The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1910-09-28

OF your association in the older
states, and as in Great Britain coll
leges widely separated in space are
federated into one university. we hope
to have a greater university than
that by law established, consisting of
all colleges and schools In the state
in cooperation.
1t is plainly possible by voluntary
cooperation and federation for in
situations to unity the educational
forces of the state. Indeed associa-
lions like the North Central associa-
ton of colleges and secondary
schools. for great group of states,
have been able to bring about a prac-
tical comfy. cooperation. and estab-
ltshment Of standards. How much
more might this be possible within a
limited territory like a state? The
popular assemblies, like the State
Teachers association. with their de-
partments and educational councils,
open the way for closer relations,
that might be stronger even then
legal ones. The Iowa experiment has
begun with governmental relation,
and limited to the three higher in
situations. Already the governmental
and lay board is wisely recognizing
the need of an expert council in the
establishment of the board on Sec
ondary school relations, which
sprang out of the recommendations
Of committee Of nineteen from the
three faculties, five each institution.
Herein is the suggestion of an
academic council. While the twenty
states, which, like Iowa, separated
their college of agriculture from the
state university, watch and wisely
wait the working out OF the expert
ment OF governmental unification in
Iowa, might not these states vigor-
ousiy try other experiments less radi-
cal Suppose the governing bodies OF
the sepa ate institutions and the
faculties founded conference for
certain common purposes? In such
case the public. private and church
institutions might seek confederacy.
The public institutions might per-
suade legislature to have q standing
and visiting committee. Certainly
those who object to governmental CO.
ordination, which springs out of the
! attempt for educational unification,
might attempt some voluntary eff
cient way. They rightly press the
need of preserving the individuality
Of the different kinds of institutions,
and the enthusiasm Of their special
patrons. They fear tendencies to
compel dead uniformity to seek an
average. or the manning of this or
that institution in the desire to avoid
unnecessary duplication. Let them
be equally Jealous in positive meas
ures for coordination. Is it too
much to hope that the vision of an
ideal republic of letters within the
state, an imperium in impeni will, If
not in this generation. ultimately be
fulfilled, and why should not these
states in the middle west lead the
way?
The elements are at hand for a
combination Of the unified system Of
the state Of New York with the best
in the system of a western state hav-
ing q great state university filling the
gap in the New York state system.
A commissioner of education, not a
political Office like that of state su-
|! perintendent, would be a minister of
education, or educational statesman,
worthy to be what the chancellor of
the University of Nebraska is called
| In the statutes-"the chief educator"
AS the commissioner of education
in New York is ex officio member of
the board of trustees of Cornell, in
! part state university, SO should this
commissioner be a member of the
! governing board of the state institu-
lions Of higher learning. Or possibly,
better yet, with the proper evolution
Of the presidency of the state univer-
sity. when that officer is relieved by
deans Of colleges who are virtually
presidents of them, he might become
the co-ordinating officer sought.
Things Demanded.
In conclusion, whatever may be the
results of the interesting Iowa en-
pertinent in beginning the correlation
with a representative common board
of some size. on an honor basis. with
its action focused by finance COM
mittee, one thing is clear. that econ
omy, efficiency, and solid education,
and all the interests Of the state from
center to circumference demand the
coordination of all public institu-
tions. 1t is evident the happiest pro-
vision will include the cooperation
with full state recognition of private
institutions. and with the state uni
versity as the co-ordinating center,
| -.