Daily Kennebec journal., 1914-01-19
ARTICLE VII.

ARTICLE VII.
/. WHAT ARE THE REASONS
| WHICH CALL FOR A NEW BUILD
| ING?
IL The High School as Civic Uni
versity.
In the preceding article I pointed out
a certain number of studies, the addi-
| ton of which to our curriculum was
| Immediately and imperatively needed.
I also pointed out how this might be
accomplished with great economy of
money by having one central build
ing, a single outfit, and one individual
teacher for the several grades whose
preparation and varying tastes had
already fitted them for these wider
opportunities of study. Each of these
studies as fast as added would carry
us directly forward toward that great
| ly to be desired goal of the Civic Uni
versity.
Up to this point no studies have been
suggested but such as are demanded
by the most obvious and inevitable re-
quirements of our advancing civiliza-
ton. Now I wish to show why and
what other extensions to this curricu-
lum can be made without a single ad-
ditional dollar of expense, centering
around the High school, making it a
kind of Civic University, Gaping and
crowning our educational system and
offering greatly enriched opportunities
| throughout our city and the surround
ing towns.
a. This is exactly what the High
school should become in it's curricu-
lum, aim, and power in every town
where a college or university does not
exist. IT should stand in the intellect
ual and civic life in the place which
our churches take in the moral and
spiritual life. 1t should lend its infiu-
ence, stimulus, and help to all people.
old and young alike.
b. For the overwhelming majority
of our citizenship our High school
must continue to furnish the highest
and only practical ideals of what the
intellectual life should be. How i'm
portant then that it should be equipped
| to nourish these ideals and to render
the widest possible service. This it
can do only as 1t becomes a kind of
| Civic University.
C. Moreover it is the business of our
| educational system and most of all our
High school to furnish not merely new
| ideals but new ideas. The very sub
! ject matter of teaching has undergone
marvellous change within the last
| generation. There is modern point
/ of view from which we must see the
world of today. Without this point of
view the fundamental conceptions of
/ life, of science, politics, industry, NOR
/ ality, and religion will forever remain
sealed mysteries. Neither can these
ideals or new ideas be adequately
taught except as our High school
| takes on more and more the features
| of n Civic University.
d Again 1t must be said that the
primary service of the public school
racy is TO inform and educate all citi-
zenship. Such education is the only
possible hope for the continuance of
| our democratic institutions. To our
| High school more than anywhere else
we must turn for this enrichment and
extension of courses which alone can
supply this abiding need of our citi-
! zenship.
Q. In the following particulars we
! can still further extend this Civic Uni
versity idea. No one will possibly
/ question but what if we are to have a
new building one of its commanding
! features must be lecture and enter
| tainment hall. 1t must be large enough
Ito accommodate the biggest audience
which our citiZenry would call forth.
| Such a room has long been a crying
need of our city. 1t has always pre-
vented the giving of many lectures and
entertainments, or forced them into
sectarian buildings, or places demand
| ing heavy rental cost. Lecture courses
having wide and lasting educational
value, and self-supporting, could at
once be added to our present courses
! of StudY