University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1909-09-21
GIVE TROUBLE
A WIDE BERTH
M. U. Discipline Committee
Gives More Advice Than
Punishment.
REALLY SELF GOVERNING
Few of the Franks Are Harm
full and Seldom Is a
Student Expelled.

After fourteen years experience as
chairman OF the Discipline committee
of the University of Missouri, during
which time he has perhaps had more
students tell him their troubles, than
any other person, and has had more
than 10000 young men and women OF
Missouri and neighboring states under
his supervision as regards their discip-
line and daily life. Prof. NJ. L. Lip
scomb believes that the discipline of the
students at Columbia is the best of any
university in the country.
In the history of the University, 81
years, only one case of scandal in which
student of the University has been
implicated, has occurred. Not a single
student has been brought before the dis
cipliEe committee for drunkenness for
three years. In the session of l90S-9,
only one case of cheating in eXamina-
lions was reported by university
teacher, and it was so indefinite it could
not be proved. Not single student
has been expelled from the institution
for three years.
They Listen to Reason.
The University of Missouri has never
had student self-government, that is in
the sense of having a committee of stu
dents to discipline the rest of the stu
dent body, but the students have, per-
haps, come nearer to governing them
selves than at any other university, ac
cording to Prof. Lipscomb. Two years
ago, number of students moved a large
house on the quadrangle of the Univer-
sity. Prof. Lipscomb explained to them
how much money the man who owned
the house would lose, they Immediately
moved it back where it belonged.
After explaining definitely to the
students, either to a group or an indi-
vidual. both sides of controversy, |
never have had a single instance where
the students did not do the square
thing" said Prof. Lipscomb.
Several years ago, one of the great
est causes of criticism of students of the
University that gave more trouble than
any other thing was petty thievery, es-
pecially by athletic teams on hotels and
trains while making trips. We explain
ed to the students that stealing in this
way is the same as in any other, and
we have not received single complaint
for several years. Practically the only
trouble that has come up in the last
year, is petty mischief, such as playing
tricks in boarding houses, and in the
University dormitories."
Little Trouble Over Hazing.
According to the records of the find
ings of the discipline committee, no
student has been brought before the
University authorities for hazing in
three years, and the cases then were
committed during the presidents alb
sence in Europe. This does not mean
that hazing has stopped entirely, but
that it is carried on in more orderly
manner, and openly, consequently it is
more harmless. Hazing at the Uni
versity of Missouri now amounts prac-
tically to compelling the freshmen to
wear caps and the annual class rush at
the beginning of the year.
Last fall, the sophomores set up a
shining parlor on the campus and
compelled the freshmen to black the
shoes of passerbys. 1t was in broad day
light, and even Pres. A. Ross Hill was
invited to have his shoes shined. AL
though he declined, he did not forbid
the amusement. The wearing of
''dinky" caps by the freshmen has prac-
tically stopped hazing at the University.
When a freshman dutifully wears the
cap. he has no further trouble, but
when he refuses and stands on his per-
sonal rights he is likely to have visit
during the night by a committee of
sophomores, who with the aid of a gen.
tie padding, instruct him in the proper
actions of freshman. Prof. Lipscomb
encourages all freshmen to wear the reg
ulation caps.
Il have two sons in the University,
and I compel them to wear the caps,'
he said.
In Advisory Capacity, Too.
The committee on discipline not only
acts in a disciplinary capacity toward
the students, but also in an advisory
capacity. When students get into
trouble, the committee assists them with
advice, and in some cases has gone to
the extent of going on the bond for
students arrested by the city authori-
ties. for infringing on some of the ordi-
nances during a football celebration.
Three years ago tall husky student
ran breathlessly into Prof. Lipscomb's