Comparatively few respond, and often those
who do respond do not lend their best effort;
they take so little interest in the matter that
much labor upon their productions is neces
sary in correcting gross errors caused by evi
dent carelessness. “These things ought not
so to be.” Give free reins to youthful tenden-
cies and tackle hard subjects if you will; be
extravagant, be crude, only don’t be careless.
We will with pleasure encourage and assist
any of our number, of any class, who will give
their best effort, and we appeal to all for con
tributions. Hut a feature which the paper ought
to present by way of contributions from Alumni
is still more noticeably absent. Doubtless no
part of the paper would be read with so' much
interest as articles from former students, writ-
ten upon some timely topic, or letters written
for publication. Such communications would
be appreciated by all students here as well as
by all who have ever had any personal relations
with the writers, or who have ever been con
nected with the institution. Beside this, we
believe that Alumni can aid their Alma Mater
by suggestions. The strength of a college lies
largely in her Alumni. If they have no aid,
encouragement, or suggestions to offer, an
important source of strength is lacking. If
Alumni can give their aid, encouragement, or
suggestions in a more material form let them
do so, but meanwhile let us hear from them.
The Free Lance was dedicated to the joint
interests of Alma Mater, Alumni, and under
graduates, and accordingly we wish all to be
represented.
* * *
UP to this time about the only opportunity/
for the expression of college loyalty by
return visits on the part of students who have
THE FREE LANCE.
gone out from here has been the society re-
unions and occasional class reunions of com-
These society reunions
seem to awaken warm feelings in the hearts of
Alumni; they seem to draw by the strongest
tics which were knit during college life here.
From the present onward, fraternity associa
tions will be more and more potent to call back
old students. And indeed it is desirable that
all such influences be employed to kindle an
enthusiasm for their Alma Mater in the hearts
of former students. Such an enthusiasm will
mencement week
keep finding opportunities to serve the interests
of Alma Mater abroad. There ought to be such
.a love of Alma Mater bred in the hearts of
students that they would always, be mindful of
her. Judging from the measure of such love
and enthusiasm which finds expression in re
unions and revisits here, we doubt whether
Alumni arc always active as advocates of the
interests of their college. The fact is that re
unions here, left to Alumni organization, arc
sure to fall through. It is argued in some col
leges that the "elective go-as-you-please sys
tem ' adopted in courses of study is responsible
for the lack of the spirit and enthusiasm spoken
of above, which would otherwise exist among
old students, If this be true it may be that
with us the diversity of our courses produces
a like effect, However this may be we appeal
to Alumni to make the reunions of next June
unprecedented at this place for enthusiasm and
interest on their part.
A THING which is being agitated among
the students is a desire to have the regu-
lations relating to absence from recitations in
the college departments changed or at least
slightly modified. As it now is it is difficult
i|i