Admissions, the 1909 version

Some months ago, I posted information on how one got admitted to Wofford in 1854.  Today, I've got the catalog information from 1909.  South Carolina had more public schools by then, and schools had started offering credits, or units, in various subjects.  Many colleges in the state began accepting students without examination if they could provide a certificate from a reputable high school that they had taken a certain number of "units" and students then were as concerned about having the correct number of units as students today are about standardized test scores, AP exams, and such other measures.  

Here's the text of the 1909 catalog relative to admissions requirements.  After that, I'm including the glowing language about the healthfulness and intellectual climate of the campus and community.  

Admissions Requirements, 1909-10

Students applying for admission to the Freshman class must furnish satisfactory evidence of their fitness to do the work either by examination or by certificates from approved schools and teachers. All certificates must be specific as to the subjects studied, the amount of work completed, and the time devoted to it.

In estimating the applicant's attainments the "unit" system will be used, in which each unit of credit represents a course of one high school year of thirty-six weeks, five periods a week, in any particular study. Applicants for admission must present fourteen units from the list described below. Ten and one-half units must be English Grammar, Composition and Rhetoric, and Literature (3), Algebra through Quadratics (1 1/2), Plane Geometry (1), United States History (1), and foreign language or languages (4). If Latin is offered for admission not less than three (3) units will be accepted.

Not more than four (4) units of conditions will be allowed to entering students, and these conditions must be worked off by the end of the second year. All conditioned students will be registered in the college catalogue as "conditioned students" until they have worked off their conditions. All students who are pursuing a regular degree course and have not more than one study behind will be registered in the college catalogue as "regular"; those who have more than one study behind or are not pursuing a degree course will be registered as "irregular."

Situation and Surroundings

situation.—No better climate can be found anywhere for intellectual work than that of the high Piedmont region of upper Carolina. It is salubrious and bracing, and stimulates mind and body to do their best.

health.—There is perhaps no healthier place in the South than Spartanburg.  The Wofford College campus, upon which the students live, is a high, well drained hill, removed from the dust and smoke and noise of the city. Students thus have within reach all the conveniences of the city, together with the healthful benefits of the country. Besides these natural surroundings, so conducive to health, oversight is taken, as far as possible, of the exercise and sports of students. A thoroughly equipped Gymnasium, under the care of a competent director, has been found of inestimable value, not only in preserving health, but in aiding the growing bodies of young men to a state of vigorous natural development.

social and intellectual surroundings.—Spartanburg furnishes an excellent social and intellectual atmosphere. The best entertainments—entertainments that make for the highest refinement—are constantly within reach of the student. Music by famous musicians, lectures by men of world-wide reputa­tion, readings by authors who are making the literature of the day, are all means of general culture that help to educate in the best sense the students of Wofford

Comments

[A Harrelson]

I have several pictures that are very old from the Wofford Fitting School. Is there a way to contact Dr. Phillip Stone.

aharrelson@aol.com

[iş fikirleri]

tht is are very interesting document.I excited when saw it.