THAYER SCHOOL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

The thirty-eighth class was graduated April 25-26. This numbered twenty-two, the largest yet,;—all earning the degree of Civil Engineer. At the same time the first-year class of fourteen members went forth for summer work in engineering; and this course being senior work in College, all received the degree of B.S. at Commencement in June,—three with special honors. The total enrollment during the year was thirty-seven; that of the previous year, thirty-six.

During the first twenty years, when the engineering course added two. years to college work (the six-year course), classes varied in numbers from 1 to 8; during the last seventeen years, on the "five-year" basis for the C.E. degree from three to twenty-six. If we average the entire attendance for the whole period we find 8½ as the average membership of the classes for the engineering course of two years. This adjustment between undergraduate and vocational studies was made possible by the expanding liberality of the college curriculum which was promoted under the administration of Doctor Tucker; and is continued with increasing effectiveness under the direction of President Nichols.

The high standard of admission prescribed by General Thayer with rare foresight and insistence, has not been lowered but rather increased; for candidates from the College now have a complete course of mechanical drawing and descriptive geometry extending through five semesters (half years), and a preliminary course of 100 hours in surveying. Also the facilities for preparation in physics and mathematics were never better, and if applicants are deficient in these branches the fault is usually with themselves, as they sometimes admit. In the humanities,—languages, literature, history, economics, etc.,—the college requirements are more exacting than formerly.

Any changes in the curriculum of the School have been made to keep pace with the latter-day surprising and important advances in engineering science and practice. New forms of material, new adaptations, new methods, and more powerful and effective mechanical appliances or tools have greatly increased the rapidity and magnitude of various kinds of construction. But, since no more time is available, and since the mathematical and mechanical principles cannot be essentially changed, or be of less importance in fixing correct theory,—the effect on the program has been chiefly in shifting the emphasis from some fundamental subjects to others of now larger relative value — In general construction, the theory, properties and applications of re-inforced concrete; in hydraulics more systematic laboratory work to elucidate guiding principles; in electro-technics enough theory and laboratory measurements to prepare for the obvious emergencies which will confront the student early in his career; in sanitary science the essential facts of bacteriology and hygiene as applied in purification of water supplies and in sewerage works; in theory of framed structures, the use of "influence lines" as a means of analysis; and in more drill in fundamental mechanics and its applications. As one result of keeping in close touch with the "boys,"not only by correspondence but by visiting them on their "works," their afterthoughts on the bearing of their student work upon their life-work are always suggestive and encouraging. They are unanimous as to the prime value to them of the drill in "surveying,"—field-work and office-work,—and the instruction in applied mechanics.

No changes in the Board of Instruction are expected for the coming year. It would be difficult to find more devoted teachers than Professors Hazen, Holden, and Austin, who are held in the highest respect and esteem by their classes. The first assistant, Mr. Sidney L. Ruggles, who served so acceptably to all concerned last year, will continue on the Board. Mr. H. L. English, of 1909, who has been away two years as draftsman and estimator, will serve as field assistant during July, August, and September, and will complete his course with the class of 1912.

The entering class of about eighteen, and the class of 1912 expected to report in September about twelve strong, made a total attendance nearly 20 per cent less than that of recent years. College, instructors explain this by admitting that an increasingly large proportion have failed to come up to the Thayer School standard in mathematics and physics.

The action of the trustees of the College, assigning Bissell Hall for the use of the Thayer School, and a loan of $15,000, for fireproof reconstruction of the interior, will give convenient and sufficient quarters with about two and one-half times the floor space of the Thayer Building which had become intolerably inadequate. Laboratories for hydraulics, electro-technics, cement testing, and tests of materials, a separate drawing room for each class, a senior room, a more commodious recitation room, ample room for the library and instructors' rooms are some of the features of the new quarters, in improving contrast with the old.

Apparatus and various equipment of an engineering school may be and often is more extensive and expensive than is needed for really effective instruction. But the Thayer School, now as in the past, lacks at some points even the minimum of good tools necessary for the best work. While the interest and substantial aid of the Thayer Society of Engineers, and of one member of the Board of Directors have provided some most necessary equipment for instruction in surveying, hydraulics, and electro-technics, about $3,000 to $4,000 could be judiciously expended for suitable equipment and furnishing of the new quarters.

The administration has never made numbers a gauge of success. While the larger building would accommodate a total attendance of fifty to sixty that would probably be undesirable under existing conditions. The prime need is an increase of the endowment fund to provide sufficient income independent of receipts from students to maintain and retain competent teachers. Indeed, consistent adherence to the policy of the "working minimum," and acceptance of only picked men realizes the ideal of quality before quantity. An addition of $75,000 to the foundation and $25,000 more on account of the building and its maintenance would satify the most pressing needs at this time. Then, with a total attendance not exceeding forty, the past policy and distinctive feature of the School,— close personal contact of student and instructor, and intensive rather than extensive instruction,—could be maintained and the quality of its output command continued recognition.