Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-10
UNIVERSITY OF wIscONsiN.
scope and working Diviaion Of Unit
versfty ExtenaiOm.


University extension in Wisconsin
works under four main de-partments-ccr-
respondenoe study, instruction by lectures.
debating and public discussion. and general
information and welfare said Director
Louis e. Raber OF the University OF Wis
consin extension division In addressing the
convention of the Association Of American
Universities, which includes twenty-five
universities Of the country. which opened
Its session here this morning.
The correspondence study department,
though scarcely past It's third year. shows
q registration of over $780, continued
Prof. Haber. Q these about so are
working for university credit. Nearly
1000 are engaged in special studies with
vocational bearings. The remainder are
entered for general or preparatory courses.
For industrial employees in correspond
ence study classes nothing less than dis
trict organization will avail. The plan
Of It's final fulfillment embraces classes of
correspondence students under local di-
rection in manufacturing districts studying
shop mathematics, machine construction,
and other subjects fundamental to nechan-
ical processes; in mining districts, engaged
in courses Of study designed to improve
their proficiency in mining engineering; in
commercial %centers, taking business
courses; in fact, university extension, eff
fectively administered, offers vocational
training directly applicable to prevalent
industrial conditions In every part of the
state.
"Wisconsin's organization at present In
cludes but two districts, and covers about
one-fifth of the state in area. One dis
trict has its headquarters at Milwaukee,
the second at Oshkosh. In the Milwaukee
district in less than two years, over 1000
students have been enrolled for vocational
study. The courses taken include shop
mathematics. mechanical drawing, steam
engines, electricity. business management,
accounting, commercial law. n others of
a like practical bearing. 1t is not unusual
for the employers to cooperate with the
university by supplying a suitably fur
nlshed class room and permitting classes
to be held during working hours, an evil
dence OF interest which should bear fruit
is improved relations between employer
and employe. Frequently rooms in schools
and libraries are used for ihstructlonal
purposes, or accommodation is supplied by
the university.
In the Oshkosh district. also, where the
work is Of recent Inauguration, keen inter
est has been manifested by employers OF
labor. In one Instance the owner of large
business interests has offered to pay the
fees of all employees who complete courses
Of study. He has supplied we'll furnished
class rooms and has equipped them with
books recommended for the students use,
The department OF instruction by lee
lures depends at present upon recruits from
all departments ofNthe university, and. al
though limited by insufficient funds, IL of
use in spreading educational influence in
the cities and towns of the state. With an
adequate appropriation for its further de-
velopment and the assistance OF an effec-
tive field organization, 1t can be made a
powerful instrument for betterment. The
department OF debating and public discus
sion is securing good results also. Bulletins
proposing topics for debate and giving ref
erences for both sides OF the question are
published by this department and sent,
without cost, upon application. In the last
year, through this fundamentally, assist
ance has been given in the study Of current
topics to 12s high schools and academies, to
thirty-two women clubs and mems organ
nations, and to a number OF others. Some
is, GOO bulletins have been distributed and
$3.50 classified articles have been lent.
Thousands Of people have been helped to
learn the facts relating TO such subjects
as the immigration problem. good roads,
the commission form OF government, etc,
and to think and talk i~ntelllgentiy upon
them. 1t is impossible to estimate the value
Of widespread training OF this character
especially for the rising generation. to
whom many of the problems now under
discussion will come for solution