Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-07-26
U. '. N. DROPS ATHLETICS
Senate Also Favors Postp0ning
Opening until October 10.
Executive Committee Of Trustees Took
Similar Action Previous Day
Names Of Men sin the serv.
ice" to be Posted.

The postponement Of the opening Of the
State university until october 10. from
| September 20, was approved by the uni
versity senate at meeting Thursday. The
senate also expressed itself in favor OF
abandoning all intercollegiate athletics
during the war period. an action like that
Harvard, Yale and Princeton already have
voted for. Both decisions coincided with
action by the executive committee Of the
board Of trustees on Wednesday.
The university will post as soon as pos
sible on the bulletin board in the Old Mill
the names Of alumni who are performing
or will soon perform service for their
country, along with the names of under
graduates who are doing SO. The latter
names the university has, and the former
| It will try to obtain by means of ques-
tionaire.
OPEN LETTER TO STUDENTS.
The following letter was sent to the
students of the university Friday. appris-
ing them Of the facts that the institution q
opening will be delayed, athletics aban-
doned. etc.:
To the Students Of the University Of Ver-
mont:
Vermont and patriotism have always
been synonyms. The students Of the State
university proved true to the best tradi-
tons Of the past by enlisting In various
forms of service soon after the declaration
Of war last spring. One hundred per cent.
Of those available entered the Reserve Of
fcers' training camp at Plattsburgh Many
others who were eligible became members
iof the naval reserves and the United States
marine corps. Still others are in the dis
charge of their duty as members Of the
National Guard. A large number Of our
young women and more than hundred
young men are serving the country by
helping to conserve and increase the food
tSupply on farms in Vermont and adjoining
States. More than 90 per cent. of our un-
dergraduates have indicated the intention
to continue their preparation for larger
| service by returning to college In the fall.
This most commendable purpose has the
hearty approval of the President of the
United States and his associates in ma
tional authority. In order, therefore,
hat those now employed in important tenn
porary service may have time to COM
plete satisfactorily their summers work,
the opening of college will be postponed
from the twenty-sixth Of September to the
tenth Of October. All former and pros
pective students will please govern them
selves accordingly.
In view of the fact that the United
States has entered upon a righteous war
to make democracy safe throughout the
world, the faculties and trustees of the
University of Vermont feel that the high
est patriotism demands some real sacrifice
on our part as an indication Of the SYM
pathy we feel for all the commendable
efforts inaugurated to promote the speedy
and complete triumph of American arms
on land and sea. In such times as these
when every loyal citizen of the country
is cheerfully contributing to the extent Of
his ability for the support of the Red
Cross. the Young Mems Christian associa-
ton work and other important movements
necessary to meet war conditions, It would
be most unseemly for college students
to incur unnecessary expense in riding
upon trains and living at hotels in order
to engage in the usual intercollegiate
Of peace. During the period of the war.
therefore. the University OF Vermont will
abandon all intercollegiate athletic activi-
ties. We hope to make satisfactory COM
pensation for this self-denial required Of
our students by the substitution Of intra-
mural games and thus meet all demands
for the pleasant and profitable recreation
essential to healthful student life.
In full confidence that our loyal students
will heartily approve the policies an
nounced in this letter and that every one
will be glad to do his bit in patriotic self
denial for the cause of universal freedom
am.
Sincerely your friend,
(SignedD GUY POTTER BENTON,
President of the University of Vermont
and State Agricultural College