Gunnison news-champion., 1924-01-04
{. of {. Resolutions
Resent Recent Attacks
Gunnison, Colo, Dec Il. 1923.
TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES or
WESTERN STATE COLLEGE:

WIS IEkN SIAIE COLLEA5E:
The members OF the Chanber of
Commerce Of Gannison, Colo. oeplor-
ing the Newspaper publicity and unde-
siFable controversy regarding the af-
faIrs Of Western State College, wish
10 call 70 the attention OF the public
and the Board OF Trustees of tn.
school cerlYin considerations which
appear important 20 Us as local busi-
ness men and citizens Of Gunnison in
a position to observe the growth and
improvement of the school and the
conditions under which these have
been attained.
/. We know, as do the members
Of the Board of Trustees, that the
buildings on the campus, with the ex-
ception of the old North Hall, were
constructed al time Of excessive
costs Of labor and materials. and that.
II the school were TO continue and
meet the demands made upon Il, the
construction Of such buildings was alb
solutely necessary. We are familiar
with the construction and floor plans
of the girls dornitory on the campus
and do not regard IT rs fire trap. II
must be recalled that the amount Of
money available when this dormitory
was built was not sufficient to con-
str1ci a building Of more substantial
construction large enough to meet the
then pressing demand for housing
facilities on the campus. Central Hall
constructed as We all know during the
period of high building costs. is ir
reality only the basement of what is
20 be the central structure of the
present group Of buildings. The con-
struction Of Central Hall was halted
because of lack of funds, but never
theless this basement is now in use
and contains half-dozen class rooms,
a large room that is now being used
as n gymnasium, and an auditorium
with seating capacity of about seven
hundred. Surely this basement struct-
ure cannot be regarded as a mere hall
way connecting the college North Hal!
and the High School building. We
are also aware of the fact that the
plans and specifications Of this Central
Hall were adopted and approved be-
fore President Quigley became presi-
dent of the institution. However, we
feel that even at excessive costs de-
manded by post war conditions, the
expenditure for this building was
justified in making possible the
growth of the school to meet the pres
ent need in Western College for high
er educational facilities.
2. We have observed with graft
tication that an enrolment of less
than one hundred students in the
year 1919 and program of junior col
iege standing has under the admins
tra;ion of President Quigley expanded
to an enrolment of over three hund-
red and full college curriculum recog-
nized as Glass A by the American As
sociation of Teachers College
3. We are aware that under the
present administration there has been
built up faculty of unusually high
grade, without which the steady in
crease in enrolment could not have
been obtained nor the higher eduea-
tional standard attained. Reason
ably satisfactory salaries were essen
tial in securing such faculty.
4. We have noted with apprecia-
ton President Quigicy's committai to
his chief task-the education of young
men and women. We have observed
his fine concern in physical and moral
welfare Of his students personally so
as to get from them the best possible
response of loyalty and self effort.
For these reasons, we, the members
Of the Gunnison Chamber of Com
merce, express our resentment of re-
cent attacks made through the public
press, and otherwise, upon the West
em State College, its administration
and its president, and we respectfully
ask that the members of the BOARD of
Trustees in the exercise Of their jur-
isdiction over the school carefully con-
slider all of the conditions existing At
the school, the part which the present
has had in bringing
about such conditions, and the position
Of splendid service to Western Colo:
rado which the institution has attain
ed in few years from u small begin