Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 1884)
J HESPERIAN STUDENT UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA. Vol. XII. LINCOLN, NEB.JE'HRUARY ! i, i88$T No. VIII. Our attention was called to an editorial published in Vol. 4, No. i, of the Student, advocating a Uni versity Printing Oflice as part of the industrial de partment of the University, and we give to our read ers nearly the whole article as it originally appeared. "A department in which students could learn the art of practical printing, we believe, could now be established in the University, with very little expense compared with the great benefit which would result therefrom. As most of our readers are aware, we already have a student's printing and publishing association in the University, under whose control the Hesperian Student is published. The benefits already realiz ed by a number of the students, from actual experi ence in our small office, have not been trivial. All the typographical work on the Hesperian is done by students. There are now at least twelve students in the Uni versity who understand something of type-setting; as many more would be glad of an opportunity to learn, especially, if by so doing, they could earn something to assist them through their college course. But we have no press, and but a limited amount of material, even for our present requirements. We have long felt that a printing office, provided with good presses and ample appliances, could be established in the University on sufficiently large a scale to allow all the printing of the Institntion, in cluding catalogues, circulars, letter heads, addresses, the Hesperian, etc., to be performed therein, at a great saving to the state; besides conferring many benefits, as an industrial school. We were much gratified to learn recently that Prof. 9. R. Thompson had already partially matured a plan for carrying in to effect a project of this character. In response to his request, we have made a careful estimate of the material and expense necessary to establish a print ing office on the following plan: A room will be fit ted and furnished in the basement; type and fixtures procured sufficient to keep ten typos constantly em ployed, with the design of furnishing employment from the first to twenty students, working by relays, each student laboring a certain number of hours each day; a good power press also to be procured; the work performed to comprise all the Uuiversity print ing, including the Student, and in all probability, a large journal connected with the Agricultural de partment, published semi monthly; in addition "job work" could be done. The approximate cost of the whole establishment would be about $2100., includ ing a $1250. power press. It seems to us almost unnecessary to advocate an enterprise which on its face promises so much. It would be economical for the state. We now have one industrial department connected with the Uni versity the Agricultural College. It is doing a good work; but many thousand dollars were expend ed in its establishment. Four students are now en joying the advantages afforded by it, receiving for their labor nearly sufficient compensation to meet all expenses of board and incidentals. In this new enterprise only a comparatively small sum need be expended, while many more would re ceive the benefits. At least fifteen students from the commencement would willingly accept employment. There is no more instructive art than the printer's; certainly none more useful and necessary. As a means of mental discipline it is invaluable. No bet ter school could be devised for a person entering up on a literary life than a two year's drill in a well con ducted printing office. Here punctuation, orthogra phy, taste in style ofcomposition, would be acquired. To be an expert proof-reader or type-setter would be a valuable possession to a literary man. The value of this art as a life profession places it among the most lucrative and desirable industries. There would be another source of practical benefit in the enterprise. An establishment of this kind must be carried on systematically. Everything must be done in a business-like, methodical manner. In fact, an opportunity would be afforded of learning the practical management of a printing establishment in all its minutiae. There could be no better means of acquiring a business education. We believe, from actual knowledge, that a print ing office such as we have described, could be con trolled and managed within the University itself, without employing professional aid, within less than three months from its organization. It would not only be a great advantage to many students practi cally, but it would attract students to the school, and be another upward-step in raising our University to the first rank.