DEPARTMEXT REPORTS. 91 



typewriters be secured and that in the future all freshmen be required 

 to do at least part of their written work in this way. For students to 

 supply themselves with a typewriter when they enter college would 

 be wise. Notebook work done thus will have a value that otherwise 

 it cannot have. The typewriter makes for accuracy as the i)en some 

 way fails entirely to do. As it is possible to secure rebuilt typewriters 

 that are entirely satisfactory for as low a price as S12 or |15, there 

 is no satisfactory reason why ever}- freshman should not be urged to 

 supply himself with a machine. 



As in English, so in the modern languages, the thought of the practi- 

 cal value of the work has been ever kept to the front. Books dealing 

 with German life and customs, accompanied by careful map study and 

 current magazine reading, have been prominent in the work in German, 

 and similar work has been done in French. Mr. Fischer, a very- valuable 

 instructor in German, has been recommended by the Carnegie Foun- 

 dation to the Prussian ministry for a position as exchange teacher dur- 

 ing the coming year. Should the appointment be approved by the 

 Prussian Bureau. Mr. Fischer expects to spend the coming year in the 

 careful study of German school life, giving particular attention to the 

 education of young women. I trust that arrangements may be made 

 which will enable him to feel while he is in Germany that his position 

 here is secure for him upon return. Such an experience will make him 

 still more valuable as a member of the instructional force of this college. 



Miss Michaelides, whjo for five years has taught most of the French 

 classes of the department, does not expect to return next year. She 

 had become a peculiarly valuable member of the department, and her 

 work, faithful and done with much skill, ^ill not easily be duplicated, 

 because of the unusual privilege she had had of receiving her education 

 largely in France. 



Mr. Hensel, after a service of four years, has resigned to accept a 

 position as assistant superintendent of the Presb,^i:erian Hospital in 

 Chicago. Mr. Hensel came to the department as an instructor in Ger- 

 man. He has done work as an instructor in English and in literature, 

 and during the past year taught public speaking, and was in general 

 charge of the work in oratory and debating. I feel that the depart- 

 ment has never had a more valuable instructor. His quiet, earnest char- 

 acter has been fully appreciated by the student body, as is indicated 

 by the tribute paid him when he left. The students presented him with 

 an appropriately engraved fob. Only the occasional instructor is thus 

 honored. It is a misfortune that the college does not retain men of 

 such exceptional character, influence and teaching ability, no matter 

 what the financial outlay may be. Other instructors equally good as 

 teachers may be obtained; to obtain others whose influence will be so 

 ennobling and uplifting will not be easy. 



During this year the students arranged for a triangular debate with 

 the State Normal College at Ypsilanti and with Alma College. The 

 question discussed was. "Resolved, That the federal government should 

 impose a graduated income tax, constitutionality conceded." In the de- 

 bate held at Alma on !May 17 the negative of the question was upheld 

 by Messrs. R. M. Snyder, 'U : P. J. Vevia. '15, and D. L. Clute. '15. Mr. 

 Snyder is an agricultural student and the two freshmen are engineers. 

 The decision in this debate was in favor of Alma. In the debate held 



