University of Oregon monthly., April 01, 1908, Image 12

U niversity , of O regon M onthly
15
of the members are absolutely passive with regard to Student activ­
ities. They may cheer the football team, or subscribe to the Month­
ly or attend the glee-club concert, but they make no effort to par-*
ticipate actively in student work. Examination indicates that the
“idle” students are fully as bright and capable as those who are
doing the work. The surface indication is that an exaggerated
social activity and unsystematic habits of study take up the time,
which if properly applied, could not but double the efficiency of
the University.
Taking the students by classes it is' found that the inactive sen­
ior girls just' equals the total average,' 54-1-2 per cent of them being
engaged in no student work. Student work here’is taken to mean
holding a student office, representing the University in any line of.
student activity or trying for such a place,' contributing to student
periodicals, or doing any similar work. Of the senior boys only one
third are idle. This showing is bettered' only by the' junior botys,
of whom only ^27 1-2 per cent ate3 not doing student work. This is
of course natural, as the junior year- is properly the busiest -year.
The junior boys fill forty four important places in the activities of
the student body. Yet eleven o f ‘the brightest men in this class
do nothing. Their assistance would be invaluable. The men do
the work in the junior class,- for 85 per, cent of the girls,, contribute-,
only their presence, which' | | pf course worth a great deal, to the-
good of the student work.
Of the sophomore girls, 89 per cent are idle ; of the sophomore
boys, 35 per cent are merely ornamentsSfór/fcfté working student
body:? Of the freshman boys’, giving the benefit of the doubt to
every man who has shown the least willingness to take part in any
college activity, we must still count 47 1-2 pet cent »in the ranks of
the army of unemployed. The freshman girls, who áre and, of right
ought to be the most carefree mortals i n ’the,college world, do not
seem overburdened While 93 2-3 per perii? of them are absolutely
unidentified with any form of student work.
These figures, while only approximately^ reliable are significant.
If thpre are 54 1-2 per cent, or over two hundred of the students who
are not actively engaged in student-body work, and who have not.
so far endeavored to engage in this work, the great possibilities for
development and improvement are evident.-
’’ f
Every student1 should realize the- importance to' himself as well