Omaha daily bee., 1909-09-26

should put, except in it's graduate schools,
geographical limits TO its sphere Of influ-
ence. The private foundation Is bound to
no such Limitations. The state institution
has its definite constituency. 1t cannot,
with Justice to the taxpayer and a decent
respect for the rights of sister Institutions,
try to extend its influences In ungraduate
work beyond state lines. If a private
foundation has a loyal constituency scat
tered, II may be, all over the country, 1t
Is we'll with that institution. no matter
how many people may disapprove OF It's
methods, may be convinced of the %unsound-
ness of its courses Of study, or dissatisfied
with the particular brand of religious,
moral, or immoral suggestions that the
student may receive within its walls. On
the other hand, the state university to
receive permanent adequate support must
'be so conducted as to command the con-
fidence Of a large majority OF the people
OF the state. The enthusiastic support or
q majority is not sufficient.
warning to Young Men.
The people Of the state in the long run
are very much disposed to pass Judgment
on the university on other grounds than
the reputed eminence OF lis faculty in the
world Of letters or science, or the practical
discoveries that they may make for the
benefit Of the people OF the state. All OF
these things are weighed by the average
citizen OF the state, but they are weighed
somewhat lightly, His Judgment VIII be
determined by the product OF the uni
versity, and especially by the samples OF
the university's product that he sees and
knows. The young men and young women
who go from his locality and return after
having received a university training are
the specimens by which he judges the uni
Versity's product. II Judgment would be
reese rived till the best specimens of the final
product could be examined the students
would need to " no special concern
about the attitude of the people towards
I the university. But the public will not
freshman as he walks the streets Of his
home town at the Thanksgiving recess
quite as carefully as 1t Will notice the
freshman whose bearing shows the gentle
man and scholar. 1t will read the papers
and 1t Is very likely to note particularly
and unfRvorably every student escapade.
II follows, then, that in a state university
the students have, In a peculiar way, the
keeping OF the good name Of the university
In their charge. They are judged by a
more or less critical community and fewer
allowances are made for their short
eomings than are made 70 students OF the
school on private foundation by the lat
ter's devoted constituents.
The attitude Of the people of the state
toward the student body is not such an
attitude as to induce those responsible for
the management OF the university TO sleep
well nights, nevertheless the attitude Is a
Just one and those who are In a measure
responsible for the conduct OF the student
body have assumed their duties with a full
appreciation OF what is expected OF them.
The truth OF the matter is, 90 parallel the
words Of Nelson, Nebraska expects every
student TO do his duty" and, furthermore,
she expects every employe Of the university
10 do his utmost 10 see that every student
does his duty insofar as is consistent with
the exercise OF such liberty as every young
person fit to enter the university has a
right to claim. / take II, therefore, that l
may without improperly specify some OF
the thing that the state regards as i'm
portant, things which might be overlooked
or considered as Of relatively little import
ance upon the university campus. As /
said previously. the American student is
intensely loyal, but he does not always
show his loyal feelings In a way that ap-
peals to the people OF the state. A favorite
way OF expressing loyalty Is in noise, en-
thusiRsm, roofing, cheering victors in ath-
letios or I'm debate, showing loyal support
TO the teams even when not victorious, and
OF us professors. Such loyalty Is charming.
II lightens the burdens OF the teaching
force, Il brings In students, II creates an
atmosphere about the university and con-
tributes TO make the campus here and at
the farm different from any other spots
IN the world and dearer to us. and yet, to
be very frank Il does not OF itself go very
loyalty must also be shown in other ways.
Pitfalls Pointed OUt.
Students are urged by the chancellor 10
avoid sxtravasance In dress or social ex-
pendituTes. that their conduct may not be-
come a reproaeh to the university by rea-
son OF parental dissatisfaction; they are
urged to avoid pharasalcal criticism Of 9TH
ers, and especially 10 avoid the opposite OF
thls by seeming 70 Be tougher thai they