Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885, December 15, 1885, Page 5, Image 5
THE HESPERIAN. and annoying to the graduating class, they generally consist of a a style of composition detrimental to the writer, in short arc "better honored in the breach than in the observance." This is the standpoint from which some regard Commence ment. Is it not tenable? NONDESCRIPT. Vc hear a great amount of talk about the severity of the college course. Students complain that they do not have time to do outside reading, and so on, aditifinititm. Hut why need we repeat all the complaints of students? For our own present purposes this one is enough. There may be foun dation for the foregoing complaint. We do not doubt that students arc compelled to work' that's what they come to college for. Yet we hold that they complain of a thing -which is their own fault when they complain that they are compelled to neglect something of the highest good for the sake of study. Few students will calmly admit that they pursue their course for the grades they get, yet they virtually make sucn an aumission uy mcir jtmus. t muuchu uiuc a course for the good there is in it, they ivill give jnst that amount of attention to their regular class work which will J pay them ie the highest sense, and not one whit more. If stu. dents were really so independent of anxiety for grades as they pretend to be, we should hear less complaint of a hard course. If students feel that they can profitably neglect a lesson to do some outside reading, they will do it unless they really prize a good grade more than true mental acquirement. We do not inveigh against the examination system and its parapherna lia of grades, cramming and papers; it is a good thing, and probably fills a place which could be filled by nothing eke. But it is a student's own fault if he allows it to master rather than serve him. The opposition to a varied course of study conies from those who carry the specialistic theory to extremes. Somewhere in almost evcrj argument against it will be found the idea that students should be specialists, and cannot therefore afibrd to occupy their time with things outside of a comparatively nar row course. We hold that the question should be argued on other grounds. It is correct to say that men should be spec ialists, for only by so doing can a large measure of success be attained. But if it is necessary to success that one know "everything of something" it is equally necessary for the same end that one know "something of everything". It is this sane feature of exclusiveness that has made a farmer "on. ly a fanner," and has destroyed that sympathy which should exist between all men. It is the function of a broad course, rightfully used, to break down the barriers between trades and professions. The antagonism to such a course is largely formed on the idea that a college education gives all that is to be known on any given subject and thus in another way fosters an intolerable egotism too common in college- gradu ates. On the other hand, one idea is that a college education can do no more than prepare one for further study. One who has pursued a varied course will be able to Tead intelli gently on other subjects besids his own specialty and thus is fitted to obtain a broad culture, while one who has pursued a narrow course of study has neither breadth of culture nor the means of obtaining it. A short time ago the literary societies were somewhat start led by the report that they were to be charged for gas and steam used by them. The latter part of the report has not yet been realized, but the former half has become a reality, a solemn reality. The matter is more of a surprise since the idea had never been broached to the societies, and they have been allowed to grow up in the fond belief that they were an adjunct to University work. So wrapped in their own ego tism had they become that they really supposed they were, if not indispensiblc to the institution, at least worth the cost of gas and warming. Now, fellow students, you should not laugh. This is no'laughing matter. The societies that real ly do literary work arc a legitimate part of the University, they arc so advertised, and it would be no more unjust to charge professors for gas which they use in their rooms than it is to charge the societies for the gas they use. It is hoped that the Regents wdl relieve the societies from this unjust ex pense. The matter will be brought before them at their nex1 meeting. L.ATF.U. A ruling has been made in favor of the societies Full particulars next issue. Our dear fellow students: do you want a college paper? There should be no occasion for this question, and it is hard on our dignity to have to remind you that your support of the Hksperiax is not what it should be. We shall not attempt to give a philosophical dissertation on the whys and wherefores of the situation. If any one wishes such a thing we will keep t on sale at the Hksi'KRIAn office. What we want to say is the same old stock article. Students must support the college paper if there is any. On you the responsibility rests and if you want a college papci put your hands in your pockets and "whack up." It is a strange thing indeed if Nebraska State University cannot or will not support a college paper. WTe believe no college paper will ever succeed here unless it is run by the students, yet if the students fail to support the college paper either it will pass into other hands or die. The board of editors is not particularly anxious as editors, but as students they are solicitous for the prosperity of the paper and being in a position to know something of its condition they tell you these unwholesome truths. CAMPUS CANARDS. "Yes, thank you." Knight should be tried on charge of Witchcraft. A new Bible, revised version, now adrons the chapel pulpit. I Miss Nettie Taylor of Waverly made the Uuiversity a short ! visit recently. Low grades in final examinations seem to be perfectly gen eral this term. The literary societies have elected their" officers and the world once again revolves. The even temperature in all parts of the buildiug is extreme ly agreeable this cold weather. Ask Stephens and Ansley what they found under the car pet in the S. E. corner of their ioom. Problem: If the Juniors held a meeting three months ago, in what century will the next one be held? The meetings held in No. 5 every Wednesday evening have been very interesting and well attended this term. Miss Painter left for 'her home inTexas last Monday. Her many friends in the U. of N. wish her a pleasant journey. Bacon, revised by Clark reads: "Reading maketh a man full." As soon as this becomes known it will be a dreadful blow on the liquor dealers. A portion of the cornice has been placed on the new labor atory. A few more days of pleasant weather would have en abled the workmen to enclose the building. 1