DEPAETMENT llErORTS. 79 



its members iu literary and forensic culture ; and an Excelsior Lyceum from 

 amon<2: the Freshmen. Both meet weekly. 



Chapter Iota of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity has a membership exclusive 

 of those who did not complete the course, or who have withdrawn from the 

 Chapter, of twenty-soven graduates and thirty-three present members of the 

 College. The object aimed at is stated in their report to the President to be 

 "to build up a refined social character, and irreproachable honesty in eacli 

 member, as Avell as tliorough discipline in writing and speaking." 



The Beta Chapter of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity was organized Nov. 8, 

 1873, by five members, who, in the language of their report, "felt the need of 

 some society that would strengthen and jierpetuate brotherhood and encourage 

 and foster literary and moral culture." It numbers nine graduates and twenty- 

 eight present members of the College. 



Students who desired to attend the Centennial International Exhibition at 

 Philadelphia were allowed one week's time additional to the August vacation. 

 Quite a number availed themselves of the privilege. 



The Detroit, Lansing and Lake Michigan Eailroad, and the Chicago and 

 Lake Huron llailroad, gave free return tickets to our students going to their 

 homes for the two short vacations. The Detroit and Milwaukee did the same 

 to those who entered upon their road at the Owosso station in the August vaca- 

 tion. For such favors hearty thanks are given by the officers of tha College, 

 and by the students, many of whom arc struggling, unassisted, to acquire an 

 education. 



The Faculty forbear in this general lleport to give any account of the work 

 done in the various class-rooms, or on the farm or in the gardens, inasmuch as 

 each officer will present a full report of his department. We would, however, 

 call attention to the fact that while the labor which officers have to perform at 

 the College has, within a few years, been largely increased, there has been no 

 corresponding increase of force. 



It is but a fevr years since the Junior and Senior classes were nnited for in- 

 struction in a number of studies. The size of the classes makes this to be no 

 longer practicable. The Freshman class requires to be instructed iu two sec- 

 tions, and each division is then larger than it should be. 



During the first term, or until our examinations had sifted ont the less compe- 

 tent ones, the sections consisted of more than thirty students each. In some 

 branches we have been compelled to divide the Sophomore class also. Before 

 the growth of the College rendered it inadmissible, the Professor of Agriculture 

 gave instruction in Civil Engineering or Physiology, and the Professor of Hor- 

 ticulture in several l^ranchcs outside of his especial field. 



The indispensable labor of correcting themes, and of giving practice in speak- 

 ing and surveying, as well as in all work where individual instruction or over- 

 sight is required, has been largely increased by the growth of numbers in 

 attendance. 



For thorough work in instruction and oversight there is need of an increase 

 in the number of officers. Our numbers have always been beloAV the require- 

 ments of such a scientific course as we invito students to enter upon. 



We are also shut up to one prescribed course of study, Avhile it might bo well 

 to give a choice of instruction corresponding to the intended pursuits of students. 

 It may be the intention of some to be more occui^ied Avith stock, others with 

 special farm cro2)S, or garden produce, or fruit. 



It is, again, with our limited force, difficult to give proper attention to the 



