DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 1C3 



ous contests that accompany it. Is it fair to ask the students when 

 an oratorical contest or a debate is to be held to pay for the transporta- 

 tion of seats from one part of the campus to another, in order that the 

 armory may be used? This has been the custom in the past. It would 

 becouie entirely unnecessary if seats could be left at the armory for 

 use at any time. 



The department lacks entirely a place for satisfactory presentation of 

 dramatic work of any kind and of course has no place for rehearsals 

 in work of this sort. At a comparatively small expense it would be 

 possible to install a permanent stage as an addition to the east end 

 of the armory. This would take nothing from the present floor space 

 of the armory, and along with seats left in the armory for use at any 

 time, Avould go far toward providing an auditorium which would suffice 

 until we can have the one which we unfortunatelv failed to secure this 

 year. 



I trust that these recommendations may receive attention, both for 

 the sake of this department and for tlie good of the college at large. 



I wish to thank you and the State Board for the constant encourage- 

 ment and help given to the department during the year. In a technical 

 institution it is not easy to maintain the interest of the students in 

 work such, as we present. If this department is to have success it must 

 have at the same time such sujjport as you have given it in the past 

 and such as has been given to it by the faculty in general. I court 

 for the department a continuation and an increase of interest from the 

 other dei)artments in the college. 



Respectfully youi*s, 



THOS. C. BLAISDELL, 

 Professor of English and Modern Languages. 



East Lansing, Mich., June 30, 1911. 



