Oak Street UNCLASSIFIED ■vy, K m STATEMENT AS TO APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA 1913-1915 C.y - jjgfeg The University News-Letter Vol. XII Norman, Okla., Feb. 1, 1913. No. IX Entered as second class matter Nov. 16, 1908, at the postoffice at Norman, Oklahoma, under the act of July 16, 1894. STATEMENT AS TO APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA FOR THE BIENNIAL PERIOD 1913-1914 and 1914-1915 OF WE SE p 1 9 1934 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CONTENTS Introduction 3 Buildings 4 1. A Heating and Power Plant 4 2. A Science Hall 5 3. An Auditorium and Fine Arts Building 6 4. A President’s House 6 5. A Gymnasium 6 6. A Library 7 Estimated cost of buildings 7 Table I. Number, cost and condition of Existing Buildings 8 Equipment. General Statement 9 Teaching Force 9 Table II. Comparative Table of salaries in State Universities 10 Support and Maintenance 11 Table III. Expenditures and Estimates 12 Summary of Expenditures and Estimates 13 Discussion of Estimates for Support and Maintenance 14 I. Expenditures for Salaries of Teaching Force. 14 II. Administration and General Expenses 14 A. Insurance 14 B. Supplies and Permanent Equipment. 14 Departmental Estimates 15 III. Operation and Maintenance of Plant 15 IV. Additional Items 16 A. Repairs and Improvements 16 B. Library Books 16 C. New Departments 17 Recommendation as to Appropriations 17 Revenues from Land Sources 17 A. Section Thirteen Fund 17 Income 17 Distribution 18 B. New College Fund 18 Income from Permanent Fund 18 Interest on Deferred Payments on Lands Sold 19 Rentals from Unsold Lands 19 C. Section Thirty-six — Nine — Three 19 Summary of Revenues from Lands 20 General Summary 20 Effect on Taxation 29 Comparison with Tax Levies of Other States 21 Table IV. Amount per Capita of appropriation for universities in Various States 22 Number of Students in Attendance 22 Oklahoma Students in Other States 24 Method of Managing Revenues from Lands 24 A Millage Tax 25 Report of the United States Bureau of Education 25 To the Members of the Legislature, and The Citizens of Oklahoma. Your attention is respectfully called to the following statement setting forth the requirements of the University of Oklahoma. The Citizens of the State undoubtedly desire that the University be devel- oped until it is substantially equivalent to the universities of adjacent states; that it be economically and efficiently managed; and that the quality of instruction reach such standards as will prepare the sons and daughters of Oklahoma for effective service both for themselves and for the State. The purpose of this statement is to point out some of the things that should be done in order to accomplish these results. Respectfully submitted, STRATTON D. BROOKS President of the University STATEMENT The justification for establishing and maintaining a University is- that it perform a needed service for the State and for its citizens. That state universities do perform services of inestimable value is demonstrated by the records of these institutions in other states. There is no doubt that the citizens of Oklahoma desire their universi- ty to be placed as soon as possible upon an equal footing of efficiency and serviceability with the universities of adjacent states that are today the pride of those states. In order to perform a valuable service, the University must have A. Suitable buildings, B. Ample equipment, C. An efficient teaching force. The needs in each of these lines are discussed below: A. BUILDINGS With the exception of the Administration Building and the Law School, every one of the existing buildings is wholly inadequate for the uses to which it is* put. They are for the most part temporary ex- pedients, satisfactory for the University in its earlier days, but now largely unsuitable, and seriously over-crowded even with the present attendance. A state the size of Oklahoma should have normally about 1600 pupils attending its University, and there seems little doubt that if suitable accommodations are provided, that number will be in attendance within a very few years. If they are not provided, the students must continue to go as they are now going, to the number of more than fifteen hundred a year, to institutions outside of the State. The following buildings are needed: I. A Heating and Power Plant: At present the boilers are housed in a ramshackle brick building to which temporary wooden sheds are added from time to time when additional boilers are neces- sary. The whole plant is expensive in maintenance, unsightly in ap- pearance, and unsatisfactory in service. Furthermore, the present plant cannot furnish heat for the new Law building which will be ready for occupancy next fall. Unless a power and heating plant is immediately constructed, it will be impossible to maintain the work of the University, except by the expensive and unsatisfactory process of erecting additional sheds and installing temporary heating facilities. The College of Engineering has made a carefully considered plan for a central plant so located as to serve most economically not only the existing buildings, but all buildings to be erected in the future. The cost will be approximately $100,000.00, which is somewhat more than a strictly commercial plant would cost, because the University plant will be used also, as a laboratory for experimental work in com- bustion. It is essential that our engineering graduates have ample 5 Statement as to Appropriations opportunity to learn by practical work how to test various kinds of boilers and engines in order that they may attack intelligently the problem of reduced cost for power in the factories in which they may later be employed. 2. A Science Hall: Proper instruction in science is such an important part of all modern progress that without it a university cannot hope to be worth maintaining. Personal examination of all the best science buildings in the country has been made and detailed plans completed, from which a fairly accurate estimate of cost has been made. This estimated cost is $325,000.00 — a large sum undoubt- edly — but it must be remembered that this sum includes a large amount of special equipment absolutely essential in modern laboratories. It is so absolutely essential that the University have immediately a modern science building sufficiently commodious to provide for present needs and future growth, that a separate document entitled “Facts about the Science Buildings of the Universities of America” has been prepared setting forth the needs of the University and showing what is being done in other states. The following summary of the cost of buildings for science instruc- tion in other institutions as shown in that document emphasizes the comparative lack of such facilities in the University of Oklahoma: Institution Number of Science Buildings Cost of Buildings Harvard University Wisconsin University Michigan University Minnesota University Pennsylvania University Toronto University Columbia University Yale University Cornell University Illinois University Washington University Cincinnati University Chicago University Stanford University Washington University (St. Louis) Dartmouth College Indiana University Ohio University Case School of Applied Science Kansas University Missouri University 7 $1,230,000.00 6 851,000.00 4 610,000.00 5 four of which cost 810,000.00 5 one of which cost 500,000.00 3 552,000.00 2 890,591.00 5 four of which cost 1,170,000.00 3 one of which cost 294,000.00 3 860,000.00 2 423,000.00 4 600,000.00 2 725,000.00 5 2 230,000.00 3 207,000.00 4 279,000.00 3 245,000.00 2 137,000.00 3 173,000.00 2 190,000.00 6 The University News-Letter Institution Number of Science Buildings Cost of Buildings Colorado University 3 280,000.00 OKLAHOMA UNIVERSITY 1 35,000.00 3. An Auditorium and Fine Arts Building: The largest assem- bly room of the University will hold approximately half of the stu- dents now in attendance. Consequently, those important functions of a university having much to do with the inspiration and moral up- lift of the student body are seriously hampered. The University also loses the valuable results that would come from general assemblies of students to hear addresses of prominent men and women; nor can it invite any but the smaller educational conventions to meet at the University. The loss to the State though intangible, is nevertheless not negligible. Furthermore, the University is dependent upon the weather for the conduct of commencement exercises and other assem- blies of such general interest to the citizens that they come in large numbers. The School of Fine Arts is now occupying rooms in the Adminis- tration Building that are very much needed for classes in the College of Arts and Sciences. Moving the School of Fine Arts to the Audi- torium Building would not only provide that school with more suitable accommodations but would allow of the proper accommodation of the increasing number of pupils in the College of Arts and Sciences. Ad- ditional room for the College of Arts and Sciences can also be provid- ed in the present Science Hall as soon as the new one is completed. Both of these expansions will be necessary within two years. The detailed plans have not been sufficiently completed to enable an accurate estimate of cost to be made, but it is clear that a suitable building of sufficient size to provide for both present and future needs will cost between $60,000.00 and $100,000.00. 4. A President’s House. The President of the University is in duty bound to contribute in large measure to that part of the students’ university education arising from extra-class activities. To perform these duties properly requires a house adapted to such a purpose. The difficulty of renting or selling such a house precludes the possibility of its private construction. In recognition of these conditions, many uni- versities and colleges provide a house for the president. Similar provision should be made here. 5. A Gymnasium. The Gymnasium is a temporary wooden structure. It is at present used to its utmost capacity, and with the prospective increase in students of the next two years, it will un- questionably be entirely inadequate. The same exercise room is used for both men and women, the men having it three days in the week and the women two days. This makes it very difficult to find hours 7 Statement as to Appropriations for extra classes and for special work. Under the present situation, students whose physical condition demands special care are often not able to secure it. The health of the students is of great importance, and provision for its protection must be made at an early date. 6. A Library. The Carnegie Library has served its purpose very satisfactorily during the years since its construction. The University, however, should ultimately have a substantial fire-proof library with several times the capacity of the present building. The books now in the library are worth more than the building itself, and in case of a fire it is not likely that many of them could be saved. It has taken years of time and labor and a considerable amount of money to build up this library, and the books ought to be better protected. ESTIMATED COST OF BUILDINGS Estimates of cost have been made only for those buildings the re- fusal of which will seriously hamper the work of the University. The approximate cost will be as follows: Heating and Power Plant $100,000.00 Science Building 325,000.00 Auditorium and Fine Arts Building 75,000.00 Total $500,000.00 It is urgently recommended that an appropriation of $500,000.00 for buildings be made but that the amount to be devoted to each building be not specifically named in order to allow any saving made in the construction of one to be devoted to the improvement of the others, and with the hope that $15,000.00, or as much thereof as may be necessary, may be saved for the purpose of erecting a president’s house. In considering the above needs, it should be borne in mind that even though ordered by this Legislature the buildings cannot be com- pleted for occupancy much under two years and possibly not within a longer period. In the meantime, the attendance at the University will have increased and the present over-crowded conditions will be emphasized. It should be remembered also that whether these buildings are constructed now or at a later date, the money will undoubtedly be secured by means of bonds and the difference between constructing them now or later is primarily only one of interest for the intervening, years. The advantage of immediate construction is that the students of the University during these intervening years will receive the best instruction available and that the University will sooner become the serviceable institution that the citizens hope it will become. The number, condition and cost of the existing buildings is shown in Table 1. TABLE I. NUMBER, COST, AND CONDITION OF EXISTING BUILDINGS 8 The University News-Letter Departments Using Arts & Sciences, Fine Arts School, Adminis- tration Offices Science Laboratories, Public Health Dept. Library, Law School College of Engineering Gymnasium Geological Survey Print Shop Anatomy Power House Carpenter Shop Tool Room Storage Room Law Building — Under construction, contract price for building and fixtures $125,000. BUILDINGS RENTED FOR THE USE OF THE UNIVERSITY Opera House, Norman, Oklahoma. Rented by the year for $1000. Fire & T. Insurance $148 000 28 000 26 400 16 000 5 600 O o CD 1 600j § OO 500 Present Value $200 000 30 000 30 000 O © O CM 7 000 2 000 2 000 1 000 000 T 500 40 O First Cost $200 000 35 000 arnegie Don. SO 000 14 000 Construction 3 story and basement, brick and con- crete, composition roof 2 story and basement, brick and stone metal roof 2 story and basement, brick and stone metal roof 2 story, brick, concrete floor, com- position roof 1 story, frame, shingle roof 1 story, frame, metal roof 1 story, frame, metal roof 1 story, frame, shingle roof 1 story, brick, composition roof 1 story, frame, shingle roof 1 story, frame, shingle roof 1 story, frame, shingle roof Size in feet 197x71 1-2 CM X CO CO 80x100 160 1-2x38 100x100 48x86 48x86 24x92 40x40 24x50 20x30 O X © (M Erected 1911 1904 1904 1910 1904 1904 1904 1904 1903 1909 1909 1902 Name Administration Building Science Hall Library Engineering Building Gymnasium Building E Print Shop Medical Building Power House Carpenter Shop Tool Room Lumber and Storage R JD "OC O .2 £ 2 O .2 2 CO « i e - P crt .. O ■w _ 'i * 3 c TM c .S < 9 Statement as to Appropriations B. EQUIPMENT The situation with reference to equipment is especially serious. To pay a man two dollars per day to dig ditches and refuse to expend seventy-five cents for a spade for him to use is no more wasteful than to pay a man $1800.00 per year to teach physics and refuse to supply him with the equipment necessary to make his instruction effective. Carefully detailed estimates of the permanent equipment and cur- rent supplies highly essential for the conduct of each department have been made. The amount requested for the purchase of supplies and equipment for the next biennial period is discussed on page 15. C. TEACHING FORCE Even with the best of buildings amply equipped, the University can perform valuable service only when it has a body of thoroughly qualified teachers surrounded by conditions most favorable for the best work. The essential conditions are that the appointment and reten- tion of teachers be based solely upon their professional preparation and technical equipment for their special work, and be wholly free from personal or partisan considerations. The action of the State Board of Education in granting teachers permanent tenure of office, and the avowed policy of allowing the president of the University to make appointments solely with refer- ence to proficiency, has already done much to improve the situation, and if public sentiment is sufficiently strong to guarantee the continu- ance of these policies, the University will be able to do much better work than it has done in recent years. Salaries must be sufficient to remove from teachers the necessity of giving attention to other work in order to make a livelihood, and must be fairly equivalent to the salaries paid for similar work in similar institutions. The salaries paid teachers in the University are much lower than the salaries paid county officials in the State, and are at present considerably below the salaries paid in the universities of adjacent states as is shown in Table II. 10 The University News-Letter TABLE II MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM SALARIES AT VARIOUS STATE UNIVERSITIES (Taken from 1910 report of the U. S. Bureau of Education) State Professors Associate Assistant Instructors Professors Professors Maximum Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum Minim Arizona $2200 $1800 $1680 $ $1600 $1500 $1300 $1000 Arkansas 2500 2000 1800 1500 1400 1200 1200 900 California 5000 2000 3000 2000 2400 1200 1600 200 Colorado 2500 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 Idaho _ - - 2000 1800 1700 1600 1500 1400 1200 Illinois . . . . _ . 4000 2500 3000 2100 2500 1800 2200 600 Indiana 2600 1800 1600 1500 1300 1000 1300 650 Iowa _ . 4400 1700 2600 1500 1800 1100 1400 800 Kansas _ 2250 1700 1300 900 Michigan ______ 3500 2500 2200 2000 1800 1600 1400 900 Minnesota 3700 2000 3000 1000 2250 1400 1700 600 Missouri 3000 1400 2000 1400 1800 600 Montana _ 2250 1800 1800 1200 1200 1000 Nebraska 3000 1500 1600 1200 1500 1000 1200 600 Nevada 2400 1800 1800 1500 1500 1200 1200 600 New Mexico _ _ 1500 1200 1000 _ North Dakota 3500 2500 2500 2200 2000 1400 1500 1000 Ohio University 2500 2000 1700 1200 1200 1000 1000 850 Ohio State Univ. _ _ _ 4000 2000 2000 1200 1600 900 1300 600 OKLAHOMA 2000 1500 1700 1500 1600 1200 1200 900 Oregon __ 2500 1600 1600 1200 1200 600 South Dakota 1860 1420 1200 1200 600 Texas 3000 2500 2750 2000 2000 1600 1800 900 Utah 2500 1800 2100 1750 1700 1300 1250 ___■_ Washington 2700 2000 2000 2000 1900 1500 1500 800 Wisconsin _ 4000 2000 2500 2000 2200 1400 2000 800 Wyoming __ 2000 1800 1500 1500 1400 800 The financial condition of the State, however, scarcely warrants at the present time any substantial increase in salaries. An examination of the detailed estimates for salaries in Table III, page 12, will show that the increase in the salary schedule is very slight and is account- ed for by the necessity of adjusting salaries in such a way that men of equal rank and equal terms of service shall have approximately equal salaries, and by the necessity of adding new teachers to take care of the increasing number of students. Statement as to Appropriations 1 1 SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE In addition to the $500,000.00 for buildings, recommended above, the University needs for support and maintenance the following amounts: For the year 1913-1914 $354,667.40 For the year 1914-1915 283,105.30 Total $637,772.70 The details on which these amounts are based are shown in columns IV and V of Table III. 12 The University News-Letter 10 CD l>cnTH(M05TjiO rjO-H^N-cOCMN-OOStOi-H 05-^^Hi-H©-^f^CMCMCMCM 1-1 ^ — tO © rttno5 2 CM 05 ' O CO 2 cm 05 05 N- i-H €«• « CO O ^ w (M I ^H 05 OO CM C— i-H Tf i ^ HC0005CDH ,00 NOOfflCOr^CO IH (D o J- o u. bJO E IE O G CD h % «H K* cC ^ ^•3 22* 1 8 1 SI'S Ucoco <.S 1 ° .s . i **-i o o O — ( — . 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C o O UJ _ ’T o o o o o o o o o o o o tmnco S 05 s s £■00® co C 1 - 1 © £ > 2 2 a •§.§ a — . ® §13 C0 C © b CO © 2 w c G © X> .5 C © COCO CO C o O c .S © o o o o o o ® o in o o o- inmo CO o o o o o o ® ® in oow o o ■<-( Oinn CM o o o o o o o o o o o o o m o m cm co o o o o o o o o o o o o o in o in cm co & & >1 a. ! ■£ £> .sis CIS & 2 § s x C 5 wig .* c O o.5 c 5 c0^ O&hS S 3 . 2 ? 7 -3 .S a a T kj cj q, > ©is £ c 2 'S . 05 C 0 O HCOO 05 cn CM CO CO CM h 05 05 1,1 CDC0 05 , CO CM CM _l o in cm CO 05 in CM CM CO co CO co coco cq N in i> OO Ttf t-h se- © 2 fl g « aq_. © 2 | © © c u; d co r ° © c W © •o 0 t 3 C •S ® © 2 'S i if O ^ c 2 « o fl 05 *d •— o bSsia C /3 14 The University News-Letter DISCUSSION OF ESTIMATES An examination of Table III shows the following: I. Expenditures for Salaries of Teaching Force 1910- 1911 1911- 1912 1912- 1913 1913- 1914 1914- 1915 Total $ 87,612.66 99,036.92 108,169.19 122.710.00 131.710.00 Increase Percentage of Increase $ 11,424.26 13.1 9,132.27 9.2 14,540.81 13.4 9,000.00 7.3 The percentage of increase in salaries of the teaching force is a normal one made necessary for the reasons set forth on page 9. II. Under Administration and General Expenses, two items show substantial increases. a. Insurance (Item D). This increase is due to the fact that the insurance policies are written for two years, most of them expiring in 1913-1914, and by the fact that the new Law School Building will be completed in that year. There is reasonable doubt as to the wisdom of carrying insurance on modern fire-proof buildings such as the Ad- ministration Building and the Law School Building, especially when the heating plant is not in the building. If these buildings were not insured, the amount required for insurance could be considerably re- duced. b. Supplies and Permanent Equipment (Item F). This item shows a radical increase. The importance of proper equipment has been stated on page 9 and cannot be over-emphasized. To teach bacteriology without microscopes, or botany without adequate facilities for the growth and preparation of illustrative material, is the height of wastefulness. A radical increase in the appropriation for supplies and equipment is the only true economy, tor by this expenditure the value and effectiveness of the University can be increased many fold. The amount requested is based on careful detailed estimates made by the heads of the respective departments as shown below: 15 Statement as to Appropriations Departmental Estimates — 1913-14, 1914-15 F. Supplies and Permanent Equipment: (1) Department: 1913-1914 1914-1915 Anatomy _ _ _ _ _ _ __$ 600.00 $ 600.00 Bacteriology _ __ 1125.55 754.25 Botany _ __ 3166.90 1625.00 Chemistry _ _ __ 3500.00 3900.00 Civil Engineering . _ _ _ __ 1320.00 700.00 Drawing _ _ _ __ 200.00 200.00 Electrical Engineering __ 18350.00 4350.00 English __ 180.00 Fine Arts _ __ 6600.00 6600.00 German _ _ _ __ 100.00 50.00 Geology ___ _ _ __ 3292.00 3292.00 Greek___ __ ^ . __ 125.00 125.00 History __ 87.50 87.50 Latin _ _ _ . 60.75 60.75 Library _ __ __ 5787.00 Mathematics. . _ _ 50.00 50.00 Mechanical Engineering ._ 4400.00 4400.00 Medicine __ 24074.00 11735.00 Pathology _____ _ _ __ 1211.30 606.30 Pharmacy __ 882.50 300.00 Physical Training __ 1401.10 1484.50 Physics __ 7400.00 5600.00 Physiology __ 1300.00 300.00 Political Science __ 100.00 100.00 Printing __ 1700.00 1700.00 Psychology _ _ _ __ 300.00 710.00 Public Health Laboratories __ 1600.00 1900.00 Romance Languages ._ 300.00 300.00 School of Teaching _ _ __ 200.00 150.00 Shops __ 1100.00 1100.00 Sociology and Economics _ _ __ 350.00 350.00 Zoology ___ __ 1625.00 92488.60 1150.00 $54280.30 <2) Furniture and Fixtures _ 3000.00 3000.00 3000.00 3000.00 Total $95,488.60 $57,280.30 III. Under Operation and Maintenance of Plant the total is less than the expenditures for 1911-1912 and but slightly in excess of the expenditures of 1912-1913. The increase is caused mainly by the 16 The University News-Letter necessity of providing heat and janitor service for the new Law School Building. IV. Under Additional Items are included several special needs of the University, of which the explanation is as follows: A. Repairs and Improvements. The appropriation for the Administration Building was insufficient to complete that building. A proper lighting system is absolutely essential. A clock and telephone system will save much time and greatly improve the efficiency of the University. The lighting facilities of the Library should be improved in order to protect the eyesight of the students, and the building is in serious- need of repairs. Sidewalks are urgently needed to replace the mud puddles through which the students must wade after each rain, and many trees lost during the preceding dry years should be replaced. For more than a year the present Science Hall has been made safe for occupancy only by temporary expedients. Its further use is possible only if it is made absolutely safe for occupancy. The City Council of Norman has voted to pave two streets leading to the University, and the street along the front of the campus. One- half the cost of the latter street will fall upon the University. The pavement should also be continued to the University buildings. Additional water mains for fire protection have been demanded by the insurance companies, and their installation should not be longer delayed. If they are not installed the increase in insurance rates will ultimately cost more than the installation of the water mains. B. Library Books. With the appropriation of $125,000.00 made by the last Legislature, a Law School Building is being erected that is one of the best in the United States. The contract includes all needed equipment excepting a library. The necessity of a library is so self-evident as to need no argument. An appropriation of $15,000.00 for the purpose, omitted from the appropriation by the last Legislature, should be granted at this time. The Medical School has practically no library. The efficiency of the school demands that a suitable library be provided. The books in the general library have been well selected, but the number and variety of them must be increased. A class of 150 in history, for example, cannot be referred to the same book, unless sever- al copies are in the Library. The loss of time caused by students waiting for books is very great arid is one of the most serious draw- backs of the Universtiy. The amounts asked for in each of the two Statement as to Appropriations 17 years are based upon the estimates of heads of departments as to the books essential to the proper teaching of their respective subjects. C. New Departments. Any one familiar with the enormous service done in extension work by such universities as Wisconsin will need no argument as to the desirability of inaugurating similar work in the University of Oklahoma. There are but few state universities that are not expend- ing much more than the $15,000.00 per year that is requested for this purpose. This amount, however, seems to be all that can be wisely expended until the initial organization has been perfected. The University now conducts most of the courses necessary for journalism and for commerce and industry. The moderate sums ask- ed for will enable the University to add technical courses in these subjects that will prepare a large number of its students for more sat- isfactory service in their chosen life work. RECOMMENDATION AS TO APPROPRIATIONS FOR SUP- PORT AND MAINTENANCE Table III shows that the University needs) 1913-14 for support and maintenance j $354,667.40 The University asks for apppropriations as follows: $300,000.00 Deficit $54,667.40 These deficits will be met by revenues from lands and as indicated below. REVENUES FROM LANDS The University receives revenues from lands from three sources; (a) Section Thirteen Fund; (b) New College Fund; and (c) Section 36-9-3. The estimated revenue from each of these three sources dur- ing the next biennial period is as follows: A. Section Thirteen Fund The approximate revenue from the Section Thirteen Fund and its distribution among the various institutions entitled to share therein is shown below: INCOME Cash on hand January 1, 1913, from rentals $ 89,872.69 Estimated rentals January 1, 1913, to January 1, 1914 100,000.00 Estimated rentals January 1, 1914, to January 1, 1915 100.000.00 Total .$289,872.69 1914-15 $283,105.30 $250,000 00 $33,105.30 trust funds 18 The University News-Letter Distribution In accordance with Section I, Article II, Chapter 34, Session Laws 1907-1908: A. One-third to the University 1913-1914 1914-1915 Total and the University Preparatory School [Tonkawa] 1. The University [5-8 of 1-3] $30,195.07 $30,195.07 $60,390.14 2. The University Preparatory School at Tonkawa [3-8 of 1-3] B. One-third to the Agricultural and Mechanical College, and to the Colored Agricultural and Normal University 1. The Agricultural and Me- 18,117.05 18,117.04 36,234.09 chanical College [9-10 of 1,3] 2. The Colored Agricultural and 43,480.90 43,480.91 86,961.81 Normal University [1-10 of 1-3] 4,831.21 C. One-third to the Normal Schools 1. The Central Normal School 4,831.21 9,662.42 [1-6 of 1-3] 2. The Northwestern Normal 8,052.02 8,052.02 16,104.04 School [1-6 of 1-3] 3. The East Central Normal 8,052.02 8,052.02 16,104.04 School [1-6 of 1-3] 4. The Southwestern Normal 8,052.02 8,052.02 16,104.04 School [1-6 of 1-3] 5. The Southeastern Normal 8,052.02 8,052.02 16,104,04 School [1-6 of 1-3] 6. The Northeastern Normal 8,052.02 8,052.02 16,104.04 School [1-6 of 1-3] Total 8,052.02 8,052.02 16,104.04 $289,872.69 B. New College Fund In accordance with Section 1, Article V, Chapter 28, Session Laws of 1909, 250,000 acres of New College land were granted to the Univer- sity. The income from these lands is as follows: I. Permanent Fund. The cash on hand January 1, 1913, from sale of land belonging to the University was $15,060.17. The income from the perma- nent fund is as follows: Interest on hand January 1, 1913 599.52 Estimated interest from January 1, 1913 to January 1, 1914, at 5 per cent 753.00 19 Statement as to Appropriations Estimated interest from January 1, 1914, to January 1, 1915, at 5 per cent 753.00 Sub Total $2,105.52 II. Interest on deferred payments on land sold. Interest accrued to January 1, 1913 $7,396.13 Estimated interest from January 1, 1913, to January 1, 1914 7,411.51 Estimated interest from January 1, 1914, to January 1, 1915 7,211.60 Sub Total $22,019.24 III. Rentals of unsold lands. Cash on hand January 1, 1913 [$10,200.75 less proportion- ate cost of administration $389.33] 9,811.42 Estimated rentals January 1, 1913, to January 1, 1914 _ 5,432.38 Estimated rentals January 1, 1914, to January 1, 1915 __ 5,432.38 Sub Total $20,676.18 The revenues of the University from the New College Fund will therefore be approximately as follows: 1913-1914 1914-1915 Total I. Interest on permanent fund $ 1,352.52 $ 753.00 $ 2,105.52 II. Interest on deferred payments 14,807.64 7,211.60 22,019.24 III. Rentals on unsold lands 15,243.80 5,432.38 20,676.18 Total $31,403.96 $13,396.98 $44,800.94 This total will be reduced by the cost of management. A separate appropriation is made for the cost of administering the Section Thir- teen Fund and similar provision should be made for the administration of the New College Fund, especially since both funds are managed by the Commissioners of the Land Office. Since the revenues from the New College Fund for other State schools depend upon the sale and rental of the particular lands as- signed to them, no statement of these revenues is made here. C. Section Thirty-six — Nine — Three By Act of Congress, approved February 25, 1907, 34 United States Statutes, at Large, part one, page 932 and accepted by Section 3, Article XV, Chapter 5, Session Laws of 1907-1908, section thirty-six, township nine north, range three west of the Indian Meridian, Cleveland County, was granted to the University. The revenues from this section available during the next two years will be as follows: Rent from January 1, 1910 to January 1, 1911 $1,233.33 Rent from January 1, 1911 to January 1, 1912 1,225.00 Rent from January 1, 1912 to January 1, 1913 1,205.00 Rent from January 1, 1913 to January 1, 1914 1,200.00 Rent from January 1, 1914 to January 1, 1915 1,200.00 Total _$(j,U63.33 This amount will be slightly increased by interest on deferred 20 The University News-Letter payments. The approximate amount available for each year of the biennial period will be as follows: For the year 1913-1914 For the year 1914-1915 .$3,663.33 2,400.00 SUMMARY OF REVENUES FROM LAND Section Thirteen Fund__. _ . New College Fund Section 36 — 9 — 3 . . ... _ . 1913-1914 $ 30,195.07 31,403.96 3,663.33 1914-1915 $ 30,195.07 13,396.98 2,400.00 Total $ 65,262.36 $ 45,992.05 GENERAL SUMMARY Appropriations requested Land Revenues __ ... 1913-1914 $300,000.00 65,262.36 1914-1915 $250,000.00 45,992.05 Total $365,262.36 $295,992.05 Needs of the University 354,667.40 283,105.30 Excess $ 10,594.96 $12,886.18 It appears from this summary that the apparent revenues will ex- ceed the stated needs of the University by $10,554.96 in 1913-1914, and by $12,886.18 in 1914-1915. Since the amounts stated above as revenues from lands are maxi- mums and may be reduced by deferred payments and other items, and since on the other hand the estimates of expenditures are mini- mums that in some cases will probably be necessarily increased, the actual differences will be much less than the amounts named, and offer a reasonable margin of variation. Should any actual saving oc- cur, it may well be devoted to additional library and laboratory equip- ment or to the extension work of the University. EFFECT ON TAXATION The University is mindful of the urgent necessity of reducing tax- ation, but nevertheless feels justified in asking for an increased appro- priation. The effect of this increase should be made clear. On the tax bill of a citizen of Norman, the following appears: Valuation State Tax County Tax School Tax Total $1000.00 $2.26 $18.44 $8.04 $28.74 The appropriation for the University is less than one-twentieth of the total State tax. The amount of tax paid by this citizen for the support of the University was, therefore, 11 3-10 cents. On the basis of the appropriations asked for during the next biennium, the tax per Statement as to Appropriations 21 $1000 of assessed valuation for the University would be 22 6-10 cents in 1913-1914 and 18 8-10 cents in 1914-1915. An examination of the above tax bill will show that the oppor- tunity to reduce appreciably the rate of taxation does not lie in the field of the State tax, and in so far as it does lie in this field no citizen mindful of the future welfare of the youth of the State would desire to reduce the efficiency of the University. True economy here does not lie in reducing the amount expended but rather in providing for its expenditure in such a way as to insure the best results. COMPARISON WITH TAX LEVIES OF OTHER STATES An examination of the appropriations made by other states shows that the University of Oklahoma receives less per capita of population than is granted in most states in which conditions are fairly compar- able. 22 The University News-Letter TABLE IV Showing amount per capita of population of state appropriations for state universities. I. States Having over a Million Population State Amount per State University Population Appropriation [1910] [1911] Capita Minnesota _ . . 2,075,708 $ 929,662 $0,448 Wisconsin __ . 2,333, 860 1,013,765 0.434 Nebraska 1,191,214 395,960 0.339 California _ _ 2,377,549 790,017 0.332 Washington . 1,141,990 313,811 0.274 Michigan 2,810,173 659,287 0.234 Kansas _ _ _ 1,690,949 368,978 0.218 Iowa 2,224,771 328,698 0.147 Missouri 3,293,335 473,629 0.140 Illinois _ _ 5,638,591 663,000 0.117 Ohio 4,767,121 496,521 0.104 OKLAHOMA 1,657,155 150,000 0.090 Arkansas . 1,574,449 134,900 0.085 II. Smaller States In comparison with state universities in smaller states the showing for Oklahoma is even more unfavorable. Nevada _ . 81,875 $121,565 $1,484 Utah 373,351 160,446 0.429 Colorado _ . 477,024 190,000 0.237 Wyoming .. _ _ _ _ _ . 145,965 33,885 0.232 Arizona 204,354 42,050 0.205 North Dakota 577,056 116,243 0.201 Montana 376,053 70,000 0.186 Oregon . 672,765 125,000 0.185 Idaho 325,594 52,000 0.159 South Dakota _ _ _ 583,888 80,500 0.137 New Mexico _ _ _ 3^7,301 32,000 0.097 OKLAHOMA 1,657,155 150,000 0.090 NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN ATTENDANCE It is of course impossible to tell at what rate the attendance at the University will increase. In most states the attendance at the State University is about one student for each thousand of population. On this basis the total enrollment at the University should be about 1600. Since the total enrollment for 1912-1913 will be approximately 900, which is considerably below the normal expectation, it seems 23 Statement as to Appropriations probable that during the next biennium a rapidly increasing number of students must be provided for. The enrollment by schools and colleges from 1900 to 1912 is shown in Table V. TABLE V Enrollment by Schools and Colleges From 1900 to 1912 YEAR G AD. A. & S. FINE ARTS LAW MED. PHAR. ENGR. PREP. TOTAL || SUM. TOTALA PREP. COLLEGE TOTAL 1900-01 56 81+* 8- 41 238 393 1901-02 79 38 * 8 22 254 359 1902-03 115 76 * 8 19 288 465 1903-04 128 77 * 5 25 4 250 467 1904-05 125 113 * 7 43 15 214 475 1905-06 152 133 * 16 43 34 261 600 1906-07 158 156 * 13 45 43 229 623 1907-08 3 194 203 * 15 51 55 251 708 1908 09 6 216 103 78 181 16 42 51 214 646 124 696 1909-10 11 293 63 88 151 45 21 54 50 132 692 1910-11 23 393 67 131 198 92 63 56 46 821 163 870 1911-12 20 326 50 118 168 115 53 58 43 — 738 143 793 +Music. -Pre-Medical. aTMs total includes summer session, duplicates not counted. 1 This total does not include summer session students. *Number of preparatory and college students not known. At the University there is no general assembly of the students at which a record of attendance can be made. We have, however, found the number actually enrolled on the first of each month, for the first semester of 1911-1912 and for the first semester of the year 1912-1913. From each of these figures we have deducted the number of students who withdrew during the previous month, and the results have been averaged to get the average regular attendance for the semester. First Semester, 1912-1913 Date Registered Withdrawals Actually To Date To Date Enrolled Previous to October 1 but withdrawing before October 1. 4 October 1 650 4 646 November 1 685 20 665 December 1 ___694 33 661 January 1 701 40 661 Average number students in attendance for semester 659 24 The University News-Letter First Semester, 1911-1912 Date Registered Withdrawals Actually Enrolled Previous to October 1, but withdrawing before October 1 5 October 1 590 5 585 November 1 637 14 623 December 1 652 30 622 January 1 664 36 628 Average number students in attendance for semester 615 1911-1912 1912-1913 Average attendance first semester 615 ' 659 Enrolled to January 1 664 701 OKLAHOMA STUDENTS IN OTHER STATES An examination of the catalogs of such educational institutions as were available shows that over a thousand students residing in Okla- homa are attending schools outside of the State. If complete lists were made, there is no doubt that the total would exceed 1,500 and might possibly reach 2,000. While it is desirable that a portion of our young men and women seek education elsewhere there is no justifica- tion in allowing the present condition to continue indefinitely. It will be of inestimable value to the State to have its sons and daughters educated at home, remain in touch with local conditions and be pre- pared to take their places in the work of developing our State. The State also suffers a substantial financial loss. The average annual expenses of the students attending college outside of Oklahoma is probably about $500.00 each. There is thus taken from our State annually about three quarters of a million of dollars, most of which should be expended here and will be so expended as soon as the University has proper buildings and equipment. METHOD OF MANAGING REVENUES FROM LANDS Attention is called to the situation with reference to revenues from land and permanent funds. In 1909 and 1910 these revenues were apportioned to the University and to other state schools in ac- cordance with the apportionment established by law. In 1911, the Legislature made specific appropriations of the revenues. At present the University has funds “apportioned” to it and other funds from the same source “appropriated” for it. In order to estab- lish a definite method of procedure for the University and other State educational institutions a bill [Senate Bill No — ] has been prepared with the assistance of the attorney of the Commissioner of the Land Office. The bill is based on the belief that since these funds were 25 Statement as to Appropriations granted by Act of Congress of the United States and are not derived from public taxation, they are not subject to the provision of the State constitution with reference to specific appropriation pnd do not revert to the State in case they are unexpended within a given period. By the terms of the grant, these funds are set aside for the purposes named and the duty of the Legislature ends with apportioning them among the various institutions entitled thereto and to prescrib- ing the method of expenditure. A decision of the court to this effect has been rendered in a similar case arising in another state. The passage of this bill will give to each of the schools entitled thereto its share of the revenues derived from lands and trust funds and will render unnecessary special appropriation bills accomplishing the same purpose in a less desirable way. It will also to some extent reduce the tendency of the State educational institutions to become entangled in the politics usually surrounding the securing of appropriations. A MILLAGE TAX A further step in the direction of removing the state educational institutions from political influence should be taken by placing all such institutions, the permanency of which is unquestioned, upon a millage basis. A constitutional amendment allowing the Legislature to take such action should be made. Many educational institutions in other states have been placed upon the millage basis and it is the un- animous testimony of all that great advantages have arisen therefrom because of the removal of the institution from political pressure and because of the possibility of better planning the progress of the insti- tution when the approximate resources for a series of years are known in advance. REPORT OF THE UNITED STATES BUREAU OF EDU- CATION There is printed herewith the report of Dr. Kendric C. Babcock, Inspector of Higher Educational Institutions for the United States Bureau of Education. It is a pleasure to have the opinion of an expert that in many re- spects the University is satisfactory. The University recognizes the justice of his criticism of the University in other respects, and prints the report in order that the citizens of Oklahoma may know to what extent their University is defective and may thus cooperate intelli- gently with the authorities of the University in building up as speed- ily as possible an institution of which we may all be proud. 26 The University News-Letter REPORT OF DR. K. C. BABCOCK, INSPECTOR OF HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS FOR THE UNITED STATES BUREAU OF EDUCATION REPORT ON THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA December 26, 1912. I. Inspection Inspection was made October 15th to 18th, 1912, immediately fol- lowing the formal inauguration of President Brooks, who had, how- ever, been in service since last spring. The University was seen un- der practically normal conditions, since the single day of inaugural festivities did not greatly disturb the usual routine of instruction. Several conferences were held with President Brooks; Dean Mon- net of the Law School, who was acting president in 1911-12; and Dean Buchanan. Nearly all of the heads of departments and many of the professors and instructors were interviewed and many of them seen at work in their class-rooms and laboratories. With these men were discussed the organization and scope of their work, the needs of their departments and of the University, and the quality of the student material furnished by the secondary schools of the State under present conditions. No attempt to inspect the work of the Medical Depart- ment was made. II. Plant The University is located in the suburbs of the little city of Nor- man, about eighteen miles from Oklahoma City. The campus is a spacious, well-selected tract, upon which a large number of trees has been planted. The buildings as a whole, with the exception of the administration building, a very fine brick and stone structure now used for instruction also, are mediocre and inadequate even for the current needs of the institution. A handsome new law school is now under construction, and this will give some relief; but not more than four or five rooms in the library building, in the basement of which the Law School and its library have been crowded, will be released for general purposes, and these will soon be needed for the library it- self. A new science building is needed, in order to place the work in the several departments in more satisfactory condition. Geology and botany fare better than the others in the matter of accommodations, though they share one modest building with chemistry, pharmacy, pathology, histology, bacteriology and the laboratories of the State Pure Food and Health Commissions. The engineering building, a plain brick and concrete structure, while fairly adequate for immediate needs, is hardly more than a Statement as to Appropriations 27 makeshift and will soon be outgrown, if much development in engi- neering is undertaken. The gymnasium is anything but a credit to the University. Its lighting is bad, its ventilation is worse, and the arrangement and condition of dressing-rooms and baths are unsanitary to an alarming degree. The general upkeep of the plant, considering the stage of its de- velopment, is good. It shows signs of recent improvement. III. Organization The University has no peculiarity of organization. It consists of a Graduate School, which is scarcely more than a beginning, limiting itself to the work for the master’s degree; a College of Arts and Sciences (including a School of Teaching); College of Engineering; Schools of Fine Arts, Law, Medicine, and Pharmacy. Since 1909 the State has maintained a separate School of Mines and Metallurgy, but the College of Engineering of the University includes a School of Mining Geology. Courses in various kinds of engineering are also given, under the authority of the State, at the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College, where a new building for engineering has just been completed. Oklahoma thus illustrates the questionable policy of distributing its engineering work among three higher educa- tional institutions. The State is now and will continue indefinitely to be predominantly agricultural, and the demand for standard high- grade engineering training could well be met by a single agency, in which should be developed a body of teachers and students suf- ficiently large to give both impetus and enthusiasm to engineering in- struction of standard quality. Needed opportunities for purely voca- tional and secondary training might well be distributed, just as voca- tional instruction in agriculture is now developed in Oklahoma and neighboring states. The equipment and spirit of the work in mechan- ic arts in the Oklahoma City high school is an excellent illustration of what other communities may be expected to undertake. Another feature of the present situation in Oklahoma is the fact that the State stands sponsor for granting different grades of the same degree by different institutions. The degree of Bachelor of Science is granted upon one basis at the University and upon another basis at the Agricultural and Mechanical College. An engineering student in the latter case bases his four-year course upon two years of high school work or upon examinations representing not more than five units of the ordinary admission subjects; an engineering student in the University bases his four-year course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science, in one of the engineering divisions, upon a standard four-years high school course. The University is bound to suffer in 28 The University News-Letter enrollment and in its attempt to build up standard engineering courses in a good scientific or university atmosphere, so long as this differ- ence in institutional requirements continues to exist. The State can- not afford indefinitely to grant degrees of the same name with vary- ing significance, any more than it could afford to mint dollars of vary- ing weight. The School of Fine Arts is the section of the University organiz- ation which is most open to objection on the ground of the elaborate announcements which it makes, especially in art, drawing and paint- ing. These are discussed further under Section V. The work of the Medical School is divided, two years being given at Norman and two years at Oklahoma City. But for a slight deficiency in the matter of hospital facilities, the Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association would have been able to list this Medical School in its Class A. ■ The revenues of the institution amount to about $175,000 per year. These are derived chiefly from appropriations by the Legisla- ture. About $22,000 per year represents the income from the lands received from the Federal Government. IV. Administration The business administration of the University, from the somewhat cursory inquiry which I made, appears to be carried on in a sensible manner, with a budget system for the different departments. The equalization of the use of the different parts of the plant will be worked out further by President Brooks. The proportion of education- al expenditure to administration charges seems satisfactory. I found no evidence of unduly large charges for clerical staff, registrars, deans, etc. President Brooks accepted the Presidency of the University of Ok- lahoma with very definite pledges on the part of the Board of Edu- cation not to interfere with his management of the institution. This pledge was publicly acknowledged by the President of the Board in his address during the inaugural exercises. In view of the various changes of the last five years and of the unfortunate notoriety into which they brought the University and its governing boards, it is gratifying to find this Board ready to seek a strong man, experienced in educational administration, to pay him well, and to give him powers commensurate with the responsibilities laid upon him. It is also gratifying to be able to report that I found no evidence that the Board has thus far failed to keep its pledges to the President. Out- side attempts have been made to use political pressure, but both the Board and the Governor have supported the President. It is quite obvious, however, that the Board of Education is not 29 Statement as to Appropriations out of politics, though the responsibility for this condition cannot be easily determined. Three members of the Board were removed “for cause” by the Governor last June, on account of differences between the Governor and the Board, seemingly over matters relating to the State adoption of text-books and to certain appointments made by the Board during the preceding year. The President of the Board, who is the Superintendent of Public Instruction, a member ex officio, was not removed. The legality of the new appointments by the Governor was contested by the members of the old Board and a temporary injunction prevented the Board from meeting and inducting into office the new members. The State Senate, called by the Governor to meet in special session December 3rd, refused to confirm any appointees on the Board. The Governor therefore appointed a temporary Board, with the understanding that the settlement of the whole matter should be referred to the Legislature, when it meets in January. Practically for some months the President has. had to run the University without a Board or to close the institution. There are abundant evidences of strong public sentiment against interference with the affairs of the University for political, partisan, or personal reasons. This sentiment seems to be strong and vigorous enough to constitute a safe reliance in the development of a progressive policy by the new administration. It should be noted in this connection that this Board of Education, which controls so large a proportion of the higher educational institu- tions of the State, does not control the Agricultural and Mechanical College, which is by law placed under the authority of the State Board of Agriculture. It would be hardly fair, therefore, to compare this de- gree of centralization of control of higher educational institutions with the plan of a central board in other states which controls the agricul- tural college as well as the university. Only by a more thorough-go- ing cooperation between the boards than now seems likely, will the benefits of central control be gained by Oklahoma. The scale of salaries of the faculty is relatively low. The maxi- mum salary of the professor is $2,000, with some additions — about $250 — in the case of those who serve as deans. The dean of the Law School is paid $4,000. In view of the isolation of the University these salaries will be found hardly sufficient to obtain and to hold, as a rule, the best quality of teachers. The desirability of an immediate in- crease in the standard salary is emphasized by what would be called in economics, the factor of risk. Even when this stage has been passed and the stability of administration gives assurance of permanency of tenure, salaries should be pushed up rapidly to $3,000. The relation of the University to the high schools of the State is one needing most careful and sympathetic attention. Last year the 30 The University News-Letter inspector of high schools served under the Board of Education and made no reports to the University. This year he has been made a pro- fessor in the University and will operate under the direction of the President, being ultimately responsible to the Board of Education. There is therefore more or less uncertainty as to the standards repre- sented by the high school graduates who are admitted to the Universi- ty from the various high schools of the State. This will continue un- til some uniform examination of these schools has been made and an evaluation of the credits which their graduates represent has been established. Success will come slowly for a movement improving the high schools, even with the most loyal support from the University. Several of the State agencies for intermediate or higher education operate directly to retard the growth of local high schools. These agencies, such as the normal schools, the various State schools of agri- culture, and the College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, undermine the high school system by receiving students who have not completed the courses in their local high schools. Continuance of the practice will necessarily retard still further the development of the secondary school system. V. Standards In the discussion of standards of admission, the statement just made regarding the condition of the high schools must be kept in mind. The range of variation in the units presented by different high schools under present conditions must be rather wide. As a practical procedure the University is giving the schools the benefit of its own doubts. Two hundred seventeen credentials for admission were checked over. Presenting 15 or more units 160 or 73.7 per cent Presenting 14 or 14 1-2 units 25 or 11.5 per cent Presenting 13 or 13 1-2 units 13 or 6- per cent Presenting 12 or 12 1-2 units 16 or 7.3 per cent Presenting 11 units 3 or 1.5 per cent Special or unclassified students 19 Students in advanced standing 22 Engineering freshmen 24 Law freshmen about 41 Thirty-six affiliated high schools were represented by these en- trants; 20 non-affiliated high schools [those offering less than 15 units or having fewer than 4 teachers] also sent students; 43 other schools, including the normal schools and State agricultural schools and schools outside the State, were represented in the total. The Committee on Admissions, of which Professor Gittinger is chairman, in the adminis- tration of the entrance requirements, is to be commended for its judi- cious and painstaking work under many difficulties, difficulties which 31 Statement as to Appropriations will not be overcome until the whole system of high schools has been given a thorough examination by a State inspector. The difficulty con- cerning high schools is perhaps illustrated by the divergence between the number of schools in the State with which the University has affilia- tion and the number, four, recognized by the North Central Associa- tion of Colleges and Secondary Schools. It is hardly possible that the standards of the University differ so much from the standards of the North Central Association as these figures indicate. The present faculty is a comparatively new body and in spite of the upheavals and interferences of recent years, it has surprisingly good esprit de corps. Of the seventy-six members of the faculty, excluding lecturers in the Medical Department, clerks, and assistants, only ten date their appointment previous to 1906, and only seventeen previous to 1908. Five members of the law faculty date their appointment since 1909, the year of the organization of the Law School. Twelve appointments date from 1908, eight from 1909, twelve from 1910, fifteen from 1911, twelve from 1912. Of these seventy-six members of the faculty, six [the athletic coach and five teachers of music] have no degree of any kind, twenty-eight have only the A. B. or similar bache- lor’s degree, twenty-two have bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and five, the Ph. D. degree. Thirteen of the nineteen holding the degree of M. D. have no other degrees. Six have the LL. B., one of whom is with- out an academic degree. One man has the degree of M. E. While the degree Ph. D. is unfortunately not an evidence of teaching ability, it is noticeable that only 9.8 per cent of the acade:nic faculty of the Univer- sity of Oklahoma, excluding the faculty of Law and Medicine, hold this degree, in contrast to 40 per cent of the faculty of the University of North Dakota. Many classes were visited during this inspection and much good teaching was observed. Taken as a whole the methods of instruction and the spirit of the classroom would be rated somewhat above the average. The number of students in classes or in sections was satis- factory. Only in rare instances did I find a class running above thirty. Similarly the number of hours required of an instructor was not ex- cessive. The number of special or unclassified students is kept down well, except in the School of Fine Arts, where they number seventy-nine of the total of one-hundred and twenty-three. The School of Fine Arts is the portion of the University organization which is most open to objection. The course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Music seems to be much stronger and more easily justified on a general view of the conditions of the University than the course leading to the de- gree of Bachelor of Painting. As a matter of fact, neither the argu- the ueum rt ™ SEP l 9 k - UWVERSry rr 32 The University News-Letter ments presented by the officers of the School of Fine Arts nor the ob- servations made of its equipment and work are convincing as to the advisability of continuing to give a course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Painting. Without collections of paintings or galleries in the University or within reasonable reach, and with the local demand much stronger for elementary than for advanced instruction in draw- ing and painting, it would seem as though the University might well abandon this part of its fine arts work and devote its energies to making still stronger and richer the present course leading to a degree in music, or a course in which music shall be the major study. Under present conditions the latter work seems to be soundly organized and judiciously administered. An examination of che description of courses in the College of Arts and Sciences indicates a slight tendency to carry on the announce- ment of courses which have not been given for several years, but no one department seems to be an especial offender in this particular. Approximately 170 courses are announced for the first semester, in- cluding certain courses alternating with other courses, for example, courses in German given in 1911-12 and notin 1912-13, and other courses matching them given in 1912-13 and not in 1911-12. The number of these alternating courses is about 27. Eliminating this duplicate group the total number of first semester courses would be approxi- mately 143. Of these 97, were given both years; 19 appear not to have been given for the last two years, and no memorandum shows when they were last given. VI. Spirit The spirit of the University of Oklahoma appears to be wholesome, virile, and ambitious. Faculty and students alike are earnest for im- provement and for service, They are quite undismayed by difficulties and limitations and appear eagerly to respond to the call of an exper- ienced and courageous leader like President Brooks. The nature of the training of the faculty and the necessity for devoting themselves to the teaching function have combined to prevent any very large scholarly activity, though four or five exceptions should be mentioned. Briefly speaking, the Law School seems to be the department which has most certainly “found itself” and when it occupies its new build- ing it will probably be the most significant division of the University. KENDRIC C. BABCOCK, Specialist in Higher Education.