The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-27

university for the past year;
 The Library.
 The work of re-organizing the library proceeds under the direction of Miss Ora I. Smith and will probably be fin ished during the coming year Since the work must be done during the reg ular and summer sessions, it cannot be advanced rapidly.
 In order to facilitate this important work a specially trained assistant is very necessary and if possible should be pro- vided at this time.
 A building for the library is one of our greatest needs. Without it further expansion is not possible. The best de- velopment of the university cannot be accomplished unless adequate library fa- cilities be provided in as much as the general library is the working laboratory of the various schools of the academic department.
 Boarding Department, Men.
 The Student Boarding association con tinues to operate the university dining room. The steward and treasurer of this  dent of the university from list suo- mitted by the board of directors which board consists of four seniors, three jun iors and two sophomores, elected by the students living in the dormitories. The treasurer of the association, who is un- der a 5000 bond collects fees for table board. s11 per month. and pays all bills hNy ha steward. All checks or warrants issued by the president are countersigned by the president of the board of directors. The books are open at all times to in- spection by the president of the univer- sity. At present students who live in the dormitories provide their own furniture and for the most part keep their rooms in order
 Boarding Department, Women.
 The Tutwiler annex (dormitory for wo- mem is inadequate to meet the demand for boarding accommodations for women. During the current year a nearby resi- dence has been used as a dormitory for women, but, combining both buildings, only about "A can be provided for. Many young women who seek admission to the university do not come because boarding accommodations cannot be obtained A living hall for such students is one of our greatest needs A building which would accommodate 100 could be filled easily for the next session.
 Gymnasium.
 What has been stated relative to the need of special buildings for the library and the dormitory for women Is equally true of the gymnasium. Along with men, tai growth go physical development. Without such development the best men, tai culture is not possible.
 Our facilities for the promotion of phy- sical culture are not commensurate wltn the necessities of students and l rec ommend that you give this matter your careful consideration at this time. A mod ern and well equipped gymnasium is among our most urgent needs-many be- leve 1t to be the greatest.
 Athletics.
 Athletics of various kinds are encour- aged and every effort is being made by the faculty 10 place it upon the highest possible plane No student is permitted to participate in any intercollegiate event who Is not believed to be eligible under the rules of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic association in which the univer- sity holds membership and there is notice able willingness to comply with the reg ulations in spirit and in letter.
 Under the able coaching of Dr. Pollard. professor of physical culture, our teams have made splendid records and are claim ing the baseball championship of the south.
 But field sports do not provide for all Only a mionrity of students are benefited physically. An adequately equipped gym nasium is necessary to reach the many. 4..4r aarfra ch@ff fflI be provided.
 Department Expansion. The establishment of the county high schools for which the last legislature made provision has greatly increased the demand for specially trained high school principals and teachers and 1t becomes incumbent on the university for the pur- pose of supplying such principals and teachers to enter upon an expansion of the department of philosophy and educa- tion The normal schools are unable to supply the demands for teachers for ele- mentary schools even and it Is unrea- sonable to expect of them that they will be able to meet the additional demand for high school teachers.
 No institution in the state Is making special provision for the training of teach CTS for the high schools. It is conceded generally that such teachers should re- ceive college training. Necessarily and logically, that training should be under taken by the university and to that end 1t is recommended that you authorize the development of the department mentioned into professional school to be known as the department of education, and to be organized after the plan outlined in the new catalog.
 The plan suggested provides for the or . eanization of special faculty for the de- partment of education, to be composed of teachers in that and related departments and schools with the professor of educa- ton as dean
 The courses have been so arranged as to permit students at the beginning of the junior year to begin to specialize in ed ucation, with d view of obtaining a the close of the senior year the degree of bachelor of arts in education or bachelor of science in education. and after an additional year of study, master of arts or master of science
 In this connection, permit me to report that the presidents of southern state uni versailles have recently naugurated a movement having for Its object the se- curement of donations from the Peabody educational board for the erection and equipment of special buildings for the de- partments of education in such institu- tions. The amount suggested is ,O0( for each, and there is reason for the hope that the movement may be successful.
 Leave of Absence.
 The practice of granting to professors leave of absence on full or part pay for the purpose of study and research Is growing among colleges and universities l,