Letter from Joseph
Caldwell to the Board of Trustees, December 24, 1834
Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Board,
Another year having elapsed in the business of the University, a
report is herewith transmitted for the information of the Board of Trustees
respecting the classes in the institution, and their progress in the prosecution
of their studies, as it has been ascertained at the last examination.
At a meeting of the Board held at the University in
June last, the Faculty were directed to make out such a plan of business for the
professors and tutors, as to them should appear most expedient for giving
efficacy to the instruction and government of the institution. To do this most
satisfactorily and with the greatest practical information upon the subject, a
correspondence was opened with other colleges through the states, that we might
obtain knowledge of their modes of business. Some letters have been received on
the subjects of inquiry, but the answers have chiefly consisted of printed
catalogues containing accounts of the Trustees, Faculties, Students, and Systems
of Education in the different colleges. The numbers of these sent to us fall
short of the colleges of the country; but the principal institutions have
forwarded them, and they will probably be found to contain most of the
information necessary to an enlightened estimate and correct comparison of
business as conducted in our own and other literary institutions. When these
pamphlets and papers are consulted and collated, it
will be seen what is the quantity of instruction given to the classes, and
number of professors and tutors provided for its communication. The practice at
present received and established implies that the system in our own university
is not overstocked with professors and tutors. With respect to the relative
value of instruction by professors and tutors, there can be no doubt that
professors of long standing must in general be most effectual. Yet it appears
that instruction by tutors in addition to professors is almost universally
employed in the colleges and universities of our own country, if not in Europe. It is probably
consequent upon the necessity of having a part of the members of the Faculty to
live within the walls of the college, for the maintenance of order, and for the
economy of employing them simultaneously to assist as ushers in instruction.
High qualifications in a tutor will probably be but, if not amply secured upon
the whole, by the method already adopted by the Board, that is by elevating the
salaries of the tutorships.
It is not known here, whether the tutorships have been yet filled by the Committee of Appointment. It is suggested to be
of consequence that this should be done as early as may be, that the provision
may be ascertained for the future government and instruction of the university.
It is deemed by the Faculty to become an interest of the greatest importance to
the university that some system of
regulation should be adopted expecting the payment of board by the students. It
has grown into a universal complaint with those who take boarders, that the
funds put into the hands of the youth to defray the expenses of living are apt
to be retained for other purposes. The consequence is a failure to appropriate
these funds in the proper direction. It is easy to realize that a custom thus
established in common opinion and practice among the students, is attended with
most deleterious and demoralizing effects upon the principles and habits of the
youth. The force of temptation in such circumstances is likely to become too
strong to be resisted, and a fashion of squandering money to become prevalent,
until the student is entangled in debt for his essential expenses. Should the
Board think proper to adopt any measures upon this subject, it is
obviously important that they should be known as soon as possible that parents
and guardians may provide for a compliance with them, by the beginning of the
ensuing session.
I am Gentlemen,
Your very obedient &
very humble
servant
Jos.
Caldwell
Chapel Hill
December 24, 1834