'— ' DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 3o 



soon. This building should piovide large purloi-s and suftioient space 

 for daucing to make it possible for several parties to be held on the 

 same evening. This building might also provide rooms for general head- 

 quarters for the student body and especially lor those not affiliated 

 with one of the societies. 



Societies and alumni should be encouraged, without incurring large 

 indebtedness, to erect society buildings for literary and social purposes. 

 These buildings should contain a few fine rooms for the exclusive use 

 of the alumni, as well as room for two students who would have direct 

 charge of the building. An alumnus should feel free to drop in and 

 occupy a room at his convenience and should not feel that he was in- 

 conveniencing any one in so doing. These buildings should be fine 

 specimens of architectural design and should contain parlors, lounging 

 rooms, reading room and as large a room as possible for general 

 meetings, receptions, etc. In my opinion these buildings should 

 be on the campus. They should be so near to the dormitories and 

 dining rooms that students could drop in during vacant hours or 

 after meals and thus use them as social centers. They also should 

 be on the campus for economic reasons. If the State Board was will- 

 ing the site for such buildings would cost nothing, the heat and light 

 would be secured at cost and no taxes would be levied. This would 

 nuike the expense for maintenance comparatively small — so small as 

 to be within the reach of any student. The average M. A. C. student 

 cannot afford to live in the modern fraternity house, and as these 

 societies have been developed and maintained by the students of moder- 

 ate means their traditions can best be conserved and perpetuated by 

 students of the same class and not by students who will of necessity 

 be selected because of their ability to meet large expense accounts. As 

 the college grows there will come to it a class of students who will 

 desire and can afford something better than that enjoyed by the aver- 

 age student. This class can be taken care of in the new dormitories 

 or private families. They will be few in number in this college for many 

 years to come and there need be no fear as to their securing comfort- 

 able quarters. One thing certain the student with money should not 

 be permitted to set the social standard as he has done in so many of 

 our lai'ger institutions. 



If the suggestions as outlined above can be adopted and followed the 

 democratic traditions of the college can be maintained. Social centers 

 will develop on the campus and will be open to the vast majority of 

 students. These social centers or societies will be so varied in character 

 as to meet the tastes of the difterent classes of students. This is true 

 of the societies at present and no doubt will become e\en more pro- 

 nounced in tlu! future. Methods of living for students will develop 

 and improve in conNcuieiice, cleanliness and sanitation in kH'ping Avith 

 the lajiid progress along Ihese lines in home and community life. Very 

 good accommodations in the way of rooms, board and social privileges 

 can thus be provided for students at a cost within the reach of the 

 average boy. It should not be forgotten that this institution is main- 

 tained for the average young man. His interests are paramount. This 

 institution should not be permitted to grow away from him as has been 

 the experience of so many of the great institutions of this country. 



These suggestions ai-e commende<I to the cai^eful consideration of the 



