1890-92 - University Archives and Records Center - University of ...

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houses, the cruel exposure to various temptations which this
involves, the need of humanizing, refining and moral, not less
than of religious, influences during this critical period of their
lives—all these plead for such a home centre in the University
life as is represented in many colleges by their handsome and
well-equipped Young Men's Christian Association Halls. The
acceptance of the general plan of these does not necessarily
involve either the name or the" limitations of that association.
In fact, it would seem wiser and more consonant with our traditions
to avoid both, and, in accordance with the report of your
committee on that subject, to aim at the construction and equipment
of a building which would- afford rooms for all religious
organizations among the students, rooms for reading, recitation
and social intercourse, everything, in fact, that would tend to
make up for absence from a refined home, and to allure from
haunts of vice and dissipation. The students began a subscription
for such a building, which immediately received large
accessions from those whose heartfelt interest in their best welfare
gladly sought this expression ; the details of the jlan are now
under serious consideration, and I confidently hope that the next
report will announce the completion and use of a building which
will represent in the fullest manner the University's idea of what
the life of her sons should be.
Closely connected with this subject is that still unsettled one
of dormitories. For one reason and another no progress has
been made beyond the approval of a general plan of a building
and the arrangement of its apartments. But the demand for
such -an accommodation for our students is steadily growing, and
more and more is endorsed by members of the Faculties and
9thers who are most intimately in contact with them, and best
acquainted with their needs. Much that I have said in regard to
a students' hall applies also to a dormitory, but in addition to
that there is the serious argument of the dangers to health to
which our students are too often'exposed in the boarding houses
which they are forced to inhabit. There is no more healthful
situation than that occupied by the University and the properties
adjacent to it. But, unfortunately, many of the residences in its