~- DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 35 



men. They might very proi>erly be called local fraternities. The col- 

 lege has nine suites of rooms in Williams and Wells Halls which are 

 available for the use of these societies without charge. Two societies 

 have built houses— one on the campus, which is used for social and 

 literary purposes only — the other off the campus Avhich is used as a 

 home for its members, providing living rooms and boarding facilities. 

 It is in all respects a modern fraternity house. 



"At least three or four other societies are anxious to build houses of the 

 latter type, either on or off the campus. In their favor the claim is 

 made that at the majority of our large universities fraternity houses 

 are very common, permitted and sanctioned by the lioard of Control of 

 these universities; and that modern student life demands that some 

 students draw away from the student body and form fraternal com- 

 munities where they may live apart from the masses in perhaps a freer 

 Wily than the dormitory affords. It is claimed that this fraternal life 

 is more pleasant, forms closer friendships and on the whole is commend- 

 able. ' ; ' 



"On the other hand it is claimed that these fraternity houses add 

 very much to the cost of living; that only young men of considerable 

 means can afford to live in a fraternity house; that fraternities dictate 

 the social life of a university or college and naturally set a pace which 

 the farniei' boy or ordinary young man cannot follow; that they tend 

 to seclusion and aristocrac.v rather than to freedom and democracy. 



"These are but a few of many arguments put forth on both sides. 

 The ])rob]em is no doubt familiar to you. 



"The question is, shall the college foster the fraternity idea of hous- 

 ing students and jiermit the building of fraternity houses with rooming 

 and boarding facilities, or shall it follow the traditions of bygone years 

 and erect more dormitories and mess halls and restrict society houses 

 to social and educational jturposes, thus fostering the broader and 

 seemingly more democratic idea. If the latter plan is thought advis- 

 able, it is not telieved that we shall find it difficult to secure appro]>ria- 

 tions for the erection of dormitories, as they Avill pay a fair interest 0!i 

 the investment. 



"A full explanation of this problem can be found in the last report of 

 President Snyder, a copy of which will be mailed you under another 

 cover. 



"Will you not write me fully on this question. I can assure you that 

 we shall appreciate your judgment in the matter. As we hope to make 

 a final decision at our next Board meeting, maj' I not hear from you 

 within a few days? 



"Thanking you on behalf of the Board for the reply which I hope you 

 will kindly grant, I am 



Very truly yours, 



R. D. Graham." 



It has not been an easy matter to tabulate these replies. While all 

 express an intense interest in the question, some have discussed the 

 problem in general terms and have left their decision to be inferred 

 rather than expressing it in exact language. Such letters are not 

 usually neutral in tone, but with an effort to be fair most of them 

 have been placed in a column by themselves as neither fostering nor 



