34 STATE BOARD OF ACUIICULTURE. 



as to the social life of the student body. If a uumber of fraternity 

 houses are erected off the campus they must of necessity, on account of 

 the increase in expenses, draw to them the students who have money. 

 The students of limited means Avill live in the dormitories, but the 

 fraternity houses will set the social standard and as is the case in our 

 universities, the felloAV not connected with a fraternity honse will have 

 practically no standing socially. If this time should come the democratic 

 spirit of the campus — that social equality which has been the salvation 

 of the poor boy — will be a thing- of the past. There is much in 

 the college fraternity and fraternity house to be commended, and also 

 much that is far from commendation, but the question is not as to 

 the principle of their organizations and the mode of student life which 

 they foster, but rather as to the advisability of changing from the 

 free, democratic, wholesome social life which has characterized this 

 college in the past to the exclusive, expensive and somewhat aristocratic 

 idea as indicated by the modern trend of fraternity life in our larger 

 institutions. The reputation of this college has been made by alunmi 

 who almost withont an exception were students of little means. The 

 student body of the present day belongs mainly to the same class. Their 

 means are limited. They can no doubt afford more luxuries than could 

 the students of thirty years ago, yet their funds come largely from the 

 careful savings and sacrifioe of their parents. Should not the authori- 

 ties of the college and the alumni adopt every means possible to furnish 

 to these young people the very best opportunities both educational and 

 social at the minimum cost? 



SUGGESTIONS. 



The college should at the earliest possible date consistent with the 

 other needs of the institution erect more domitories for young men. 

 These, of course, should provide large well lighted and well ventilated 

 living rooms with all modern sanitary accessories. Some of the ad- 

 vantages in favor of the dormitories are that they furnish good sanitary 

 rooms at small cost. Thirty dollars i>er year Avill provide good living 

 quarters for a student including heat and light. Dormitory life gives 

 the student good training. He learns to live with others, to have a i)roper 

 regard for their rights and to conform to the general customs whicli 

 prevail in community life. The money spent by the college for the 

 erection of a dormitory in a sense is an investment as it will return 

 in rents even at moderate rates from three to four per cent net on 

 the outlay. The trend among our large institutions in recent years is 

 toward dormitory life. Harvard has sixteen dormitories. Princeton 

 has erected several Avithin the past few years and Cornell Avill do so 

 as soon as funds are available. 



The college should also build a large centrally located dining hall. 

 This should be fitted up wiUi all modern conveniences and a])pliances 

 and sufficiently large to accommodate ten or twelve hundred students 

 if necessary. This would make it possible to furnish good, wholesome 

 board at the minimum cost. It would also foster that depiocratic 

 spirit which is desirable especially in institutions supported by taxa- 

 tion. 



A new gymnasium is very much desired and ^sliould be provided 



