1st Annual Report of President Robert Wright, 1910

First annual report submitted to the Board of Trustees in December 1910 by President Robert H. Wright. This report and others may be found in the records of Board of Trustees, Record Group CH1000, Series 1, Meeting Minutes File, 1908-present, in the University Archives.

Citation for this particular report is: Board of Trustees Meeting, December 1910, ECU University Archives, Record Group CH1000, Series 1, Box 1, Folder 1.

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December 20, 1910.

To the Board of Trustees,

East Carolina Teachers’ Training School.

Gentlemen:

At your meeting held June 11, 1909, I was chosen President of this school.My work in Baltimore was of such a nature that it was impossible for me to begin with you before July 1, 1909.

When I came to you I found six buildings practically completed and the equipment for all but the Administration Building & Refect had been ordered. Since my connection with the school you have purchased enough equipment for the school to do good work. It has been my purpose to recommend that you purchase the kind of equipment that will be both serviceable in this school, and also of a type that our students may recommend to their several school committeemen when they become teachers.

On October 5, 1909 the school for the first time opened its doors for students. During this year 1909-1910, the following teachers were employed and engaged in the work indicated after the name of each:

Claude W. Wilson, Pedagogy
W.H. Ragsdale, School Management
Mamie E. Jenkins, English
Herbert E. Austin, Science
Maria D. Graham, Mathematics
Sallie J. Davis, History
Birdie McKinney, Latin
Kate W. Lewis, Drawing
Jennie M. Ogden, Household Economics
Fannie M. Bishop, Public School Music and Voice
Fannie M. Bishop, Piano
Annie Lee Davis, Music

Officers:

Robt. H, Wright, President
Claude W. Wilson, Bursar
Mrs. Kate R. Beckwith, Lady Principal
Chas. O’H. Laughinghouse, Physician
Emma R. Jones, Stenographer

For the Summer Term, May 24th to July 30th, 1910

Claude W. Wilson, Pedagogy
Herbert E. Austin, Science
Leon R. Meadows, English
Edgar W, Knight, History
Maria D. Graham, Mathematics
Mary Arrington, Primary Methods
Kate W. Lewis, Drawing
Jennie M. Ogden, Household Economics
Fannie M. Bishop, Piano
May R.B. Muffly, Public School Music
W.H. Ragsdale, School Management

Officers:

Robt. H, Wright, President
Claude W. Wilson, Pedagogy
Mrs. Kate R. Beckwith, Lady Principal
Mittie R. Beamen, Superintendent of Infirmary
Emma R. Jones, Stenographer


For the School Year 1910-1911-

Claude W. Wilson, Pedagogy
W. H. Ragsdale, School Management
Leon R. Meadows, English
Mamie E. Jenkins, English
Herbert E. Austin, Science
Maria D. Graham, Mathematics
Sallie J. Davis, History
Birdie McKinney, Latin
Orpah Dabney, primary Methods
Kate W. Lewis, Drawing
Elizabeth Pugh, Household Economics
May R. B. Muffly, Public School Music and Voice
Fannie M. Bishop, Piano

Officers:

Robt. H, Wright, President
Claude W. Wilson, Pedagogy
Mrs. Kate R. Beckwith, Lady Principal
Chas. O’H. Laughinghouse, Physician
Mittie R. Beamen, Superintendent of Infirmary
Emma R. Jones, Stenographer
Ola S. Ross, Clerk

During the school year 1909-1910, one hundred forty two students were enrolled in the regular course . . . At your meeting November 13, 1909, you authorized the school to offer a short course for teachers. As a result of this action the school opened its doors March 15th to teachers. This term of school was divided into two sessions of ten weeks each. For the first term, March 15th to May 20th , thirty-two students were enrolled. For the second term, May 24th to July 30th three hundred thirty students were enrolled.The total enrollment for the entire school year, October 5, 1909 to July 30th, 1910, was five hundred four students. Of these forty-two are counted twice, making a total enrollment of four hundred sixty-two persons who took instruction in this school. For the school year beginning September 13, 1910, we have to date one hundred eighty seven students, thus making a total enrollment since the school first began, of six hundred ninety-one students.

I have made the most accurate estimate I can of the cost to the State, per capita for the students who have taken instruction in this school and my estimate is, it has cost the State for each school year of nine months $74.876 per student.

The total enrollment of this school could have been made much larger had we not advised many young men and women to seek instruction in some other institution since they did not wish to become teachers. We have taken this position at this stage of the growth of this school that the people of our State may form a correct idea of the aims and purposes of this school, and that they may realize that this is a professional school established by our State for the sole purpose of training teachers.

The Courses of instruction offered in this school are found embodied in my report to you June 22, 1910. Also in our first annual Catalog. From these courses of instruction it is apparent that the school is fulfilling the requirements of the Law which established it.

In the part of my report to follow it is my purpose to give you in outline what it will take to equip this educational plant for the highest type of work. Then, will follow my recommendations.

Library:

It will not be many years before we will need a building for the library. This, however, is already your plans. If my plans, as outlined under the caption Administration Building are put into operation, the Library Building need not be erected for about four years. The School has not been provided with reference books of any kind. A simple statement of conditions in this case, I am sure, is all that is necessary; for we all recognize the necessity for a collection of books for reference and collateral reading.

Practice School:

Educators throughout our country are unanimous in the opinion that a training school should have provision made for the students to observe work of the grade they are preparing to do. Also, that they while students in the training school should be required to do some teaching under the immediate supervision of a Practice Teacher. To get this opportunity for our students it will be necessary for this School to erect a Practice School.

Administration Building:

To make adequate provision for the work in Science, including the work in Home Economics and Manual Training, to provide additional class rooms - these will be needed next year if the school continues to grow, - to make a temporary home for the Library, to make provision for society rooms, and to provide a home for the Department of Music - this is now an urgent necessity; this building should be so extended as to make it a hollow square around what is now the Auditorium.

President’s Residence:

At present the head of the school has not only the duties incumbent upon him from the position, but he has charge of one of the dormitories. I do not think it best for the school for this condition to continue; therefore, a home for the President should be erected.

Gymnasium:

It is universally recognized by educators that a well equipped Gymnasium is a necessity. In a climate such as we have, in my judgement a semi-open-air Gymnasium will be best. As an exercise , swimming has few superiors. It is also well for every young man and very young woman to know how to swim it would be well therefore, for the Gymnasium to contain a swimming pool.

Home for teachers:

In our environment we find it practically impossible for the lady teachers to find homes for themselves out of the school. It is, therefore, for the best interest of the school to erect such a building. In this connection let me say it will for the best interest of the school to erect a few buildings for the members for the faculty who have families . . . Greenville has done all for the school that State could ask and yet we are confronted with the fact that some members of our faculty cannot rent comfortable homes within reach of the school if he does not have at least a comfortable home.

Dormitories:

Last summer the dormitory space was all taken and many students were forced to find boarding places - at additional cost - in the town. At present the school can accommodate only a few more students. It will be two more years before the school will have its normal size. This means we don’t have enough dormitory space. Two wings should be added to the Boy’s Dormitory. Cork linoleum should be placed on the corridor floors and rubber treads placed on the stairways in each dormitory.

The rooms in front of the main entrance to the Girl’s Dormitory are so located that they can not be used for living purposes. These rooms should be converted into a suite of parlors.

At present the Lady Principal has to use a dormitory room for an office; another dormitory room for her living room. These serve her purposes very well, but there is no provision for bath for the Lady Principal. This at least, should be provided.

Power Plant, Laundry, and Refectory:

Since we have to purchase coal in large quantities it is necessary to provide a coal bin. This should be made fireproof.

All of our electric current is generated by one unit. For five days per week the generator is in use twenty-four hours per day. This strain is too great for any machine. An additional unit should be provided. To take up various losses there are several changes and additions that should be made in the piping in the Power Plant.

If you increase the number of Dormitories it will become necessary to enlarge the Laundry.

If the number of dormitories is increased, it will also become necessary to make some changes in the Refectory. The number of students attending this school last summer completely filled the dining room. The room now used for the kitchen should become a part of the dining room, and a kitchen should be erected at the southwest end of the Refectory. The new Kitchen should have terraza floor.

Offices:

Often it is necessary for the President to have a private conference with some teacher, some officer of the school, some parent, some visitor or some student. This at present, is almost impossible since there is no private office for the President. Some provision should be made to meet this need. There is no private room for the Treasurer. Whenever any person wishes to speak to the treasurer on any business whatever, he must come into the room where the money and school accounts are kept. Some provisions should be made to meet this need.

The records of the students, at present, are kept upon cards 4 x 6 inches. Some provisions should be made to meet this need. There are many other matters of smaller importance that should be provided for in connection with the suite of offices. The cost in each part will be small.

Farm for Farm Life Work:

The public school teacher of the near future is going to be required to have a much more definite knowledge of farm life than the demands of the present call for. To meet this need the school should own a farm. On this farm should be erected a modern dairy building and a modern barn and stables.

At present we are doing the best we can to meet this need. The school has leased for three years about seventeen acres of land from E. H. Evans. On this tract of land the land owned by the school has a net profit for year of$60.73. On the land owned by the school there is a net profit of $314.36. (This includes the money made on the hogs). The total profit on the two tracts of land is $375.09. We have kept an accurate account of every cent spent for any purpose connected with this work.

Water Works:

The cost for water at present is so great that it seems to menecessary for the school to build a water plant of its own.

Telephones:

For the exclusive use of the buildings we should establish a system of telephones. This will save the expense of messengers.

Tunnels:

Whenever possible under-ground pipes, wires and cables should be accessible. The plans for this plant make it possible for many of our pipes and cables to be placed into a series of tunnels connecting the following buildings: Power Plant to Refectory, Refectory to Infirmary, Refectory to Administration Building, Administration Building to each of the Dormitories.

Grounds, Walks and Drive Ways:

There is much work yet to be done upon the grounds, walks and Drive Ways. Your Landscaping Engineers have been consulted and they advise that the part of the campus in front of the Girl’s Dormitory be graded so there will be a gradual slope from the Dormitory to Fifth street. This has been approved and ordered done by your Executive Committee. With a reasonable appropriation we can, in a few years have on of the most beautiful school grounds in our State.

Departments of Instruction:

I have asked the teachers in the several departments to submit to me by departments, theirseveral needs for equipment and maintenance. I have gone over these reports with great care and I have reduced each whenever possible. For the teachers in the several departments of instruction to do the work from year to year, they should do, and for the school to establish the departments of instruction it should establish, it will be necessary to spend more money in this direction. In fact, two courses of instruction already authorized by you can not be given. One of them we can not attempt until we have an appropriation for the same. (-i.e. Physics - Home Economics).

Recommendations:

From the foregoing it is at once apparent that the next General Assembly will not appropriate sufficient funds for you to erect all of the buildings and purchase all the equipment the school should have. It seems to me that there is a question of school policy for you to decide upon before you decide upon before you make up your budget for the General Assembly. Let me make my idea clear. If it shall be your purpose for this school to equip those who take instruction here in the very best way possible, then it will become necessary to make large appropriations for the needs of the Departments of Instruction. This will mean fewer teachers but better prepared teachers. If it shall be your purpose for this school to give to the State a type of teacher far superior to the average teacher of to-day, but not the highest possible type, then it will become necessary to make large appropriations for increased accommodations.

It is a question in my mind whether the former or the latter will be best for our people, whether a few highly trained teachers or many well trained teacher will do the greatest service to our State in its present stage of educational development. On the other hand superficiality, a lack of thoroughness, and inefficiency are doing untold damage to-day to the educational interests of our people. On the other hand there is too large a percent of our teachers without any training. Were this institution many times its present size, it would take it and all of the other schools engaged in this grade of work in our State many years to meet the demands of the schools.

With these thoughts I leave it with you to decide for which you shall ask the General Assembly.

Whichever policy you adopt, there are certain things that should be provided. Namely:

Reference Books,
A Practice School,
A Coal Bin,
An Electric Unit,
The changes in the Girl’s Dormitory,
A residence for the President,
Music Rooms,
The Telephones,
Office changes and Fixtures,
A part of the Science Equipment.,
Screens for Infirmary and the Dorms.
A reel of the fire hose with the necessary nozzle

and attachment plug should be purchased as a protection against fire. At present we have no other fire protection than that given by the town of Greenville.

For immediate use in case of emergency there should be placed at convenient points each of the buildings, a chemical fire extinguisher.

I recommend that the salary of Miss Kate W. Lewis the teacher of Drawing, be $522.00. This to date from September 1, 1910.

That a pair of scales, as per the requisition of Dr. Laughinghouse, the Physician, be purchased for use in the Infirmary.

That you authorize the establishment of a short course in School Administration and Supervision especially intended for County Superintendents, City Superintendents and school Principals.

That in case a student wishes to purchase his textbooks instead of paying the book fee that he be allowed to do so.

That this school be given a Charter by next General Assembly.

That the General Assembly be requested to pass a law for the protection of the State’s property and for the protection of the students in all State Schools and Colleges.

That you make some provisions for granting a certificate to those students who shall complete the courses of instruction now offered or that may be offered hereafter by the school.

Maintenance:

The fist item is based upon the amount of money necessary from the State for the first quarter of this School year.

	30000.00
Additional Teachers	5000.00
Summer Term	5000.00
Departments of Instruction	1000.00
Grounds, Walks, etc.	1000.00
Reference Books (for this year)	5000.00
Reference Books (annually after this year)	3000.00
The Reference Books were put at	2500.00 annually
And the Board asked for	45000.00 as an annual appropriation for Maintenance

This school has been open for the reception of students one year and three months. There are already four hundred teachers in the public schools of North Carolina who have taken instruction here. Judging from the many kind words spoken and written the school has been of much service to them in their daily work. I trust the next General Assembly will give us the necessary funds - I do not ask for on cent more than the amount necessary to continue the work - for the normal growth and expansion of the institution. I feel quite sure the General Assembly will make the necessary appropriations for the work to grow, since our work is solely for the elementary public schools of our State.

Respectfully submitted, (signed) Robt. H. Wright

President.

December 20, 1910.

Screens for Dormitories and Infirmary:

To teach health is now universally recognized as one of the functions of the public schools. It is also generally accepted by medical profession that the home should be protected from flies and mosquitoes. The Dormitories and Infirmary, therefore, should have doors and windows screened.