34 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



In my report of last year, I called the attention of the Board to the 

 conditions of social life at the institution, and the desirability of main- 

 taining the democratic spirit. The Board was led later by certain 

 requests from societies to make a thorough investigation with reference 

 to the question of societ}' buildings. The report of the Board which was 

 issued as College Bulletin Volume III, Number 11, is printed herewith. 



AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE BULLETIN, VOL. Ill, NO. IL 



REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD. 



To the Honorable State Board of Agriculture: 



Gentlemen — At a meeting of our Board held at Mt. Pleasant on Feb. 

 24th, there was a communication received from the Hesi)erian Literary 

 Society, requesting the Board to state upon Avhat conditions it might 

 be accorded the privilege of erecting a society building on the campus. 

 A request similar to this was received from another society a year or 

 more ago. Many questions have arisen recently with reference to the 

 policy of the Board concerning the erection of society buildings as living 

 homes for students. The Board desiring to reach an intelligent and 

 safe conclusion, directed its president to make a full investigation of 

 the whole matter and to report to the Board at a later meeting. This 

 report I now have the honor of presenting. 



The policy to be pursued by the Board concerning the erection of 

 society houses seemed to be a question in which the alumni would feel 

 a special interest, and whose advice might indicate a wise solution of 

 the problem. Hence, the following letter of inquiry was mailed to all 

 the living alumni whose addresses are known except the five last 

 classes. Recent graduates change their addresses so frequently that 

 it was felt inadvisable to try to reach them at this time. There were 

 about seven hundred inquiries sent out, to which two hundred and 

 seventy-eight replies were received. The letter mailed out was as fol- 

 lows : 



"Grand Rapids,. Mich., March 8, 1909. 



"My Dear Sir~You are no doubt acquainted with the rapid develop- 

 ment in recent years of your Alma Mater, the Michigan Agricultural 

 College. This rapid groAvth has brought many perplexing problems to 

 the Board of Control. We have endeavored to provide physical equip 

 ment and competent teachers commensurate with its needs, but just 

 now we are called upon to settle another problem, in the settlement of 

 which we are anxious to secure the assistance and advice of a few of 

 our able alumni. We feel that their judgment should have much in- 

 fluence in determining our course of action ; therefore, I am directed 

 by the Board to request your opinion as to the proper course to pursue 

 with reference to the following: 



"We have, as you perhaps know, some ten literary societies for young 



