The Academic-Science Division

Report Of The Dean Of The College

To the President of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute:

The personnel, the educational equipment, the teaching methods, and the organization of the departments comprising the Academic-Science Division were fully described in the 1929-1930 report, and no changes of any great importance have taken place since that report was made.

In the 1929-1930 report attention was called to the fact that some sections had exceeded the maximum theoretical limit. By the addition of new instructors that situation has been somewhat relieved, and it may be possible to hold down the size of the sections for the session of 1931-1932. Attention was called to the need of more space on the part of some departments. That situation still exists and very little relief is in sight for the coming session.

The interest which members of the teaching staff are manifesting in advanced work is very gratifying. Since the last annual report several members have completed their work for advanced degrees in this or in other institutions.

The growing interest in research is most encouraging. This interest is clearly evidenced by the gradually increasing volume of results which are being published through the usual channels. In this connection, it is advisable not to overlook the importance of adequate equipment for some of the departments. No scholar can do his best work with inadequate equipment.

It devolves upon the dean of the college to deal in one way or another with every student activity. It has been his effort in the past to seek cooperation with the student leaders with a view to organizing each activity on a business basis. Some progress has been made, but a few organizations are still far from being perfect.

Special attention should probably be called to the state loan fund. At present that fund is handled by the dean of the college in cooperation with the treasurer, and it is rapidly becoming a problem of no small proportions. This is no place for details, but it may be well to begin now to consider the advisability of lending money to no student below the rank of junior. Apparently, for good reasons, all of the organizations with funds available for the students of this institution have adopted that plan.

It might be entirely proper to refer here to some of the many other problems that come to this office, but it is believed that those problems can be more effectively considered elsewhere.

Respectfully submitted.

J. E. WILLIAMS, Dean of the College.