Sbe XHniversits of CbicagoPrice $J*00 founded by john d. rockefeller Single CopiesPer Year 5 CentsUniversity RecordPUBLISHED BY AUTHORITYCHICAGOGbe TUnfversits ot Cbfcago ipreesVOL IV, NO. 50 PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY AT 3:00 P.M. MARCH 16, 1900Entered in the post office Chicago, Illinois, as second-class matterCONTENTS.I. An Association of American Universities 353_354II. Briefs on the Proposition to be considered -'by the University Congregation at itsTwentieth Meeting, April 3, 1900 - 354—355III. Official Notices 355-356IV. Current Events - - - - —- 356V. Calendar 356AN ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES.In accordance with a call and statement, thecontents of which were published in the University Record of December 22, 1899, there washeld aj__the University of Chicago, February 27and 28, a meeting of representatives of certaininstitutions. The invitation to this meeting wasmade by the Presidents of Harvard University,Columbia University, Johns Hopkins University,the University of Chicago, and the University ofCalifornia. There were present representativesof the University of California, the Catholic University of America, the University of Chicago,Clark University, Columbia University, HarvardUniversity, Johns Hopkins University, LelandStanford Jr. University, the University of Michigan, the University of Pennsylvania, PrincetonUniversity, the Federation of Graduate Clubs,and the United States Commissioner of Education. After a full discussion, it was unanimously votedthat the universities represented in. the conference organize themselves into an association. Acommittee was appointed, consisting of PresidentJordan, President Harper, Professor Pettie, President Conaty, and Professor Newbold, to preparethe constitution of the association. At an adjourned meeting the following articles wereadopted :CONSTITUTION.This organization is called The Association of AmericanUniversities.It is founded for the purpose of considering matters ofcommon interest, relating to graduate study.It is composed of institutions on the North AmericanContinent engaged in giving advanced or graduate instruction.Its initial membership consists of the following institutions :University of California. Catholic University of America.University of Chicago. Clark University.Columbia University. Cornell University.Harvard University. Johns Hopkins University.University of Michigan. Princeton University.University of Pennsylvania. Leland Stanford Jr. University.University of Wisconsin. Yale University.Other institutions may be admitted, at the annual conference, on the invitation of the executive committee, endorsedbe a three-fourths vote of the members of the association.The association shall hold an annual conference at suchtime and place as the executive committee may direct.354 UNIVERSITY RECORDThe executive committee shall prepare a programme foreach meeting.The officers of the association shall be : President, Vice*President, and Secretary. These three, with two otherselected by the association, shall constitute the executivecommittee.In each conference each university may have any numberof representatives, but each university shall have asingle vote.No act of the association shall be held to control thepolicy or line of action of any institution belonging to it.After the adoption of this constitution, thefollowing officers were elected for the ensuingyear:For the President of the association — the Representative of Harvard University.For the Vice President — the Representative ofthe University of California.For the Secretary — the Representative of theUniversity of Chicago.For the additional members of the executivecommittee — the Representatives of the ColumbiaUniversity and Johns Hopkins University.At a meeting of the executive committee thesecretary was authorized to communicate witheach of the institutions concerned, and to secure,if possible, the formal acceptance by each institution of membership in the association.It was decided by the executive committee tohold the next annual meeting during the lastweek of February in the city of Chicago. It wasalso voted that the meeting should not includemore than four sessions, and that each universityshould be asked to suggest topics for discussion.The following topics were proposed : " Migration," " Fellowships," " Subordinate requirementsfor the Doctor's Degree," " The Printing of Dissertations."The chairman of the committee was authorizedto appoint some person to prepare a statementof facts concerning each topic to be discussed.It was decided that one topic should be takenup for discussion at each session.It was voted that the association should not appoint a representative for the Paris Exposition and that it should not undertake at present tosecure legislation with reference to the protectionof higher degrees.The Federation of Graduate Clubs was givenan opportunity to present statements in writingon the topics discussed in the association.BRIEFS ON THE PROPOSITIONTO BE CONSIDERED BY THE UNIVERSITY CONGREGATION AT ITS TWENTIETHMEETING, APRIL 3, 1900.Proposition: That the present Increasing Interest inAthletics in the University is Undesirable.Committee: Messrs. Buck and Lovett.Mr. Lovett :The present increasing interest in Athletics isundesirable, because it works injury.A) To the athletes, becausei) It leads them to neglect college work.2) It subjects them to unhealthful influences,due to publicity of college games.B) To the University as a whole, because1) It is a cause of academic and publicscandal, affecting a) students, b) University officers.2) It tends to set up false ideals of academicsuccess as shown by a) over-estimation ofathletes, S) over-emphasis on athletic victories.3) It leads to a false view of the place ofathletic sports in college.Mr. Buck : ~The whole question of the relative advantagesand evils of college athletics is involved.advantages.1. The necessity of physical exercise (in part,at least, compulsory) is not disputed. In thisUniversity athletics are organized and controlledas a branch of physical culture. Exercise in theform of competitive sport is more beneficial thanroutine work, because performed with interestand zest. Even in later life it is difficult andburdensome for most to keep in good physical condition, unless participants in some form of sport.UNIVERSITY RECORD 3552. Courage, endurance, and quickness of decision, which are cultivated by most branches ofsport, are valuable qualities in meeting the emergencies of actual life. Athletics sometimes bringout the best traits of men who are not susceptibleto other influences. The strict training is beneficial morally as well as physically.3. Intellectual training is not inconsiderable,notably in football, which is also the game believed to be accompanied by the greatest evils.4. Athletics form one of the attractions of college life, both for participants and others. Theadvantages of a college course are not confinedto the amount of information imbibed. Thelegitimate pleasures of this unique period in lifeform a factor which should not be underestimated,and of these pleasures the interest and enthusiasmcreated by athletics are a part.5. Rightly or wrongly, a vigorous collegespirit is almost dependent on the existence ofathletics.6. The advantages of athletics in advertisinga university are obvious to all, though hardlyfurnishing a legitimate argument in the balancingof good and evil.EVILSAttending College Athletics in Greater or Less Degree in Different Institutions.1 . Interference with regular college work. — Ordinarily the time given to training is the same asthat taken for other forms of physical exercise orrecreation. Interruption of work comes from theintroduction of extra hours of training, from longtrips away from home, from the excitement andnervous strain preceding important contests.2. Professionalism. — Although the grossestforms of professionalism have been done awaywith everywhere, there are many subtler formswhich it is difficult to control. Beneficiary aid ofall kinds and the regulation of the expenses ofthe training table are capable of abuse. Financial inducements may be made by outside partieswithout the knowledge or connivance of any ofthe athletic authorities. Another form of professionalism, apart fromthe matter of financial aid, consists in the participation in athletics of persons who are not bonafide students or to whom at least class-room workis merely a necessary accessory to the principalbusiness of athletics.3. Professional spirit. — College athletics aresupposed to represent "sport for sport's sake,"but many elements of professional sport are noteliminated. Not sufficient sentiment against thesecret violations of the rules or against taking advantage of technicalities.4. Commercial spirit.— This evil is often muchexaggerated. The financial interests must beconducted in a businesslike way, Yet it is truethat there is often unseemly haggling over smallpoints, and also a tendency to an extravagantscale of charges and expenses. In this University no subscriptions are asked of students.5. Exaggerated hero-worship of athletes ascompared with the honors gained by intellectualachievements. — This springs from the same veinof human nature as the disproportionate worshipof military heroes in the world at large, and in acollege community need not be taken too seriously.CONCLUSION.The advantages of college athletics are great.The evils, if uncontrolled, are greater. But theserious evils are specific, and can be largely eliminated by determined effort.OFFICIAL NOTICES.Reports for the Winter Quarter. — Allinstructors are requested to observe that allreports for courses given during the WinterQuarter are due at the Recorder's Office (or theFaculty Exchange) not later than i2:oom., Tuesday, March 27. // is of the utmost importancethat every course be recorded fully and promptly.Blanks will be furnished through the Faculty Exchange not later than Tuesday, March 20.The University Recorder.356 UNIVERSITY RECORDQuarterly Examinations. The examinations at the close of the Winter Quarter will beheld on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday,March 21, 22, and 23. Examinations for morning classes will be held on the three successivemornings ; for afternoon classes on the three successive afternoons/ as follows :8:30 Exercises, Wedn., Mar. 21, 8:30-11:30 a.m.9:30 " Thurs. " 22, 8:30-11:30 a.m.11:00 " Fri. " 23, 8:30-11:30 a.m.12 :oo u Wedn. a 21, 2 :oo- ¦v :oo p.m.2 :oo a Thurs. a 22, 2 :oo- S :oo p.m.3 :oo a Fri. a 23. 2 :oo- 5 :oo p.m.CURRENT EVENTS.Dr. John P. Peters, who conducted the excavations at Nippur a few years ago, will give anillustrated lecture in Congregation Hall, Haskell Museum, Thursday, March 22, at 4:00 p.m.,under the auspices of the Chicago Society ofthe Archaeological Institute, on "American Excavations at Nippur." All who are interested areinvited to attend;THE CALENDAR.MARCH 16-24, 1900.Friday, March 16.Chapel-Assembly: The Divinity School. Chapel,Cobb Lecture Hall, 10: 30 a.m.Quarterly Election and Initiation into theChicago Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa take placein Congregation Hall, Haskell, at 4: 15 p.m.Senior College Finals and Senior Class Dramatics are held in Kent Theater at 8: 00 p.m.Saturday, March 17.Meetings of University Ruling Bodies in HaskellOriental Museum :The Administrative Board of the UniversityPress, 8: 30 a.m.The Administrative Board of Student Organizations, Publications, and Exhibitions, 10: 00 a.m.The Graduate-Divinity Debate is held inKent Theater at 8:00 p.m. (see p. 350).Material for the CAIiEHDAK must be sent to thein order to be published in the issue of the same week. Sunday, March 18.con v oca tion sunda y.The Convocation Prayer Service is held inCongregation Hall, Haskell, at 3:30 p.m.Members of the Faculties and Candidates for degreesare invited to attend.The Convocation Vesper Service is held inKent Theater at 4:00 p.m.Monday, March 19.Chapel- Assembly : The Junior Colleges. Chapel,Cobb Lecture Hall, 10:30 a.m.Tuesday, March 20.Chapel-Assembly : The Senior Colleges. Chapel,Cobb Lecture Hall, 10:30 a.m.Botanical Club meets in Congregation Hall,Haskell, at 5:00 p.m.Professor Charles F. Millspaugh gives an illustratedlecture on " A Cruise of the Antilles." This meetingis open to all members and friends of the University.The Convocation Reception is held at thePresident's House from 8:00-11:00 p.m.Wednesday, March 21.Quarterly Examinations, 8:30 a.m.~5:oo p.m.(see p. 356).Lecture by Professor John Graham Brooks,Chapel, Cobb Lecture Hall, 4:00 p.m. (seeP- 327)-Thursday, March 22.Quarterly Examinations (continued).Dr. John P. Peters gives an illustrated lectureon "American Excavations at Nippur" inCongregation Hall, Haskell, at 4:00 p.m. (seeP- 356).Fri da y. March 28.Quarterly Examinations (continued).Saturday, March 24, to Sunday, April 1.Quarterly Recess.Office of Information by THUESDAY, 8:30 A.M.,