stituted the outfit, but in conformity with the United States Army regulations the olive suit has been substituted for the grey ones. Through the courtesy of the Adjutant General of West Virginia, the corps has twice had the benefit of the presence and leadership of a Drill Sergeant of the United States Army. In view of the discipline and training that the young men get in their association in the cadet corps, I believe some financial recognition should be given for part of their expenses from the enrollment fees, as the outlay of from twenty to twenty-five dollars a year becomes a little heavier than some students feel like bearing in view of other necessary expenses. PRINCIPAL'S STATEMENT OF NEEDS. The appropriation for the last biennial period was as follows: I do not have the exact figures now at hand, but nearly all of the appropriations were exhausted within the current biennial period except the $26,000.00 for Buildings and Land which has not become available on account of our depleted treasury. The financial report of your Board will show the exact expenditures under each head. For the next biennial period, I recommend the following appropriations: The reasons for the small increase in support for the next two years are as follows: 1. The current expense fund has scarcely been sufficient to meet the incidental demands of the institution, and we have often times been compelled to economize to a degree that has embarassed us. It is believed that the increase of $500.00 for each year will meet our immediate needs. 2. I have referred elsewhere to the necessity of extensive repairs in the valleys of the roof of the main building, hence the increase there. 3. As heretofore stated in my reports and as you gentlemen of the Board well know, we have lost some of the best members of our normal school faculities on account of the low salaries paid. I know somewhat of the restrictions under which your Board and also the Board of Regents are placed by the meager appropriations made by the Legislature, and so recognize the limitations of your ability to make very large increase in salary rates. But in some way I hope the plea for a better recognition of the teaching force of the state may reach the Legislature and that more liberal appropriations may be made for normal school support. The Board of Regents has made a slight increase for the year 1914-15, but as compared with the high school salaries in the state, the normal salaries are very low. As some encouragement to faithful teachers, I recommend that the salaries for all assistants be made to increase until they reach a minimum of at least $1,200.00 per annum for all who have been in these positions for at least three years. Then for special departments where a higher degree of proficiency may be demanded corresponding salaries should be paid. It is with much regret we note the fact that your Board has been unable to take steps looking to the erection of the dormitory provided for by the last Legislature, but we are hoping that within the next year we may realize our great need in this respect and see the completion of this much needed building. I will not here emphasize further what has been said on this subject heretofore, except to state that while writing this report, five persons have come to Shepherdstown looking to entering school next year, but being unable to find suitable accommodations, especially for the daughters, have gone elsewhere. The dormitory contemplated is for young ladies, exclusively, as I believe young men can be provided for in the town under present conditions. The sum of $26,000.00 appropriated for the dormitory is not sufficient to put up and properly equip a building of the kind needed. Such a building should be modern in every respect and up-to-date in all that pertain to sanitation and proper social environment. I have therefore recommended an additional appropriation of $12,000.00 for the erection of this building, presuming that the $26,000.00 already appropriated will be yet available. Many other subjects of interest might be dwelt upon but I think it altogether unnecessary to burden your Board with any details relating to administrative affairs. In closing I may say that we have an excellent faculty, efficient and enthusiastic in its work, all in harmony, laboring for the advancement of the students and aiming to contribute in some slight degree at least to the educational progress of West Virginia. |