Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-03-28

means unanimous in their support of
the institution as 1t is at present
conducted. believe, however. they
will support 1t once they become con-
WINGED that the University IL to be
\ carried on both in liberal spirit and
in practical and economical manner.
Established as an Agricultural school,
it unfortunately has allowed this
branch of its work to become the
least important Of its activities with
approximately 20 per cent. Of its
students taking agricultural courses.
In the years gone by. the farmers Of
the State always could be depended
upon to rally to the support of the
Maine State College, but gradually
our farmers have become convinced
that agriculture is of minor import
ance at Orono, and that the teaching
of farming is of small moment there.
Their interest in its welfare Is on the
wane, but if new life can be infused
into it's agricultural courses, believe
the farmers Of the State will be
greatly encouraged. Certain i'm
provements in the farm buildings
are needed. and although not called
for in the Budget. believe some ap-
preparation should be made for their
rebuilding.
The School of Technology stands
well among similar schools In the
country and I believe we have reason
to be satisfied with what it has done.
It may be urged that there is no need
Of the College of Arts and Sciences.
as we already have three such col
leges in this State. If the whole plan
of the University was to be, revised
il might be desirable to have It's
courses limited to those that deal
with Agricultural and Technical
sciences. However, this matter is
settled and it is not advisable to
make any change other than to pro-
portonately reduce the number of
students taking the Arts and Science
courses, so that the total of the
| three colleges may come within the
limit that has been suggested. Spe-
cial efforts need to be made to raise
the Agricultural courses up to the
position of prominence and import
ance to which they are entitled.
| No Expansion
AS to expansion, in my opinion, the
people of the State will not look with
favor upon the plans of some of the
! Universities ambitious friends, to
add to its already overburdened cur
riculum a school of medicine and a
Teachers college. The closing of the
Law school relieved the situation
| considerably and this is no time to
think of new buildings. new courses,
or new colleges. We should assimi-
late what we already have before
! taking on anything new.
! I hope the errors Of the past may
not be repeated, that dissensions may
be forgotten. realities faced and diff
| ficulties overcome. This all can be
accomplished if the right spirit pre-
walls.
We are representatives, of all the
people of the State of Maine. One of
our duties is to prepare the young
men and women ard the boys and
girls who are growing up in our
midst to meet the problems Of life.
We have a great opportunity to
take n step forward in settling this
University problem. and although it
is late in the session it is not too late
for action.
J Fourteen Points
! In conclusion, summarize the rec
concentrations contained i'll this
message. These are offered as one
complete program. and l do not rec
ommcnd the adoption of some of
]
! favor:
/. Approximately the Budget Com
mittee's appropriation for Mainten-
ance with an extra allowance for re-
constructing certain Farm Buildings.
2. Sufficient sums to repair the
buildings even though it be somewhat
larger than the Budget calls for.
3. Making the University a State
Institution.
4. Assuming the debt of s217 800. 90.
5. A new board of nine Trustees
with the State Commissioner of Ed
ucation as a member -ofticio. four
of the present Board to be reap
pointed. the remaining four to be APP
pointed by the Governor, with con-
sent of the Council.
| g. A halt upon all expansion.
{. The number of students, regular
and special, to be limited to 1000,
either by law or by raising the educa-
tional standards of the University.
s. Emphasizing the Importance of
Agricultural Courses.
9. Reduction in the cost Of educa =
ton. so as to open the University to
those not financially able to attend
other colleges.
TO- Making the University the
BEST and not necessarily the BIG
GEST educational institution in
Maine.
II. Elimination of politics from the
atmosphere of the University.
II. cultivation Of college spirit
among It's Alumni and Undergradu-
ates.
13. Placing the University on a
sound financial and educational basis.
with q thorough internal reorganiza-
ton
a. Making it a Maine Institution
for Maine boys and girls.
RcSpectfully submitted
PERCINAI L BANTER