The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1912-08-29
ELECTION OF REGENTS.

that university regents be elected by
the people, as they are in many states,
instead of being appointed, as they
now are in Wisconsin, by the governor
often on the suggestion of the univer-
sity itself. Mr.. Cary's letter follows;
81 have never yet seen Legislature
that the university could not manage,
and never expect to see one" Such
was the statement of an experienced
university regent, man who had been
close observer OF Legislatures for
many years. He might have said with
equal assurance that he had never
seen board of regents that the uni
versity could not manage, and did not
expect ever to see one.
"The university is essentially self
governing institution.
"In the past seven years six regents
Of unusual ability and prominence have
resigned. First came Col. Villas, next
Gov. Hoard; next Regent Hanks de-
clined to serve longer; then followed
Regents Norcross and Magnus Sven
son, and now Regent Birmingham.
Everyone of these men was deeply in
terested in the welfare of the univer-
sity and ready to make great personal
sacrifices of time and strength in its
behalf. All of them were men of large
vision and marked business ability.
All but two were Madison men, and
all were members of the executive
committee-a committee that, to a
large extent, transacts the business of
the institutions. Did these men grow
weary in well-doing, or become SO alb
sorbeG in their business as to want to
quit the public service?
at is probably correct to say that
the point Of view of the regent body,
as whole, is essentially wrong.
When appointed to tn, office of regent
the average man seems unconsciously
to take the point of view of the univer-
sity as an end in itself and to feel that
he is special advocate and defender
OF the university at all times, in all
places, and under all circumstances. |
am not saying that this is the attitude
of all the board at all times, or of any
one regent all the time, but | believe
it IS the fundamental, unconscious at
titude Of the majority of the board of
regents always. The university is the
creature of the state, established not
for itself, or to glorify anybody con-
nected with it, but to serve well de-
fined educational purposes which the
state regards as essential to its well
fare. The proper point of view, there
fore, for board Of regents is that OF
the intelligent public rather than that
of an ambitious institution.
"Since the university was created in
the beginning by public opinion and
has ever since been, and must always
be supported by public opinion, pubic
sentiment and public money, would it
not be more in accord with modern
ideas to have a board Of regents elect
ed by the people instead of a board APP
pointed by the governor? Let no one
infer that ! intend to criticise the APP
pointments made in the past; | am
criticising the psychological effect the
system has on board members. | have
made it point TO inquire of compet-
ent persons as to the success of the
method of election of regents in certain
states where such method is in opera
ton. In no case have | found the
people dissatisfied with the plan of
having the electors of the state choose
the regents.
THAT the university would be OPP
posed to such a method of selecting
regents is an easy guess; but it does
not follow that the people would not
be better satisfied if they were in
little closer contact with the institution
and had better opportunity to tell
the regents from time to time what
they think Of their stewardship. The
university can safely trust the people.
1t is their university
Danger from politics? That danger
is not 50 serious as one that is inherent
in the present method. That danger
Is that the university may dictate, or
at least suggest, to a governor the APP
poin:ment of regents who will do the
bidding of the university in every inn
portant matter. AS affairs now stand,
the university is very remote from the
The people elect the COVER
nor; the governor appoints a board of
regents; the regents elect president,
and the president, with the approval
of the board, selects faculty and
deans. The internal organization is
shaped 10y the university itself. If the
citizens OF the state wish to modify or
curb the action of the university, what
is the method OF approach2 Literally
there is only one, and that is the club
of appropriations, But If the univer-
sity is able to manage the majority of
the legislature, even this club is
mere shadow.
sin these letters only the high spots
have been touched. None of the crit
icisms have been aimed at individuals.
They have dealt with general policies
and the system OF doing things. The
university needs to be saved from it.
self, 1t has praised itself SO long and