44 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



to the spirit of democracy that has always pervaded the dormitory life. 

 The societies, in my day at least, were supplementary to the dormitory 

 life of the students. Even in the Greek letter fraternities which existed 

 at that time, and of one of Avhich I was a member, the fraternity interest 

 Avas entirely subordinate to the general interests of the student body as a 

 whole. From my experience in various other colleges and universities, 

 I am convinced that this relation should be preserved at any cost. The 

 most unfortunate tendency in university life at present seems to me to 

 be the growth of social class distinctions among the students. The 

 fratei-nity system, unless checked by a general dormitory system, breeds 

 snobbery, conceit, extravagance, egotism, and a host of other evils that 

 are at entire variance with our American ideals of democracy, simplicity, 

 and equality of opportunity. 



"I sincerelv trust that my Alma Mater will not be led into this fatal 

 policy." 



No. 14. Opposed. 



"Dear Sir: — Your circular letter of 8th inst. has been forwarded to 

 the writer who is away from home. 



"Answering your question, I am convinced that fraternity life as ex- 

 emplified at our great universities would do incalculable harm to the 

 ideals of high thinking and plain living at the Michigan Agricultural 

 College, would foster a ridiculous aristocracy in the student body and 

 develop social ambitions which should have no place in an educational 

 institution which is supj)orted by the tax payers of our state. 



"I think I can state without fear of contradiction that fraternity life 

 has had the effect stated in 99 out of every 100 institutions in the country 

 where it is in existence, in fact, I believe in every institution. Even the 

 great universities have found this spirit of aristocracy a menace and have 

 tried to overcome it in vain. 



"If it has worked havoc in universities which cater to literary culture 

 among the classes, what would be the effect in an institution devoted to 

 the scientific culture and industrial development of the masses? I be- 

 lieve it Avould be ruinous to the ideals of our college and should not be 

 permitted, and I believe that my views coincide not ouly with those held 

 by the majority of the people but Avith the majority of college-bred men." 



Kespectfully submitted. 



R. D. GRAHAM. 



RESOLUTIONS. 



The report of President Graham Avas accepted and the following reso- 

 lutions adopted : 



"In accord Avith the expressed sentiment of between eighty and ninety 

 per cent, of the alumni heard from, he it resolved, that it shall be the 

 policy of this institution to foster the dormitory system of housing 

 students, and that efforts Avill be made to increase as rapidly as possible 

 dormitory accommodations, eating halls, and quarters for social pur- 

 poses. ResolA^ed, further, that this Board shall not give its consent to 

 the erection of society houses for living purposes, but it shall encourage 



