its position as a scientific school of the front rank and as the leading representative in the world of a characteristic form of combined liberal and professional education.

As to the requirements of a new site, it is obvious that the site should be of sufficient area to make provision for the probable advancement in the next generation. It is difficult to see even so far into the future as to say definitely what this area should be. Having regard, however, to what is deemed necessary elsewhere, it would seem that twentyfive acres is a minimum. Then the location should be worthy of the dignity of a great educational institution, whose work should be recognized as of the very highest importance to the welfare of the state. The site should be such that students' houses or dormitories could be erected near at hand. Especially at an institution like this, which draws such a large number of its students from a great distance, there must always be a great many who cannot live at home. Whatever may be the difficulties in the successful management of students' houses, there can, I think, be no doubt that they are infinitely to be preferred to the cheap lodging houses to which the circumstances of so many of our students force them to resort. Living in such houses is not only bad for the health, but it deprives the student of the social advantages which he ought to reap by being a member of a community so cosmopolitan in its character as is the Institute of Technology. Another requirement of the new site is that it should be as accessible as possible from the various railroad stations in Boston, so as to enable those who want to live at home to do so. There are already a large number of these coming to the Institute from all directions around Boston. It would, I think, be extremely unwise to completely change the character of the Institute by forcing all its students into dormitories. Lastly, the site should be as near as possible to the center of Boston, so that close contact might still be maintained with the various professional, industrial, and business activities of the city.

But

A special committee has been engaged during the year in considering the relative advantages and disadvantages of a large number of sites. Many of these are eliminated by consideration of the requirements that have been indicated above. But there are three or four left that would satisfy most of our needs. The problem of final selection will doubtless be affected largely by the consideration of the cost. The financial burden of a change is a heavy one; for the total sum required to rebuild, re-equip, and make growth possible by increased endowment involves millions. The Institute is national in its scope and in its services, and so may reasonably look for help in many quarters. its chief reliance must probably be on Massachusetts; and the citizens of Massachusetts who are interested in education have many calls on their generosity. It may be said that it is to their alumni that most American institutions look for their chief support; but the alumni of the Institute do not, as yet, form a large or a wealthy body. Most of them are men who have had to make their own way in the world, and this is a process in which time is a very important factor. It is a striking proof of the rapid development of the Institute within recent years that half of its graduates have received their degrees within the last ten years. These men are enthusiastically loyal, and will doubtless help us largely in the time to come; but we cannot reasonably expect very much from them as yet.

I mention all these discouraging features of our situation, not from any feeling of pessimism as to the future; indeed, nothing could be further from the fact. I realize that most of the Institute's difficulties are due to its success and not to its failure, and I believe that a splendid future is assured to it, if, at this critical stage of its history, it does not falter through lack of courage. It seems to me that when the opportunity arises it should sell that part of its property which is unrestricted,—that is, all except the Boylston Street property, and with the proceeds secure a new site. It should

then throw upon the public the burden of completing the` purchase money of this site, if any complement be required, and of putting up new buildings and improved equipment. The Boylston Street property could be retained for carrying on that part of the work that can with the least inconvenience be separated from the rest until the time comes when restrictions upon its use can be removed at a reasonable cost. Such a policy involves some risks; but these are almost as inevitable to a progressive educational institution as to a progressive business. The question whether the risk is one that can reasonably be taken is, of course, a question for the individual judgment. My own opinion is that the risk is not great, provided only we have the active co-operation of all those interested in the Institute. It is scarcely necessary to add that the question of the future location of the Institute is one that should be settled as promptly as possible. It has been before your Corporation for many years. If it were settled, the Institute could devote all its energy to the really great work of developing its educational resources; for, of course, its primary and fundamental problems are, and must always remain, educational.

CO-OPERATION WITH NEIGHBORING INSTITUTIONS.

Of the larger questions of future policy not already touched upon in this report, probably the most important is the question, how far can we profitably co-operate with other educational institutions in our neighborhood? Waste of effort is regrettable anywhere; in educational institutions. it is more than regrettable,—it is a deliberate sin against the light. Every educated man must know that the record of progress is largely the history of the elimination of waste; and every institution of learning has the duty imposed upon it of avoiding waste wherever possible. In our own field of technological education it does not require any remarkable powers of prevision to foresee that the burden of keeping

up to the growing needs of the day will become heavier in each department. Then as science advances more and more and gradually invades new territories, as inevitably it must, the field of activity of a school of applied science will be greatly extended. Thus an institute of technology will have to cultivate a wider area and cultivate it more intensely than in the past. All this will make the task of conserving all its powers as much as possible, a still more imperative duty. The practical questions are, have we now reached the stage when coöperation is expedient, and, if so, how can this coöperation be most effectively undertaken? After a preliminary survey, the only question in my mind is as to the best means of coöperation. This is a problem of some difficulty and delicacy and one that cannot be solved satisfactorily without care and patience. At present I can only say that I shall give it my earnest attention in the immediate future.

RICHARD C. MACLAURIN.

Reports of Administrative Officers.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE FACULTY.

The reports from the various departments of the Institute will be found to contain information in regard to the following matters which have received Faculty attention and approval during the past school year: changes in the schedule of studies of Courses III. (Mining Engineering and Metallurgy) and IV. (Architecture), in each omitting foreign language study above the first year, also a revision of the schedule of studies in Course XI. (Sanitary Engineering); the forming of a distinct Course in Electrochemistry, numbered XIV., formerly option 3 of the Course in Physics; the withdrawal of the undergraduate Course in Landscape Architecture; and the authorization of student conferences relating to the subject of Physics in the second year.

The School of Engineering Research as a distinct feature of the Institute has been discontinued, and all matters relating to its courses of study and candidates for the degree of Doctor of Engineering are now referred to the Committee on Advanced Degrees and Fellowships.

The students' records have been, as usual, carefully considered, those of the first and second year students six times during the year, and those of the third and fourth years twice. Standing committees of the Faculty review the records of students of the second and third years and report to the Faculty. On recommendation of these committees those whose records are low are referred for advice to the Dean or to some other member of the Faculty. The policy of the past years has been continued, advising or requiring withdrawal in the case of those who remain in low standing,