FRESHMAN MILITARY TRAINING

In the past months of the college year freshman drill has been required of all men enrolled in the 1921 class. Under this system the freshmen have gone to drill or lecture three times a week. Their instruction has been under the charge of Capt. Louis Keene of the First Canadian Expeditionary Force and of Lieutenant Pickett.

During the past month, however, a movement was made by the freshmen to change the system of drill, and a petition asking for some form of R.O.T.C. camp was presented to President Hopkins a short while ago.

Military training will remain much as at present, however, inasmuch as President Hopkins has been unable to secure from the government the materials needed for such training. He said in a letter in answer to the first year petition: "The requirements of the Government, in order to secure official recognition of the R.O.T.C. are that it shall be established within the College as a four-year course, three hours a week, and given official recognition as a part of the curriculum. In return the College is supposed to secure instruction furnished by the Government, and to be supplied with rifles and uniforms. It is obviously impossible, however, for the Government to conform to these conditions at the present time."

Training, therefore, will continue much as in the past. The only change in the system will be the abolishing of military work until March 15, after which time the drill will be resumed, but with six hours a week instead of the previous three. This move will enable the freshman to handle his classes and his mid-winter gymnasium work with more ease.