The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-11-06
A TRAVELLING UNIVERSITY.

A section of the university of Min
nesota will go ION tour again this
year. For one week last June, the
people of number of small towns in
Minnesota had the state university in
! their midst in the form of its most char
acteristic activities, and the eighteen
communities benefited have unanimously
asked that the experience be repeated
this year.
University week" is the institution
by which this is made possible. The
project originated with President George
y. Vincent of the university of Mime
sofa, and at once gained the popular
nickname of President Nincent's edu-
eational circus" largely because of the
touring method and the fact that it
was at first planned to hold most of the
sessions in tents.
| The plan is something more than
merely university extension. To all in
| tents and purposes, a representative por-
ton Of the university faculty, stu
dents and equipment is temporarily de-
tached and transferred to other parts
of the state. thus actually extending
the benefits OF the states costliest edu-
cational plant to wider field than ever
before. The plan is considered by the
United States bureau of education an
excellent device for bringing together
for mutual profit state university and
the people who support it.
What University week. really is may
be seen from a typical program. Each
day OF the six il devoted to some special
topic, with lectures and demonstrations
during the daytime and high-cass enter
tainments at night Thus Monday il
business Mems day." There are lee.
lures on all kinds of topics interesting
to business men, from marketing prob
lens to fighting forest fires as we'll as
a few talks of more general naturs. In
the evening there is concert by the
University Glee club. Tuesdas Is "Art |
and Literature day" with lectures on
libraries, children's books, women's |
clubs, civic betterment, the drama, and |
similar subjects. There is reading |
hour in the afternoon, in charge of a |
trained elocutionist, and an industrial
art exhibit; in the evening, an Illus
trated lecture; Art in Common
Things"
Wednesday is "Home Welfare day."
In the day sessions such problems as
The Human Beings of High School
Age" why Babies Die rational living,
and industrial education
are considered, while at night promi-
nent educator gives an Illustrated lee
lure on How Minnesota .Educates Her
Children Thursday is Public Health
lay" with appropriate lectures and ex-
iibits. In the evening there is dra
matte recital of modern play.
Friday is Farmers day" and live
questions OF farm policy are discussed ,
~ experts in agriculture. There Is also !
IN address on "The Social Possibilities
II Rural Communities, by an educator
Who has made special studies in this
leld. In the evening professors from
he university give scientific demon |
tration of the gyroscope and liquid air. I
saturday Is Town and Country day." !
With Social Iife in Town and Country" !
s the leading topic. In the evening the !
University Dramatic club appears in :
Merchant of Venice"
Genuine interest is aroused in the &
owns visited. In most instances, the
eople take the visit of the university | 8
$ the business OF the week. and devote
II their attention to it, Not only the =
ownspeople, but farmers from outlying
istricts as well, attend the sessions.
oys' farming camps are organized in
with the university week"
nd always prove a popular feature. The
authorities and those who CO.
Derate with them-state health boards o,
nd other agencies-are particularly n
lrsful TO provide speakers who not only a
now their subject well, but are able
, talk interestingly to a university y
idience. The expense of obtaining such ID
EN- would be prohibitive but for an in s,
,nious arrangement of circuits, where =
Y the travelling University week" is 81
be TO play" six communities in the NJ
me neighborhood by interchanging VI
Tvs. II
II is estimated that there are several !.
avs in which this novel plan Of extend ID
Q the influence of state university ca
III have a direct effect: In the first :
ace. il will make the work Of the uni
rsity wen and favorably known where
has before been known only vaguely !
even mistakenly; il viii break down wa
e already weakening barrier of educa- Ad
NAL exclusiveness; and more impor- ,
Mt still, il is one more link in the cid
ain Of rural hetterment. II empha- 20
IS an essential point in the present re-
Y conception Of rural life-thst town =
d country are one community. "