Report.

The Board of Curators of Missouri State University recognizing the justness and the national importance of the higher education of woman, opened to her in 1872, by act of Legislature, the doors of Missouri State University, thus placing her with regard to educational advantages, on an equality with the young men of the State. Five years, however, previous to her admission to all the departments of the University she was admitted to the classes of the Normal Department. As the number of young women attending the University multiplied year after year, there was a growing need of special provisions for them. This increasing want suggested the appointment, in 1879, of a lady principal, in which capacity I have the honor to preside. I also share the class-room labor of the English Department.

In submitting to you my report for 1882-3, I rejoice to say that the provisions of this department of service have been duly appreciated by the young ladies, and that I: to their increasing confidence and hearty co-operation is largely attributable, what ever success 1 may have attained in my supervisory work. My association with them this year has been very pleasant to me, and, 1 trust, in some measure, profitable to them. It is highly gratifying to me to be able to state that, as a rule, they have been quiet and lady-like in demeanor, giving evidences of development in genuine womanhood.

Uniform.

It is desirable, for many reasons, that the dress of the young women be simple and inexpensive. Simplicity in dress, right in itself, is peculiarly becoming in a student, for it saves time, money and thought to be consecrated to higher uses. Again, it is desirable that the young women identified with the University be distinguished from all others. By the adoption of a uniform this can be readily and effectively accomplished. Therefore, to avoid extravagance and to disarm criticism. all young ladies attending the University are required to adopt, as their daily attire, (the weekly and special holidays excepted), the following uniform: A walking suit of black alpaca or cashmere with trimmings of the same color. During the first four weeks of the first semester, and the last four weeks of the second semester, a white waist or basque may be substituted for the black waist or basque. The style of the fall and winter hat will be announced at the opening of the first semester of each I collegiate year; the style of the spring and summer hat will be announced the first or second week in April of each year. In order to secure perfect uniformity, the order for all hats required will be given by the principal, and one order being given for all, the cost of each will be diminished. The hats for the entire collegiate year will not cost more than 84, possibly they will cost less.

Each young woman must be provided with a water-proof cloak, with [unclear: are] brella and with rubber overshoes. In the long and rigorous winters of this [unclear: clling] it is imperative that our lady students take every necessary precaution [unclear: toward] preservation of their health.

The above regulation dress is prescribed by the Faculty, and made a [unclear: condition] of admission or continuance in the Institution, under the special authorization [unclear: of] Board of Curators, and a penalty of ten demerits is entered for each day's [unclear: vioh] of this rule.

Calisthenics.

Believing that the physical deformity and degeneracy of the American [unclear: was] are largely attributable to her inactivity, it is deemed necessary to require all [unclear: years] ladies attending the University to engage in Calisthenic exercises during one [unclear: setter] unless some reason justifying exemption therefrom be presented.

That gymnastic and calisthenic exercises are good only to produce the [unclear: athlete] acrobat, is a prevalent error, grounded in a misapprehension of the varied [unclear: charge] of the exercises. Calisthenic exercises are intended to remove special local [unclear: discretions]. The tendencies of our modern life to the contraction of lung capacity [unclear: led] to a prevalence of pulmonary weakness. Let Calisthenics in our schools [unclear: its] attention to that evil, then will it prove a national blessing in elevating the [unclear: physic] tone of our people.

This year we have been without the delightful stimulus of music in our [unclear: cu] thenic movements. We trust that our generous Board will not longer delay in [unclear: riding] us with a piano, for Calisthenics cannot accomplish its legitimate end [unclear: with] that exhilaration and enthusiasm that come through the magnetic influence of [unclear: mat]

Literary Society.

The young women have only one literary society—the Philalethean. [unclear: The] being but one available hall adapted to society purposes, and for other reasons [unclear: lading] to the highest and best interests of those concerned, it was thought best to [unclear: the] but one literary organization for them.

The Philalethean Hall is not large, but it is the most artistic in the [unclear: University] Its walls are hung with paper of tasteful design, and by an appropriation from University treasury it has been handsomely furnished, all of which is highly [unclear: appreciated] by the society.

Music.

To all students who have desired to study music—vocal and instrumental—[unclear: faties] have been afforded. This feature of our work has not received the [unclear: attend] that its importance demands; nor can it be given the prominence of which [unclear: in] worthy, until our Legislature grant an appropriation or some generous donor [unclear: pros] the means for the erection of a suitable building wherein may be [unclear: established] regular conservatory of music. In the mean time we will strive to enlarge [unclear: a] present facilities in the study of this art, looking forward to the establishment conservatory of music which shall attract the best material and the best talent [unclear: in] a Mississippi Valley.

Instruction in the School of English.

Each of these, except Literary Criticism, was only one division of a class, the other division being under Prof. McAnally's instruction.

The uniformly polite attention of my classes in the recitation room, and my pleasant association and harmonious working with the courteous Principal of the English Department, I deem worthy of record here.

Girls' Course in Arts.

This course is equivalent to any one of the other academic courses, yet is identical with none. In this way it is intended to avoid the fallacy of confounding co-education with identical education. This course is made up substantially of studies selected from the various academic courses previously established, with additional work in literature, composition and criticism, and diversified by studies peculiarly adapted to the culture of woman, such as calisthenics, music, physiology, domestic chemistry and economy.

Believing that women are able to meet the demands of the case, the Girls' Course in Arts is made co-ordinate in rank with the other academic courses, their equivalent in acquisition and their equal in honor, and it takes its place by them in the Synchronistic Table.

The degree of A. D. B. (Artium Domesticarum Baecalaurea) is conferred on those students who complete successfully the studies prescribed in this course, and its graduates will have all the privileges and immunities extended to the graduates in the other academic courses. Only young ladies are admitted to this course and degree.

This Girls' Course in Arts is optional, but thus far its history is that of similar I courses in other institutions; that is, it is more popular with the young ladies than any other of the academic courses. Of the whole number of girls enrolled this; year for the various academic courses, a large per cent, were enrolled for the Girls' Course in Arts. This year there are two candidates for graduation in the A. D. B. Course.

The establishment of a special course for girls has tended to increase their number in the University, and this tendency will necessarily strengthen as the merits of the new course become better known. Last vacation I received a larger number of letters of inquiry than I received during any previous vacation. The number of young ladies attending the University this year is seventy-five.

Through the appropriation recently made by our Legislature, we will increased facilities in the direction of Chapel, class rooms, society halls and halls. In these improved facilities our girl students will participate; and they be especially encouraged in having an enlarged society hall and study hall. State has done nobly; but let her next General Assembly make an [unclear: appropriate] the erection of a building meeting the requirements of a home for girls and observatory of music in connection with her University, then will she greatly [unclear: much] I the number of its lady students, and make it the dispenser of greater good State and to the nation.