen occurrence make such a change
necessary-and / want TO make IL en-
phatic that IL is not expected or antic-
ipated-it VIII still not affect the new
policy Of greater university
Probable Changes.
Should any change be made next year.
DR. Needham explained, IL would not
be IN the curtailing of any Of the de-
psrtmcnts. II probably would be effect
ed, he said. by cutting down on TN tech
nical subjects taught in the undergrad
uatc school
BY technical subjects" he continued.
II mean those in the college course that
demand expert teachers, and, Of course,
demand added salaries to the teaching
staff I think IL would be a serious mis-
take 10 do this unless il is absolutely
necessary. and II will not be done this
year"
Or. Needham declared the reports
which he branded were misleading were
prompted by a lack OF understanding
Of the aim Of the new regime
The general public seems 70 be in
ignorance of what the new policy
means. And II IS not hard 70 under
stand II includes just three things
The first is that the sciences are be
Ing taught IN connection with the arts
The secord, and the one that has
aroused most opposition, is the plan
TO provide comprehensive technical
courses IN both UNDERGRADUATE and grad
nate work. This change Is not so sweep
ing at IL would seem. for these tech
nicsl branches have been introduced
only so FAR as tho tuition Of the 7u-
pills who take them pay for the sslar-
is Of The added members Of the teach
ing staff
Best Teachers Possible.
THE third is that in tho established
departments OF the university the best
methods should be used and the best
teachers obtsinable should be provided.
This IN the LONG run 1 believe will be
the best advertisement for the school
"In these three things Die the root
Of whatever dissension may have been
caused II is the same question that
every university IN the country has
faced from time TO time, with the old /
line professors backing the classical ca
ucatfon and the rest Of us standing
for more modern methods
IT.
Needham thinks, will remain intact
1T is a splendid body Of teachers, |
and one Of which Washington as well I
as the university should be proud. The /
latest addition is Major Frederick T.. ]
Russell. T.. & A, who teaches In the /
Army Medical School, and IS curator (
~ the Army Medical Museum We
were able 10 obtain his services be- /
cause his hours at the army school /
arc from . 20 - i'm the morning, and /
he will only be needed at the unlver ]
slty between I and O'Clock in The
afternoon.
He declared the one year in which the
expansion policy had been tried had
proved to Tie heads or the university its
value.
Demand in Washington.
we believe there Is in Washington !
unique demand for education along GER
tam lines that IS not me: elsewhere. II !
IS got because We think that the country 4
needs another great university 80 much /