Word: spirited
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Dates: during 1880-1889
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...foundation point of contrast lies, of course, in the difference of the Eastern and Western spirit. This is less evident, I believe, here than at other Western colleges, but it is, nevertheless, potent. There is a democratic spirit prevalent which requires that every body should be allowed a hand in every thing, that nearly all officers should be elected by general voting and as few as possible appointed, that no one should "boss" things too much, for one man is as good as another. This damages the efficiency of many of our organizations and makes politics lively...
...this is closely allied to a conservative and, in many cases, an exclusive spirit. I believe that innovations are more easily brought about at Harvard than they are here. In no place is the system of severely exclusive fraternities more completely in vogue than at the University of Michigan. They are not, as at Yale, mere class affairs, nor, as at Harvard, secret orders, but are institutions of profound importance to the individual in his college career and to the customs of the student community. The great question of the student's first year here is "what fraternity shall...
There are usually campaign committees and a complete machine, including the bosses which the democratic won't-be-bulldozed spirit naturally breeds. Any one who has a penchant for working in practical politics can get a very fair sample of it here, and in that respect the system may be valuable. Its direct influence upon students and the institution I believe to be bad; yet just at present it is unavoidable, springing from the very nature of things...
LATE CONCESSIONS-WHAT?An "Alumnus" of Columbia writes to the N. Y. Evening Post: "The conservative spirit prevailing in the council of Columbia College, of which this latest action is a very good example, apparently looks upon co-education as something radical, and revolutionary, and untried in fact as a positive danger to society and morality. The examples of Cornell, Oberlin, Michigan University, and the late concessions at Harvard, are not even alluded to, although the evidence in favor of co-education from these institutions is overwhelming...
...amateur athletics is much to be regretted. Harvard and Yale squabble for weeks over points of detail in regard to their annual race, and the impression produced upon the public is that each is trying its best to outwit and get the best of the other. Is this the spirit of generous emulation which should characterize gentlemen who engage in athletic sports? College base-ball clubs have been handled by professional trainers, and have obtained their practice by playing professional clubs - something happily put an end to at Harvard...