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Show SECOND SEMESTER Third Term. Virgil (Latin). Homer (Greek). General History. Fourth Term. Virgil (Latin). Homer (Latin). United States History. In 1880, John Taylor, who was the Territorial superintendent of schools, reported in these words: "I am gratified to report that the University of Deseret is still in a properous condition. "This institution is doing a good and necessary work, and I am led to recognize it as forming an important factor in our general educational plan. "Many of our young people of both sexes demand instruction in branches that cannot consistently, nor with economy, be incorporated in any course adapted to the most popular needs, as provided for in our district schools. Yet, while our district school law restricts, for every proper reasons, the advantages of its provisions to those below sixteen years of age, it is not for a moment to be considered that those above that age need no education. In fact, to many, the period from sixteen to twenty, or twenty-five years of age, is the most propitious, the most profitable, and to not a few, perhaps the only time for adequate school instruction; and should we have no schools for them, they must remain forever ignorant, or go elsewhere for that knowledge which would be forbidden them at home. "The successful patronage of the University points to it as a popular necessity, and indicates that the instruction imparted there is founded in the common sense, practical ideas of the people. "We cannot, therefore, afford to be without such a school for advanced instruction, and I trust this necessity will be so apparent to your honorable body, as to give to this institution a material recognition. "The Normal department of the University deserves special consideration. "While we are providing liberally for the better establishment and maintenance of our district schools, it must be apparent that all this labor and expense are worse than useless without we have efficient instructors. "Poor schools are worse than no schools, since the education here considered is simply a matter of the development and training of our children right or wrong; and with ignorant and incompetent teachers in charge of our schools, there can be no question as to the evil tendency of their influence. "The demand for better qualified teachers is increasing over the Territory, as the people grow to a higher appreciation of the value of sound learning. "I am pleased to note that the patronage of this school is daily increasing." In 1892 a new charter was granted to the University by the Legislature, and the name of UNIVERSITY OF DESERET was changed to UNIVERSITY OF UTAH. The University took new life. Students came from all over the Terriory as well as surrounding states and territories. In April, 1894, the Salt Lake Literary and Scientific Association, an educational organization of Utah, endowed the chair of Geology to the amount of $60,000, this fund to be kept intact and the proceeds to be used for the support of the chair named. The chair has the name of DESERET PROFESSORSHIP OF GEOLOGY. In 1894, through the instrumentality of T3on. Joseph L. Rawlins, delegate to Congress from Utah, the University received the grant of six acres from the Fort Douglas Reservation. Thirty-two acres more were given in 1894. In 1899, the State Legislature provided for the moving of the University to the new site. An appropriation of $200,000 was made, and the work of construction of the new buildings began. The buildings were completed in October, 1900, and the old buildings in the western part of the city were abandoned, and the University was moved to the present site on the bench east of the city, a place picked out for it in 1850. In 1911, the Administration building was begun, and was finally completed in 1913. It is one of the beautiful buildings of the state, and is veritably a "temple of Learning on the Hill." EDITOR'S NOTE-Although in former Utonians the development of the University has been outlined, never before have the original documents been used, of which Professor Young availed himself for this article. For the article itself and most of the illustrations, we wish here to acknowledge the kindness of Professor Young. Page Thirty-six |
