Project Editor: Kimberly Kraska, UCARE, 2007

Project Editor: Kimberly Kraska, UCARE, 2007

It has often been remarked by different professors that the many classes of the preparatory years occupied so much of their time as to interfere with their work in the higher branches. We have a plan to suggest, that would relieve them and work a benefit to all concerned; it is to have the classes of the Latin school heard by the more advanced students. It does not appear to be a very sound economy for the State to pay a professor's salary for work that is performed equally as well in our common schools. In most similar institutions this plan is adopted and so far as we know works satisfactorily. To the student this would offer a means of support and enable many to complete their course that might otherwise be unable to do so. The objections to the Latin School could not be so great, for while no the state pays professors two thousand dollars a year for giving instructions in grammar, arithmetic and the elements of the different sciences, by allowing this work to be done by the students, if could be accomplished for one fourth the expense. But it may be claimed, that while a suitable man is required in each of the departments, that the demands upon them from the college classes would leave much of their time to be devoted to other labors and hence economy would suggest that we employ this labor. This argument seems valid and is, if we admit that the only duty of a professor is to hear recitations. But this is not the case; the object of the University is to advance the cause of higher education and any labor that will aid in this is apart of the duties of those under whose control the school is placed. The University should be the center of the educational interests throughout the state. Much labor is required of each professor outside of the class-room, and time should be allowed for its performance. Already this extra work has accomplished a great amount for the state. Upon this to a great degree the reputation of the school abroad depends, for few can know anything of class-room work. Now although this work in the Preparatory Department has and can be done by the Professors, by devoting all their time, it would seem poor policy, as there is so much that should receive their attention that would be of manifold more advantage to the state. We might mention many instances where different members of the faculty have been obliged to slight class-room duties, because of the too great stress of so called outside work-although the most important of their duties-which need not have occurred had they not been burdened with the Latin School classes. We think it would be well to relieve the Professors somewhat, and give this, the most unpleasant part of their work, to the advanced students.