Report of the Principal of the Latin
School

To the Hon. Board of Regents of the
University of Nebraska: -

Gentlemen: -    

The history

of the Latin School as a separate
department, properly begins with
the year 1878. At the opening
of the Winter Term, the causes
which had previously prevented
the organization of the Schoo, -
as detailed in my former report, -
were formed no longer to exist,
& since that time, every student
below the grade of Freshman, has
been uder the personal super-
vision of the Principal. While
it was impossible, in the part

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of the year that remained, to
more than make a beginning, -
I think everyone cognizant of the
facts will acknowledge that
a adecided improvement has
been made, both in regard to
order in halls, etc., & also in reg-
ularity & thoroughness in the work
of the school. Every student now
understands that he belongs
somewhere, during every hour from
the beginning of his first
recitation till the close of his
las. Absences from the study
room are noted with the same
regularity as absences from the
classroom, & the same penalty at-
tached. The intention is to keep
the time of the students so fully
occupied either in recitation or

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study, that there will be no op-
portunity to loiter in halls, or
waste time in idleness & disor-
der. A glance at the Principal's
Register shows where each student
is due at each period of the
session. Wherever a student be-
gins to lag behind his class, or
is delinquent in any other way, he
is summoned to an interview
with the Principal. The cause
of the delinquency is inquired, &
the student is kindly but firmly
informed of the necessity of im-
provement. Instead of considering
this a punishment, more students
are grateful for such words of
warning & advice, & show their
appreciation by redoubling their
efforst to do well. When this is
not the case, parents are informed,

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& their cooperation solicited. The
result usually is, either that the
student is cured of the defect, or
is quietly withdrawn by the parent.
My idea of school government, is to
exercise a fatherly care over each
pupil. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX To advise,
& encourage, warn & direct. In
loco parentis, means to me all that
the words imply. A student whose
conduct precludes the exercise of
^this kind of government
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX should be returned
to his parents. Most students, ^however, are
glad to have this kind of supervis-
ion. The come to the Principal
of their own accord to confess de-
linquincies, ask for information &
advise, & discuss plans for future
study. Many well-meaning students
become entirely discouraged & broken

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up in their school work, simply
because of mis-judment in the
selection of studies, at the beginning
of their course. XXXXXX But all
students of the Latin School being
now required to report their selection
of studies to the Principal before entering
his classes, this defect well be largely
received by judiciously + bestowed
advice.

    In view of the requirement of the
Regents that pupils of the Latin School
shall study in the Principal's room
when not reciting, I respectfully call
attention to the necessity of having
that room supplied with school desks.
The comfort & health of the pupils alike
demand this. At present, students
must sit on recitation benches,
placing the book on the lap &
leaning ^the body forward in the most
uncomfortable & injurious of positions.

     Only a few desks are required, _ 15 or

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20 will answer the present demand
- & I earnestly hope that so small
& so important a want, may be promply supplied.

    The number of students enrolled
in the Winter Term, was 94. Spring
Term, 77. About one-half are from
Lancaster Co. The others represent
nearly 20 different counties of
Nebraska, & a few are from other
States.

    The entrance examinations inan-
grated this year, have been suc-
cessful in protecting the classes from
being burdened by those XXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX who would not be able
to perfrom the work required; & a
useful rule of the FAculty requiring
^students to pass the two of their three studies in
order to remain in the institution,
has gradually disposed of the olironic

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cases of failure, which have been
so great a hindrance to efficient
work. In order to perfrom sucess-
fully the work of the prescribed
course, the door of entrace must
be carefully guarded; & it is the
intention to ^enforceXXXXXXXXXXXXX in future
XXXX somewhat more strictly than
in the past, the rule of the Regents
in this particular. But as it is
still not generally known that
such a requirement exists, XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
some means ought to be taken
during the coming vacation, to
publish thoroughly throughout the
State, exactly what is required
for entracne. If this can be done, with the experience of the
past year for a guide, I believe

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that a very great improvement can be made next year in the effi- ciency of the Latin School - which to the Univeristy is like the foundation of a building, - of first importance.

    My work as a teacher is set forth in the blank accompanying the Chancellor's report, & it is therefore unnecessary to repeat it here.

Very Respectfully,

Chs B Palmer.
Principal of the Latin School