The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-01-16
THE UNIVERSITY AND THE STATE

Leaving out of consideration, right now, all or any dis
cussion of the merits Of the consolidation question, there is
a phase of the agitation of this proposition which seems to
us to call for serious thought on the part of every citizen OF
the state and especially of us in Missoula, where the state
university is located.
From positive information which we have, we know that
the state agricultural college at Bozeman, the state school
of mines at Butte and the state normal school at Dillon
have gone ahead, earnestly and zealously, with their regular
work since this consolidation question was suddenly thrust
forward upon public notice; these institutions have not al
lowed the agitation to sWerve them from their duty to the
state-the duty Of proceeding to the fullest extent Of their
ability with the prescribed routine of the curriculum of each
institution.
At the university, the situation is different. The CONSOLE
dation agitation has been permitted to overshadow all other
activities in the university. 1t cannot be denied that the
regular work of the institution has suffered from the intru-
sion of this question into the time and energy of faculty. and
students alike. Members of the faculty have ~madelong trips
to other parts of the state in the interest OF the consolidation
propaganda; it has been almost the sole topic of discussion
at faculty meetings and it has become an obsession with the
administrative organization.
We are told that members Of the faculty, discussing the
consolidation question before semi public meetings, have
made the statement that the university at present amounts
to nothing. With present conditions prevailing there. we
are inclined to believe that this statement will, very soon,
But suppose the university faculty expended the same
amount of time and energy in exploiting the advantages OF
the university, would not the result be entirely to the better
ment of the institution? There are many advantages which
the university possesses-these have been enumerated upon
previous occasions to the benefit of the school. We recall
one Montana university bulletin, devoted to the c%onsidera-
TO1 OF the advantages VI lHC SHldll university, Will dttloSt
ed favorable notice in the nations educational circles.
The states institutions are not yet consolidated. Whether
they are to be consolidated or not, is not the subject OF this
brief discussion. The students at the university have en-
rolled there with the understanding that they were to re-
ceive the best there is for them. They are not getting it.
The members of the university faculty are engaged bv the
state to carry on the work of instruction. That is their o.
most duty. Unless they are explicitly instructed by the state
board of education to engage in campaigning, one way or
the other, in the consolidation question. their only duty is to
carry on the prescribed work Of their institution and to the
nerfornoance IF This d1tV thew should devote their entire en-
ergy. -
The states institutions of higher education are now in e-
actly the same position which they held a year ago-and a
year before that. Then there was no question as to the etti-
cheney of the state university. 1t was rightly regarded as a
strong institution with high standards and able instructors.
Nothing has occurred since that time to warrant the state
ment that the university is feeble or notwithstanding ex-
cept what seems to us to be.a neglect Of duty by the faculty,
evidently acting under the mistaken idea that its members
are called upon to campaign for consolidation.
There can be no question but that the university is suffer
ing. Unless the present tendency is checked, there will be
warrant for the statement that the university amounts to
nothing"