GENERAL PLAN. Under the organic law the Board of Regents are authorized to establish any desired number of Departments or Colleges, the following, however, being specified : "A DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY INSTRUCTION; 66 'A COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, LITERATURE AND THE ARTS; "A COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE; "A COLLEGE OF MECHANIC ARTS; A COLLEGE OR DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE; 66 A COLLEGE OR DEPARTMENT OF LAW." The Colleges of Law and Medicine have not yet been organized. The relative positions of these Colleges or Departments are illustrated by the following diagram : The Department of Elementary Instruction, otherwise designated, by virtue of a by-law of the Board of Regents, "THE COLLEGIATE DEPARTMENT," is introductory to the permanent colleges of the University. It includes, together with the work of the freshman and sophomore classes of the ordinary college courses, the remainder of the old Preparatory Department, so long as any may be retained. In common with the colleges and universities of the newer states, the institution has been obliged to carry a large amount of preparatory work. One year of such work has been already dropped, and others will be formally discontinued as soon as may be. This arrangement of departments emphasizes and formulates the growing tendency and custom of American colleges and universities to make the close of the second or sophomore year a branching point for certain professional or techrical courses, and for the introduction of optional studies. It presupposes a separation of the secondary and superior epochs of education, and a corresponding assortment of studies. The high schools and other "fitting schools" of the state are thus invited to extend their work substantially up to the junior year. When this shall have been generally done, the University will, as provided by law, dispense with the whole of the Department of Elementary Instruction, and will extend her work on post-graduate ground. In the meantime the elementary work of the University will begin at the point where the schools of the state leave off. The general plan of the University contemplates a group or federation of distinct colleges, having each its own organization, faculty, buildings and equipment. Among the advantages claimed for this general plan may be named the following: 1. A faithful adherence to the letter and spirit of the laws, state and national, which have established and endowed the University, and which contemplate it as a federation of literary, professional and industrial Colleges. 2. That, while offering the old college curriculum and discipline in their best forms to the literary and professional classes, the University will provide for the industrial classes that "liberal and practical education" required by law and public sentiment. 3. The separation of the natural epochs of secondary and superior education, and the ultimate liberation of the University. from the elementary work of the former: and coinciding with this division, an advantageous assortment of studies, methods and discipline suitable to the two periods respectively. 4. A close and vital articulation of the University with the public school system of the state. 5. The elevation of the high schools by enlarging the recognized sphere of their instruction. The elevation of the professional schools by requiring of candidates for degrees a good general education as a prerequisite for admission, while not insisting upon the impossible condition that all shall have gone over the whole of the old college course. 7. The elevation in particular of the Colleges of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts to equal rank and standing with other university courses, and the separation of the studies and exercises properly belonging to them, from the elementary branches taught in the primary and secondary schools; which branches it is not the business of COLLEGES to teach. 8. Great freedom in the arrangement of details to suit varying conditions, the main plan remaining unchanged. To put the above plan of organization into effect, as well as to prescribe the rights, powers and duties of the various parties concerned, the Board of Regents have from time to time enacted such by-laws as seemed to be necessary. These, after being submitted to the General Faculty for their revision, have been arranged and codified for convenience of reference. See Calendar for 1874-5. INSTRUCTION. PROFESSORSHIPS. The following is the scheme of DEPARTMENTS OF INSTRUCTION at large, for the various Colleges or Departments of the University, authorized by the Board of Regents : 22. Theory and Practice of Agricul- Horticulture and Arboriculture. ture. 23. Civil Engineering. 24. Mechanical Engineering. 25. Military Science. 26. Veterinary Science. 27. Education. 28. Business. Architecture. Mechanics. Stock Breeding. The following consolidations and assignments are now in force: 1. Astronomy is attached to the department of Mathematics. 2. Physics is attached to the department of Chemistry. 3 Botany, Zoology and Physical Geography are in charge of the Professor of Geology and Mineralogy. 4. Logic is attached to the Department of Social Science. 5. The French Language and Literature are in charge of the Professor of History. 6. No instruction is offered in South European Languages. 7. Comparative Philology is attached to the department of Mental and Moral Philosophy. 8. International Law is attached to the department of History. 9. Elocution and Vocal Culture are in charge of the Professor of English. 10. No instruction is offered in Music and Gymnastics. 11. The department of Public Health (with associated subjects) is in charge of the Secretary of the State Board of Health. 12. Industrial Drawing and Descriptive Geometry are attached to the chair of Civil Engineering. 13. No instruction is offered in the department of Fine Arts, except a short course of lectures. 14. Mechanical Engineering is united with Civil Engineering. 15. Veterinary Science and Stock Breeding are in charge of the Professor of Theory and Practice of Agriculture. 16. No instruction is offered in the departments of Business or Education. |