Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-05-05
PRESIDENT BAER
DECLINES OFFER
OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE TO GET
NEW CAMPUS
STUDENTS IN CHAPEL CHEER
TWO ANNOUNCEMENTS
Head of Institution States That He
Believes Opportunities in South
ern California Exceed
Those of East

A new and enlarged campus lot OC-
cidental college and the statement OF
DR.. John Willis Baer, president Of the
college, that he had decided to remain
as head of the institution, having re-
fused the offer of the New York col
lege board to become the secretary,
were announcements that created en-
thusiasm among the students of Occl-
dental yesterday morning.
President Baer announced his dec1s-
lon at the chapel service in the hall OF
letters yesterday morning and the
student body gave him a demonstration
that will long be remembered.
Despite the fact that the welcome an
nouncement was made in the chapel,
the young men and women cheered
again and again, and the reception was
one that must have been deeply appre-
ciated by DR.. Baer.
When the further statement fol
lowed, that of the movement for a
greater and enlarged campus for Oc-
cidental, the demonstration was con-
tinued with more ardor, If such was
possible. Even the young women stu
dents clambered upon chairs and re-
peatedly cheered the popular president.
The change in the present site of Oc-
cidental college will not be made until
after the opening of the present school
year, which commences September l.
but active plans will be inaugurated
at once.
Following the announcement of Or.
Baer, the trustees of the institution
met and decided to start the campaign
for greater Occidental, one that VIII
make the institution the greatest
Christian educational school in South
ern California. Projects and offers of
new sites for the proposed campus Will
be received and welcomed at once by
the board of trustees.
Following the meeting yesterday
morning Dr. Baer was presented with
resolutions from the trustees thanking
him for his loyalty to Occidental col
lege and pledging him hearty co-opera-
ton and support in his future plans
and work. All members of the board
of trustees were present except Sena-
tor Frank Flint, who is in Washington
on business, and James McFadden of
Santa Ana.
Believes in California
The following statement was issued
by President Baer yesterday afternoon:
~ have definitely decided that I will
remain with Occidental, and / am con-
tented and happy in the decision. l
feel greatly honored by the New York
call. and I am not unmindful of ats
splendid opportunity for a national
work. I have taken ample time to con-
slider the cali and l am sure my life
work is here. From the very first l
have not been able to see that my duty
was to 60 1 honestly believe the OPP
portunity here in Southern California
| is a bigger, broader and better one
| The expressions of loyalty and prom
| Uses of cooperation that have come to
me from the student body, the faculty
| the alumni and the trustees have
bound me to Occidental with stronger
| ties than ever The substantial and
hearty backing that has come from old
and new friends, some of them infiuen-
tial citizens whom I have never met,
is significant evidence that the inter
est in Occidental is widespread.
THE trustees meeting yesterday
was one long to be remembered, be-
cause the board and president of the
college unanimously committed them
selves to a forward movement which
has been under discussion for some
time. The conviction has been grow
ing that the present campus in High
land Park was inadequate for the fu-
ture needs of Occidental and move
should be made as soon as it can be
wisely. We believe that the college
REQUIRES a campus of at least fifty
acres. Just when the move can be ac-
complished from the business stand
point of the trustees l cannot now say.
It is a. large problem, requiring much
care and thought Meanwhile we are
raising the standards of our curriculum
and stiffening the entrance require
ments. The prospects for student at
tendance for the new year is certain
w heartening. We shall of course re-
main where we are for the coming
school year which begins in Septem-
ber."
Citizens object to Removal
Citizens of the beautiful suburb of
Highland Park were aroused to instant
action yesterday afternoon when the
announcement of the trustees of Occi-
dental college asking proposals for new
sites was made public. Not an mixing
that such a plan was in contemplation
had ever been preached in the neigh
borhood of the college. hurriedly
called meeting of surprise and indigna-
ton was held last night, and COM
mittee of influential citizens was ap-
pointed to smooth over any rough places
which may annoy college existence in
Highland Park. A statement to the
public was issued by the committee,
which is composed of the following:
Charles Mckenzie, Rev. f. w. Rey-
nolds, Judge N. Blackstock, Carl G..
Packard, o. D. Bennett, S. G. Wing,
Building superintendent ]. ]. Backus,
DR.. 5. Y. van Meter, Judge u. M. HAM
mack and c. Fl. Randall, editor of the
Highland Park Herald. The statement
follows:
Occidental college will not be moved
from Highland Park. Announcements
in the afternoon press will no doubt be
misunderstood by many friends of the
/ college. Consultation with college au-
| thorities discloses the fact that the
call for site proposals is merely tenta-
i tive; that there is a strong desire both
on the part of President Baer and trus-
! tees to continue the college where it is
on account of many advantages which
no other location would enjoy. At the
same time there are difficulties in the
present situation which the college
authorities think must be overcome OIL
a move made"
SAN BERNARDINo ANGLER
CATCHES LARGEST TROUT