Page images
PDF
EPUB

Also the United States Experiment Station, which is an organic part of the University, receives from the United States in accordance with the Act of Congress of 1887, $15,000 annually, which, under the law, is used for conducting experiments in agriculture and can in no possible way be applied to the maintenance or instructional work of the University.

In the use of these two funds for the benefit of the agriculture of Indiana, viz., for the Farmers' Institutes and the Experiment Station, for which the University acts as administrator, it will also be noted that less than one-half of the total amount expended is provided by the State.

Purdue University has come to be ranked with the best schools of technology, in evidence of which its rapid growth in attendance of students from all parts of the country, and the remarkable interest shown in its work by practical business men, are the most conclusive proofs.

Its graduates are sought for in every department of industrial activity and maintain themselves with credit. It is not too much to say that thousands of young men have found at Purdue University the opportunity for training which has opened up careers of profit to themselves and the highest kind of usefulness to the community.

It is the policy of the University (1) to foster close relations with the commercial world, to the end that our instructors may be in touch with the latest progress in the industries in order to make their technical instruction of greater value; (2) to keep the opportunities of the University within reach of the great class of young men and women of limited means to whom such training is of the greatest value. Both faculty and officers are thus earnestly striving to maintain the institution in conformity to the high and useful purpose of its founders.

ATTENDANCE FOR THE YEAR 1901-1902.

The whole number of students in attendance during the year ending June 30, 1902, was 1,189, classified as follows:

[blocks in formation]

The following table will show the growth of the institution in respect to attendance since its organization, the respective figures being for the year ending June 30, of the years named:

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][subsumed][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

COUNTIES REPRESENTED.

Names of counties represented by one or more students:

[blocks in formation]

STATES AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES REPRESENTED.

The States and countries represented in the institution during the present year are as follows:

[blocks in formation]

HIFL

Georgia,

Illinois,

Indiana,

Iowa,

Kansas,

Kentucky,

Mississippi,
Missouri,

Montana,
Nebraska,

Nevada,

New Jersey,

New York,

Germany,
Japan,
Mexico,
Ontario,

Philippine Islands, England,
Pennsylvania,
Porto Rico,
South Carolina,
South Dakota,
Tennessee,
Texas,

Virginia,

South America.

-Total, 46

The increase in attendance over the previous year was 150, or 14 per cent. This increase was the more notable in view of the fact that the entrance requirements were administered with more than ordinary rigidity, and that the admission of special and irreg

2-Purdue.

ular students was discouraged to the point that only fifteen were enrolled under this class. Practically the entire enrollment was, therefore, in regular classes taking the prescribed courses.

One feature of the enrollment in Purdue University is not generally understood, viz., that the courses of study are continuous and - few students can be received after the opening of the year, in September. There is no enrollment by terms. At any given time the total attendance is equal to the total enrollment less such individuals as may have been dropped from the rolls.

At the time of preparing this report, November, 1902, the attendance is 1,225, which, in proportion to the record of previous years, means an enrollment of 1,350 for the year 1902-3. This is an increase of 80 per cent. in four years.

[blocks in formation]

In spite of the crowded condition of the University during the past year, its work has been faithfully and cheerfully done by all concerned. The earnest, loyal spirit of the students and the conscientious recognition of duty on the part of instructors have overcome the inconvenience and embarrassment of the situation.

The courses of study are exacting both as regards the hours of attendance and the standard required from the student. This follows from the necessity of covering in the four years' technical and scientific course a large amount of ground, and also from the requirement that the subjects be thoroughly mastered. The average student finds his time and energy consumed in meeting the schedule of hours of recitation and practice, and in preparation for the same. This is true of every technological school, and especially so at Purdue under present conditions. It is gratifying to be able to say that our students have never satisfied these requirements so generally as during the past year. I deem this worthy of special comment in this place.

As the number of students increases the necessity of providing for their social and moral life becomes emphasized. The need of healthful recreation for young people calls for no argument, and it is only necessary here to add that this need is marked in an institution which makes so large demands of work upon its students. Athletics, physical culture, and military drill all contribute to some extent to satisfy the need of physical exercise, but do not necessarily include all students in their benefits.

The social instincts of the student are capable of development in two directions to his benefit or to his harm. Present conditions at Purdue compel the students to seek living quarters in private boarding houses, which necessarily offer little opportunity for the most desirable social intercourse. The churches, the University Y. M. C. A., and in individual cases, the homes of LaFayette wel

« PreviousContinue »