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University Extension

University Extension image
Parent Issue
Day
30
Month
October
Year
1891
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

The following are éxtracts from the rbmarks of President Angelí and Professor D'Ooge before the Conffregational Club in Detroit: The term "University Extensión" said President Angelí, is used rather loosely, and lie thought it not altorether a happy manner of expressing what it really means. It has been applied widely in various places as describing any scheme for the advancement of learning, even so far as to the cases of additions to the families of members of the university faculty. There are three or four cautions which should be considëred in projecting university extensión. "So far as college men are called 'upon," said the President, "we should consider the analogy between the English and American college roen. The English fellow, who has nothing else to do but study, with vast libraries at his command, and whose whole time is for the advancement of his own learning, can amply spare the time to impart his knowledge to others. In America, the college professor has dutics which cali for his whole time and are not too well paid. The American public should not expect too much from American professors, for their duties make such demands upon them that they have little strength or leisure to devote to outside lectures. The same thing may be justly applied to the ministers. "Another word of caution is that the students of university extensión should becautioned not to expect more than they will receive. Many will doubtless anticipate that this kind of instruction can take the place of a thorough college education. This should not be. The lectures will stimulate the desiré for learning and will also instruct, but their advantage is not that afforded by a course at a university. Dr. Angelí said finally that he had .no doubt that the great discussion which is going on might result in some wise organization. The igan University has not yet made .any promises, he stated, because it is too important a question to be solved hastily. , The subject is being investigated, and if additional assistance be assured to carry out the plan the university may lend its influence. Prof. M. L. D'Oogefollowedwith a more detailed statement of the subject than Dr. Angelí gave. The movement began in England, he said, in what was known as local examinations given for the purpose of stimulating the character of sec¦ondary schools. Out of this grew the practice of university professors visiting the lower schools for the purpose of increasing their advantages. Formerly the colleges of England were aristocratie institutions, affording opportunities but for the rich and noble. In 1850 a movement was made to popularize higher education in England, but had been preceded by a similar move in this country. This popular idea has developed in England until last year ,400 courses of lectures were given under the auspices of English and Scotch universities. These courses were given by sixty-eight regular lecturers, and were patronized by 40,187 students. The aggregate cost per student per lecture was one shilling. This is what is known as university extensión, and Prof. D'Ooge thought it has grown out of the American summer school system or the Chautauqua literary circle. As an example of how popular the movemant is, Prof. D'Ooge said that last year in England diplomas were granted to a schoolmistress, a young lawer, a railroad switchman and a plumber in one class. University extensión there, is made more popular by an offer being made to a student, to be chosen by his ties, to an Oxford fellowship,