THE : HESPERIAN
The Preparatory Scliool.
During a pariod covering a quarter o f a
century the university of Nebraska has carried
a two years preparatory course admitting stu
dents from the 8th grade and country schools.
Last June these two years were dropped.
This was in accordance with a plan formulated
several years ago. As soon as these courses
were discontinued by the state, a new educa
tional problem had to be solved. How were
students entering deficient and "conditioned"
to be cared for? Many students now at the
University have a deep and feeling apprecia
tion of the dfficulties of making up work un
der the haphazard systemless way tliat has
existed heretofore. Instructors also have had
experiences that were not delectable. So
when the organization of the Preparatory
School to the State University was announced
last spring, all hailed it and said it was the
right thing. They thought it the right thing
because they saw that it would be a great ad
vantage to both University and students to
liave all work for which the state was no
longer responsible put under a proper organi
zation at the lowest possible expense with the
full responsibility to all concerned that at
taches to a school of such nature. This is
history repeating itself right here at home.
Hardly a great university in America that
docs not have one to a dozen or more private
preparatory schools near it and doing it ines
timable service. This is just what the pre
paratory school is doing. It serves the
university by furnishing it students equipped
for the higher work after its own fashion. It
serves the deficient or conditioned student by
giving this equipment under the best insti ac
tors that can be had from the University at
an expense that comes the next door to free
tuition. It was thought by its friends when
the school last spring ann.mn 'i its rates that
they were too low. But this fall it makes a
still lower rate and is prepared to serve new
students needing to make up work at a rate
that can be offered only by an organized
scliool and then by the most careful and
thorough organization and management.
Should University students support a school
of this sort? It is not necessary to ask, for
students know what is to their own advantage
and those who don't know, in this case, can
easily find out by stepping over to the office
of the school in the University School of Mu
sic building. At any rate, it might be a good
thing for students to look the school up and
see what it is doing or what it can do for them
or for their friends who may want to prepare
for the University.
J. F. Boomer, who was compelled to leave
the Uni last year, has returned to finish his
college education.
Homer House and I. W. Kenagy spent a
portion of the summer travelling with the
AVesleyan Quartette.
The Palladians, those who were in the city,
picnicked Aug. 27. No one present tails to
report a splendid time.
Oliver Reedy did work in Summer School,
attended weddings and took a good rest s'o
that he would be able to meet all the trains
this wek.
Mr. Joe Reed, who was in the Uni. last
year, has been elected principal of a ward
school in Beatrice. Mrs. Reed will continue
her Uni. work.
Mr. R. C. Roper spent the first few weeks
of his vacation with his parents at Parker,
So. Dak. The rest of his vacation was whil
ed away in Lincoln.
Germain Towl met with a painful accident
.this summer. While attending the dynamoes
at the Omaha Packing Co. 'b he stepped into
a vat of hot water, scalding his foot and ankle.
W. B. Hunter, '97, may not return to en
ter the college of Law as ho had expected.
It is reported that he will teach a school
somewhere in Dakota probably at an Indian
Agency,
Prof. R. B. Owens has been appointed com
missioner of the electrical section of the Trans
Mississippi Exposition. He has full charge
of organizing and superintending the electri
cal department of the great exposition.
The library building of the Iowa -tate uni
versity was destroyed by lightning thiH sum
mer. The loss was 8100,000. Of this; $50,
000 was in books, $17,000 in apparatus and
$33,000 in the building. No insurance.