110 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



with roferenro to the personnel of the station. But there is still need, 

 in some eases, of a higher standard for the composition of these 

 boards, based on the service which Avill be; re(inired of their mem- 

 bers and their great importance in the proper development of these 

 institutions. 



In some cases the state laws and even the state constiiitions have 

 placed undue limitations on the kind of men to be appointed to the 

 board, and have thus robbed it of a breadth of representation which 

 is very desirable. In some cases only men engaged in farming are 

 eligible to appointment, and there is no provision for an officer hav- 

 ing familiarity or connection wdth educational work. It not infre- 

 quently happens that a majority of the members are not college 

 graduates and are without previous opportunity for coming into 

 touch with the traditions and practices of such institutions. 



The restriction of the duties of the board to those of the general 

 government of the institution in no sense detracts from the impor- 

 tance of that body, or the necessity for selecting men carefully for it. 

 The fact that it deals with matters in a large way and looks to experts 

 of its own appointing for advice and for the carrying out of details, 

 makes its action none the less fundamental. The weight of its in- 

 fluence in. giving continuity and in maintaining proper public senti- 

 ment and in securing appropriations for the institution's work gives it 

 a place of first importance. 



A high sense of the obligation which membership in the governing 

 board implies is equally as essential as a definition of function. Ap- 

 pointments are often too lightly made and accepted, and as they do 

 not carry monetary consideration are greatly underestimated in im- 

 portance or in the duty they imply. Acceptance of a trusteeship 

 implies an agreement with the people to give the best of a man's 

 ability, and to devote the time necessary to attending meetings and 

 discharging intelligently the duties of membership. A neutral or 

 passive attitude, or failure to attend regular meetings, deprives the 

 public of an active and aggressive representative. It is a failure 

 to recognize a public duty which has been voluntarily assumed. 



The appointment of competent, broad-minded, public-spirited per- 

 sons on the boards of these institutions is of very great importance, 

 and is worthy of far greater public interest than it usually receives. 

 It is fundamental, because such boards have it in their power to 

 largely determine the course of development of these institutions and 

 their standing in the educational system. Xo executive officer should 

 be obliged to spend his energy in attempting to numage his board. 

 The appointment of men having the necessary qualifications may 

 w^ell receive the active attention of bodies and organizations which 

 have the welfare of these institutions at heart, and are seeking to 

 promote their progress. 



