The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-08-05
Great Influence OF University OF Vir-
ginia Welded to Meet New
Conditions
KEEP THE YOUTH IN
SCHOOL IS THE SLOGAN
Whisc Country Calls for More Ma
tured Men In the Forefront Of the
Fight, School for Young h Ne<cs-
aary.

mas haruiy Yet been estimated will
be upon the educational institutions
OF the country. Before the entrance
OF the United States the question was
as to what changes would have to be
made in curricula in order to adjust
them to new needs. Since the United
States declared war the problem has
been to see to it that the colleges and
universities in the country give free
ly OF their young life for the trenches
and national service. yet continue
their work without decentralization or
loss OF poise.
In the forefront OF American edu-
Gators who have considered this prob
lem. is President Edwin A. Alderman.
of the University or Virginia I'm
mediately after the outbreak of the
war three years ago he began to dis
cuss in public addresses the changes
I'm methods and subjects of ins;ruc-
ton which the conflict would make
advisable. Since the United States de-
clared war he has devoted large
part OF his energy towards showing
how dangerous to the country would
be any serious depletion OF the COL
lege enrolment at this critical time
OF our national life England has
had a tragic experience ne said.
because out of her universities young
men have poured. regardless of the
fact that science and learning must
live in nation. We can not incur the
risk OF losing the intellectual leaders
of the coming time. ! can think of
no higher form of patriotism. there
fore, than the patriotism of the man
who makes sacrifices to send his
young son. between seventeen and
twenty years OF age. to college or uni
varsity this fu1j ~ rtr ct " saS
can justify the strangling of scientific
and educational training. and the kill
ing of the educational preparation Of
youth Weli-filied ranks In the uni
yays4ties mean well-ied ranks in the
rnlies. and. a ,jnster social order when
war gives place to peace. The Uni
versity OF Virginia and its sister col
feges have given freely Of their young
life for the trenches. the camps. the
navy. ard the air: but we must not
lose our heads and fail to remember
that civilization is in a deep crater.
that intellect and character must pull
II out. and that the college Is the
training ground for intellect and char
acter."
The University Of Virginia has al
ready made more substantial contri-
button In proportion to the size Of its
alumni and student body than has
the great majority OF universities of
tho country. Incomplete records
show that Virginia men are serving
the nation as follows: Medical Of
ficers' reserve corps. $50: reserve Of
ncers training camp. z4l base hos
regular army, So: navy. 20: aviation.
Is: coast patrol. ~: Industrial and
munition works, Is: marines. s: Eng
lish army. 3: miscellaneous, 81.
But while insisting that educational
institutions must continue their regu-
lar work toward the end that young
men within their walls may be made
Mt for republican citizenship during
tho storm Of war. President Alder
man also recognizes the fact that the
peculiar problems of the present con-
hict will make many readjustments
In the curriculum necessary. Courses
which have already been decided upon
are a. follows:
A Field astronomy.
Reconnaissance surveying.
B. Plane surveying.
TopOgra phical drawing.
Plane table surveys for geology
and maps
c. Telegraphy.
Telephony.
Wireless and signaling, includ-
ing searchlights. =
d. Political geography.
Physical geography.
Meteorology.
f. Photography.
r. Automobile engines.
Industrial motors (elective).
q. Forestry-timber: preservation
and uses.
4 course In military science has
been offered since April under the d.