1918 Summer Term Report
The following correspondence from C.W. Wilson to Robert H. Wright, September 24, 1918, summarizes the 1918 Summer Term. This and other correspondence may be found in the records of the Chancellor's Office, Record Group CH1050, Series 3, Administrative File, in the University Archives.
Report of 1918 Summer Term, to Robt. H. Wright, President.
Dear Sir:
The 1918 Summer Term opened on June 11.Registration was finished and work began promptly as in the past.We registered 277 students: all women. This is smaller than the average summer registration on account of the World War and the unsettled educational conditions, but this registration made it possible to get the very best type of work. The school was not demoralized by the town boarding students, the class rooms were not overcrowded, the schedules of the faculty were light, and the students registered were mostly permanent, therefore the class work and the general results were most satisfactory.The attendance was remarkable. Only 58 students, not counting those attending the teacher’s institutes, withdrew for any cause before the close of the session and a large majority of those who did withdraw were called away on account of an illness at home or some member of the family leaving for war service.
177 remained throughout the entire term and took the examinations for school credits. Never before has so large a percentage of the enrollment remained through the whole term of 8 weeks.
Practically all the students registered for work inn one of the “F” or “C” courses. 68 students took the C or First Year Professional work.In 1915, thirty-two were registered in this work. It is quite gratifying to note the rapid growth along this line.
All the work was modified by the war conditions that prevail and each subject was very successfully presented in the light of the new world conditions and problems. In Home Economics, special stress was placed upon the available wheat and meat substitutes and how to prepare them for the family table, and upon canning and preserving fruits and vegetables. A special course of instruction was given to enable the teachers to present to their schools and communities the Red Cross and Y.M.C.A. work, War Savings and Thrift stamps, Liberty Loans, Food Production and conservation, and any other phase of war work and patriotic service in which the school and community should participate.
Several public addresses were given and the keynote in all of them was patriotism, war work and conservation.
A special course in the Palmer System of writing was given in response to a demand coming from quite a number of students.A class of about 35 took this course with satisfactory results.
At the request of the State Board of Examiners and institute Conductors the school gave four Teacher’s institutes of two weeks each.Forty-two teachers attended these Institutes; 7 in the first, 13 in the second, 8 in the third and 14 in the fourth. The light schedule of the faculty made it possible to give a special course of maximum value to the institute groups and altogether the work of the Institutes was very satisfactory and did not prove to be a menace to the general work of the school.
Miss Sophia Ann Cooper completed the work of the Regular Professional Course during the Summer Term and was awarded the schools diploma and the Bible on August 3.
Misses Amy Arthur, Maude Basden, Jimmie Clark, Julia B. Cobb, Millie Everett, Neva Harper, and Alma Vickers (7 in all) completed the work of the One Year Course for Rural School Teachers and by unanimous vote of the faculty were granted the school’s certificate.Seven students, namely, Misses Amy Arthur, Flonnie May Atkins, Beatrice Ensley, Mary Foxwell, Viola Gradless, Nannie Spencer and Myrtle Tucker won the Government Certificate in Cooking.
By courtesy of the State Board of Examiners and Institute Conductors in preparing a special set of examination questions this school held the State Examinations for the State Board on the last tow days on the term instead of a week or ten days before the close as has been done here-to-fore. This avoided a break in the regular work of the classes at a most important stage of the work and is infinitely better for the work of the school, and acknowledgement and expression of appreciation is hereby tendered the State Board of Examiners and Institute conductors for their consideration and courtesies.
Ninety-two children, not counted elsewhere, were taught by four teachers in the High School Building during six weeks of the Summer Term. Sixty observations were scheduled for the various classes in methods and both faculty and students fully appreciated the practical vale of this phase of the summer work.
The finest professional and patriotic spirit characterized every phase of the work, and viewed from every angle, the 1918 Summer Term is the most satisfactory session yet held under the present management.
C.W. Wilson, Director.
