CHAPTER XXI.

THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN.

Historical Sketch.—Although the University of Michigan, as now constituted, derives its origin from a provision in the Constitution of Michigan enacted in 1837, still the beginning of the university idea must be sought in the fantastic Act of 1817 to establish the "Catholepistemiad" or "University of Michigania." By the law of April 30th, 1821, the Catholepistemiad became the University of Michigan with Detroit still as its site. The Act gave into the hands of a new board composed of twenty-one Trustees, including the Governor, the control of the funds in the possession of its predecessor, and entrusted to them also the management of a Congressional land grant made in 1804 for educational purposes, and the disposal of the land derived from the treaty at Fort Meigs in 1817. In 1826, Congress gave to Michigan for a 'Seminary of Learning' two townships of land in lieu of the one given in the Act of 1804.

In 1837, Michigan was admitted into the Union, and the University then was finally established on its present basis as a State Institution. The Government of the University was vested in a Board of Regents to consist of twelve members and a Chancellor, who was ex officio President of the Board; the members were to be appointed by the Governor on the advice and with the consent of the Senate. The Governor, Lieutenant-Governor,

Judges of the Supreme Court, and Chancellor of the State were ex officio members of the Board. The Regents were empowered to regulate the courses of instruction, and to remove any professor or tutor in the best interests of the University. The Regents with the Superintendent of public instruction were authorized to establish branches of the University, and it was incumbent on them to establish in connection with every such branch, an institution for the education of females in the higher branches of knowledge. By an amended Act the Board was authorized to elect a Chancellor not a member of the Board, and to prescribe his duties. The Governor of the State was made ex officio President of the Board, and the Board was allowed to establish branches without obtaining further authority from the Legislature. The University eventually established nine of the prescribed branches throughout the State, but when it was discovered that their establishment hampered the central organization they were in 1849 discontinued.

On March 20th, an Act locating the University at Ann Arbor was approved. In 1838, the Regents, having large expectations from the proceeds of land sales, obtained from the Legislature a loan of $100,000 for building purposes, and in September, 1841, the doors of the University at Ann Arbor were opened to six students. The fortunes of the University until the appointment of its first President in 1852, were precarious in the extreme. The revenues were seriously impaired by a mismanagement of the landed property, and there was much friction in the internal organization, Nearly all the small income received was used in paying interest on the $100,000

indebtedness, and during those years until 1849 the branches were also supported by the University. In the latter years of the decade, the faculty by the efforts to crush out Secret Societies caused the disturbance commonly known as the "Society War." A report, drawn up as early as 1840, strongly urged a transfer of authority from the Legislature to the Regents and a freedom of action for the Faculty in their proper domain. As a result of this feeling, a constitution adopted by the people in 1851, provided that the Regents should be elected from the judicial districts with power to appoint a President of the University and to exercise a general supervision over affairs.

On account of internal friction it was decided to free the hands of the incoming board by dismissing the entire Faculty, which extreme measure was forthwith carried into execution. The University therefore entered upon a fresh era, when in 1852 the new Board of Regents assumed the duties of office. Dr. Henry Tappan was elected President and immediately the prospects brightened. During Dr. Tappan's administration the faculty was materially strengthened, and students in every department increased, But a serious error in the mode of electing the Board of Regents, whereby all passed out of office at the same time, led to numberless complications, resulting finally in the arbitrary dismissal of the President, despite the acknowledged ability and succees of his administration. A new Board, only two of whose members were College graduates, took office in 1858. Shortly before the lapse of their authority in 1863, they summarily dismissed President Tappan, and made many

other changes in the faculty. This injustice bore some good fruit at least, for in 1863 the rotary system of electing the Regents which is still in vogue was established.

In 1866, an Act was passed granting a permanent tax to the University of 1-20 of a mill on the assessed value of property in the State. In 1868, an annuity of $15,000 was granted, thereby establishing the principle of State aid. In 1870, co-education was established, and the Prussian system of admission to the University from effective preparatory schools in Michigan without examination was introduced. In 1883, the same privilege was extended to other States.

Dr. James B. Angell, who is still the President of the University, took office in 1871. His administration has been an unqualified success, and his innovations have invariably resulted in the advantage of the University. New departments of instruction have been established and the old ones strengthened and extended. A free elective system was introduced, which would enable a capable student to complete his course in less than four years, or which would permit such a student to pursue more studies and accomplish more work in the four years of his collegiate career. Special students over twenty-one years of age were admitted to the courses of the University without an entrance examination. The 'University System' was established or in 1882, and ten years earlier seminary methods of study were first introduced.

U

Organization of the University.-The University derives its origin from a provision in the Constitution * of Michigan, the effect of which is to make the Regents of the University a branch of the State Government. The article in the constitution provides for the election of these Regents, authorizes them to elect a President of the University, and gives them supervision of the institution and the direction and control of all expenditures from the University interest fund, which is a fund created by the gift of two townships of land by the Federal Government to the State of Michigan for the endowment of a University.

The Regents, eight in number, are now elected by popular vote, for a term of eight years. Two are elected every second year, and have entire control of the University in every particular.

The professors and other teachers are appointed by the Regents, who have the power of removing them at any time. The younger members of the faculty are generally appointed first for a limited period, one year or three years. Professors are appointed permanently, though sometimes the first appointment is only for a year.

The revenue of the University is derived from three sources :-(a) The endowment, above referred to, by the National Government, which yields about $38,000 annually; (b) By a State tax of one-sixth of a mill on all the taxable property of the State, which yields at present $188,300; (c) Fees from students, which usually yield about $125,000.

*Adopted in 1837.