Centre College Special Collections - Centre Faculty Minutes (1862)

Centre College Faculty Minutes (Vol. 1 - 1862)

Thursday January 2, 1862

Faculty met at College Library. Present: Beatty, Matthews, Patterson, McKnight and Cooper. The Board of Trustees of the College having, at an informal meeting, granted temporary leave of absence to Professor Matthews, he signified to the faculty his purpose to cease acting with them for the present. In order to supply Prof. Matthew's place, the Scientific students were ordered to go into the regular classes in Mathematics, and Prof. McKnight being thus relieved, should instruct the classes in Latin. The examination of the Junior class for the half session is to be omitted in the Latin.

New time fixed for examination for the half session is the second week in February. Prof. Cooper appointed Secretary.

Page 29 [view page image]

Friday January 10, 1862

Faculty met in the College Library. Present: Profs. Beatty, McKnight and Cooper. Prof. Beatty brought a communication from Rev. Dr. Humphrey, President of the Board of Trustees, relative to the necessity of a further reduction of the salaries of the College faculty. All present concurred in the reply, that we thoroughly appreciate the necessities of the case, growing out of the present financial [illegible word] and are willing to submit to such reduction as the Board may deem.

Messrs. Vanmeter and Rodman, former members of the present Senior class, returned and applied for admission to their class. It was decided that they could be regularly admitted after standing examinations on those studies which they had omitted from the course by their absence. Mr. Bush applied and was admitted to the Freshman class. Mr. Redmond applied for admission to College, but being found unable to pursue his studies profitably in any of the classes, was advised to attend the Grammar School.

Jacob Cooper, Secretary

January 24, 1862

Faculty met at Library. All present. Examination fixed for February 5-6-7.

January 29, 1862

Faculty met on special call. All present. The subject of permitting our students to leave their exercises to go to the examinations of the Caldwell Female Institute was brought before the faculty, and it was resolved that this privilege be extended only to the Senior class, and if any others go during College exercises this will be considered as an offense against discipline and punished

Page 30 [view page image]

accordingly. The opinion also prevailed that it would be better for no one to go prior the College classes.

Prof. McKnight requested to be relieved from attending Saturday's exercises for half the time and Dr. Green agreed to relieve him in that portion of time except when absent on business relating especially to the interests of the College when Prof. Beatty proposes to preside over the exercises.

It was also resolved that the President should henceforth keep the matriculation book in accordance with the laws of the College.

January 31, 1862

The subject of disorder in the College entries and around the building was discussed and the President was directed to admonish the students against this growing evil. Profs. Beatty and Cooper appointed a committee to propose a plan for arranging the books in Sayre Hall.

February 7, 1862

Faculty engaged in filing and directing [illegible word].

A recommendation was received from Drs. Humphrey and Yerkes requesting that German be taught the whole year instead of half and the French the balance. This was found to [unclear: derange?] our schedule of recitations so much that it could not be complied with.

Four studies having to be provided for, Pro. Cooper requested to be relieved from one of them as being more than his share and as no [illegible word] seeming to be satisfactory by which he could be relieved, it was resolved to have two classes in Greek, the Freshman and Sophomores together.

Page 31 [view page image]

Friday March 14, 1862

Faculty met at the Library. All present. Lawson Moore, Sr., was excused from a third recitation because he could have no other than French for a third hour; and as he had taken this study last year he did not wish to go over the same subject again. Halley excused from French in order to study Latin privately under a Theological student, with a view to become a regular student.

Jacob Cooper, Secretary

Friday March 21, 1862

Faculty met at the Library. All present. Prof. Cooper having engagement to preach was relieved from teaching the Bible class embracing the Sophomore and Freshmen classes. The division of the students in future in the Bible class is as follows. The Seniors, Juniors, and Senior Scientifics attend Professor Beatty. The Sophomores, Freshmen and Junior Scientifics are allotted to Professor Patterson.

Mr. Beatty in behalf of the Library Committee presented a scheme for the distribution of books in Sayre Hall. The scheme was considered favorable and the committee continued with the addition of Prof. Patterson. It was also resolved that a public proclamation be made for all persons having books out to return them forthwith to the College Library. A further consideration of the scheme for the distribution of books in Sayre Hall was to be made at the next regular meeting. Adjourned.

Jacob Cooper, Secretary

Page 32 [view page image]

April 2, 1862

Faculty met in the Old Library at 11 o'clock a.m. All present. In consequence of an act of insubordination on the part of several students, who through predetermined movement absented themselves from duty in College on the lst last, the faculty proceeded to a rigid and separate examination of all the guilty parties who could be found, and after a partial investigation of the whole case it was resolved.

The names of all the offenders and their specific offence with the aggravating or mitigating circumstances of each cases be entered of record on the faculty book.
The faculty desires to express the opinion, and authorizes the President so to state to the students, that we regard the action of those who absented themselves from College on the first of April as being wholly unjustifiable and in violation of College law. But that in view of many mitigating circumstances, the faculty are willing to dismiss the case with no other censure than the public expression of their strong disapprobation before the whole College, and a distinct warning to the guilty parties that a repetition of the offence will be dealt with by the exercise of rigid discipline, and also that a note be sent to the parents of the offending parties expressing the views of the faculty in relation to this grave offence.

This [illegible word] was this aggravating circumstance in the case of most of the Sophomore class that they resolved in a meeting called for that purpose to absent themselves from College duty. The names of those who thus offended are as follows: Barbour, Brumfield, Buford, Chenault, Humphrey,

Page 33 [view page image]

McKee, Scott, Shackleford, Smith, Taylor (who originated the movement), Wallace, Wason and Yerkes.

Mitchell of the same class was absent from College duty, but did not attend the meeting at which it was resolved to be absent and does not appear to have been much in fault.

The Junior class was not all absent. It did not appear that there was a plan matured before the morning of the misdemeanor to be absent; nor was the plan then approved by all. The following persons were guilty of the misdemeanor: Bell, Brent, Cleland, Cleveland, Green, Gundy, Nock, Marshall, Price, Wiehl, Young. The following persons we hardly considered guilty of an offense: Condit, Fleming, Goodloe, McKee.

It is proper to state that Mr. H. W. McKee voluntarily drew up and presented to the Faculty a paper, signed by himself and Mr. Condit and Marshall of the Junior class, expressing their deep regret for the way they had [illegible word] and apologizing fully to the faculty for their misconduct. This paper was also signed by Fleming; but with a reservation or condition so that the faculty could not consider his case as affected by the above named paper.

The following persons were also absent from College and therefore guilty of the general act of insubordination, but with no specifically aggravating circumstances, viz. Barbee of the Freshman class, Scott McFerrin, J. P. Tonstall & Bryan of the Scientific class.

The following persons were admonished for general misconduct about College in the recitation room or in chapel, viz. Bell, Gundy and Young of the Junior

Page 34 [view page image]

Bell was also reprimanded for a specific act of disorder (made by bellowing) and warned not to repeat it under peril of severe punishment.

Edward Humphrey and Joseph Smith to be sharply admonished by the President for disorder in Chapel during prayers on Wednesday morning April 2, 1862.

The following is a copy of the note addressed to the parent or guardian of those persons who were guilty of the misdemeanor of absenting themselves from College April 1, 1862.

A number of students absented themselves without excuse from all the exercises of College on the 1st of April. The Faculty, whilst they were ready to recognize many mitigating circumstances, felt compelled to express in the form of a public censure their strong disapprobation of this conduct, and to send to the parents of the offending parties notice of the fact. Your son, we are sorry to say, was among the number. By order of the Faculty.

May 16, 1862

Faculty met in College Chapel. All except Mr. Matthews present.

The senior class having now completed their examination the honors were assigned as follows

Allen the Valedictory
Forsythe the Greek Salutory
Crutcher the Latin Salutory

It was also resolved that if Mr. Hendy (who is now sick) shall pass a satisfactory examination before the time of commence he shall have the fourth honor, an English Salutatory or Philosophical oration.

Page 35 [view page image]

The Faculty resolved that only fifteen who stood highest in scholarship should have the privilege of speaking at Commencement. The names of these in the order of their grade of scholarship are as follows: Allen, Forsythe, Crutcher, Hendy, Pettus, Brown, Craig, Rodman, Warren, Evans, Baker, McMillan, Lewis, Alcorn sen. Mr. Kittredge occupied the second place in grade but for one year only, so that we could not put him in competition. All the class composed of them mentioned and the following five, Alcorn Jr., Schooling, McDugald, Vanmeter and McFerran were recommended to the Board of Trustees for a degree.

Jacob Cooper, Secretary

May 23, 1862

Faculty met, but nothing of special importance was transacted.

June 6, 1862

Faculty met. All present.

A petition was presented by the elected speakers of the Senior class asking the Faculty to permit all the class to have the privilege of speaking. This petition was based on an alleged misunderstanding on the part of the students of the policy of the Faculty regarding the selection of speakers according to scholarship. It was resolved to return the following answer

"In consequence of a misunderstanding on the part of the class as to the policy of the College in which it has been determined to permit students to speak only

Page 36 [view page image]

awarding of grade. The Faculty are willing to make allowance and permit all to speak this year, as a favor, but not in contravention to the right to apply this rule in future."

June 13, 1862

Faculty met; all present but Beatty and Matthews. The following scheme of examination was adopted.

Tuesday June 17th
11 - 12 1/2	Scientific; Mental Philosophy	Dr. Green
Wednesday June 18th
7 1/2 - 9 1/2	Scientific; French	Prof. Cooper
9 1/2 - 12	Freshmen; Latin	Prof. McKnight
3 - 5	Junior; Rhetoric	Prof. McKnight
Thursday June 19th
7 1/2 - 9 1/2	Freshmen; Greek	Prof. Cooper
9 1/2 - 12	Junior; Calculus	Prof. Patterson
3 - 5	Sophomore; Trigonometry	Prof. Patterson
Friday June 20th
7 1/2 - 9 1/2	Junior; Greek	Prof. Cooper
9 1/2 - 12	Freshmen; Geometry	Prof. Patterson
3 - 5	Sophomore; Latin	Prof. McKnight
Monday June 23rd
7 1/2 - 9 1/2	Sophomore; Greek	Prof. Cooper
9 1/2 - 12	Junior; Pol. Econ.	Prof. McKnight
3 -	Faculty meeting

Adjourned.

Jacob Cooper, Secretary

Monday June 23, 1862

Faculty met; All present but Beatty and Matthews. Engaged in working out Circulars. Finished this himself and [illegible word] himself of the term.

Jacob Cooper, Secretary

Page 37 [view page image]

September 8, 1862

Faculty met. Present Dr. Green, Profs. Beatty, McKnight and Patterson. Robert Patterson was appointed Secretary of the Faculty, pro tem. Upon consultation, it was unanimously considered the duty of the Faculty to resume the exercises of the College, and that a minute be prepared for our next meeting, expressive of the views of the Faculty.

September 10, 1862

Faculty met; present, Messrs. Green, Beatty, McKnight, & Patterson.

Mr. Woodson was permitted to recite with the Junior class, the studies of the Sophomore year to be made up before securing regular standing. Messrs. Armstrong and Lapsley were admitted to the Junior class, and Mr. Forsythe to the Sophomore class, the latter conditioned on two orations of Cicero, and all three subject to examination in Greek by Prof. Cooper.

The following persons were recommended unconditionally from the Preparatory Department for admission to the Freshman class: Ashby McKee, William McFerran, Clay Tompkins, Lewis Pauling, Thomas Paschal, William Moore, William Lucas, Caleb Weedin. Also Messrs. William Fields, Daniel Crozier, and Thomas Jackson, recommended for Scientific Department.

The following minute was unanimously adopted, and the Secretary was instructed to furnish the President of the Board of Trustees with a copy of the same.

The Faculty of Centre College, being called to meet under circumstances of peculiar trial and responsibility, consider it due to them-

Page 38 [view page image]

elves to place on the minutes the following expression of their views.

First. We distinctly recognize the Board of Trustees as, in the highest sense, the appointed guardians of the College, and earnestly request the President of the Board to call a meeting of that body on the earliest practicable occasion, in the exercise of his own wise discretion.

Secondly. Until such meeting can be held, the responsibility for the welfare of the Institution is in the Providence of God, devolved upon the Faculty. We feel that this is a very grave and solemn responsibility, yet it is one which we cannot honorably decline or evade. We meet it calmly, in the fear of God, who has cast it upon us.

Thirdly. It is our deliberate judgement that to abandon our posts, or suspend the operations of the College, in the present crisis would be disastrous in at least two respects. It would increase to an indefinite extent the difficulty of collecting our students and reopening the College, when these disastrous times shall have passed away. And it would probably jeopard the pecuniary interests of the Institution in the funds recently subscribed for the endowment of the College.

Page 39 [view page image]

Fourthly. We cherish the abiding hope that the God of our Fathers will grant us, at no distant period, a deliverance from these calamities, and believe that when this shall be accomplished, a goodly number of our students will return, if the doors are found open and the classes regularly organized.

Fifthly. No fear of adverse or unfriendly judgement can lead us, for a moment, to falter in the performance of a clear and imperative duty; yet, to avoid all possible misconstruction of our course, we do hereby deliberately renounce all legal claim for the salaries promised us by the Board from and after the 8th day of September, 1862, and until a meeting of the Board can be held or the necessities of the Professors shall compel them to seek other employment; leaving the whole question of compensation for our services to the Board itself, and with the full assurance that in regard to each one of us individually, their decision will be guided by impartial equity, and in reference to the Institution by a wise and sagacious consideration of all the circumstances of the case.

Sixthly. It would be folly to close our eyes against the altered circumstances of the country or the correspondent changes in the

Page 40 [view page image]

condition and prospects of the College, or the grave and momentous questions regarding the future policy of the Institution which may force themselves, in consequence, on the consideration of the Board. Yet we do not consider it either wise or decorous for us, individually or collectively, to anticipate the action of the Board, or to offer, at present, any advice or suggestion in reference to any of these questions. And this is all the more preeminently true, because, after all, those questions may never arise or may be solved by the same Providential events which call them up; and in the rapid and perpetual changes in the aspect of affairs, the wisest human judgement of today may be reversed by the unexpected events of tomorrow. In all this we only share the common lot of our fellow citizens, and are called, like them, to abide in our place, and wait and see what God will do.

Resolved, that for the present the various recitations of the College be three-quarters of an hour long, and that the bell be rung accordingly.

September 18, 1862

Faculty met; present Messrs. Green, Beatty, McKnight and Patterson.

Prof. Beatty presented a letter from Prof. Cooper, notifying the Faculty of his acceptance of the Chaplainey of the Third Regiment, Kentucky, Vol. Infantry,

Page 41 [view page image]

subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees, and upon condition that the Faculty provide for the instruction of his classes. After some consultation, it was resolved that in the judgement of the Faculty, it will be impracticable, in the absence of Prof. Cooper, to provide for instruction in the Modern Languages; and the consideration of the instruction of the Sophomore & Freshman classes in Greek was postponed until our next meeting.

September 26, 1862

The regular Faculty meeting was prevented by the visit of several Confederate officers, who examined the College building with a view to making it a hospital for Confederate soldiers. Profs. Beatty, McKnight, & Patterson, at an informal meeting, concurred in the opinion that should the College be thus occupied, we should, if Dr. Green concur, endeavor still to hear the recitations of the classes, using the Sayre Library as far as practicable for that purpose. On Saturday, September 27, 1862, the College was taken possession of by the Confederate forces for hospital purposes, with the exception of Prof. Beatty's rooms. On Monday, October 13th, the Confederate soldiers in the hospital are taken prisoners and paroled by the U.S. forces; and on Thursday, October 16th, the Confederate sick are removed to the Baptist Church, and the College building is occupied by U.S. soldiers as a hospital. On February 27th, evacuated by the sick; and on March 14th, the building is restored to the College authorities after twenty day's occupation by the Confederates and 5 months, less 2 days, by the U.S. forces.

Page 42 [view page image]

September 29, 1862

Monday. Commence using the Sayre Library for Chapel exercises and recitations.

October 3, 1862

Faculty met: present Messrs. Green, Beatty, McKnight & Patterson. Prof. Patterson notifies the Faculty of his expected absence on account of fears of the operation of the Confederate conscription.

October 9, 1862

There being but six students present, and the community intensely excited on account of the battle of yesterday (at Perryville), the Faculty, present Messrs. Green, Beatty, and McKnight, resolve to suspend exercises until Monday next.

October 13, 1862

Monday. Faculty met: present Messrs. Green, Beatty, McKnight, & Patterson; but six students appearing, and both armies being in our immediate vicinity, it was resolved to suspend exercises until Monday next.

October 17, 1862

Faculty met at the office of the Financial Agent: present Messrs. Green, Beatty, & Patterson. At the suggestion of Rev. Dr. Humphrey & Hon. Joshua F. Bell, it was resolved to suspend the exercises of the College for another week.

October 27, 1862

Monday. College re-opened, but the classes excused for today, the stoves not being in readiness. Have thus lost, in all, thirteen days of College exercises.

October 28, 1862

Exercises resumed; 17 students present. Faculty met after recitations; no business transacted.

October 31, 1862

Faculty met: present, Messrs. Green, Beatty, McKnight & Patterson. Resolved that provision should now be made for the instruction of the Sophomore and Freshman classes in Greek. Dr. Green having kindly offered to hear both classes, it was resolved to make no other

Page 43 [view page image]

arrangement until Dr. Green's return from a brief visit to Illinois.

November 7, 1862

Faculty met: present Messrs. Beatty, McKnight, & Patterson; no business transacted.

November 10, 1862

Faculty met: present Messrs. Beatty, McKnight & Patterson.

Mr. Nelson, after examination in Latin & Mathematics, is admitted to the Junior class, on condition of making up such subjects as may be assigned him.

November 14, 1862

Faculty met: present Messrs. Green, Beatty, McKnight & Patterson. Arrangements were made for recitations in Greek, commencing next Monday, November 17th.

November 21, 1862

Faculty met: present Messrs. Green, Beatty, McKnight, and Patterson. Resolved to suspend the exercises of the College on Thursday next (Thanksgiving), if there should be religious exercises on that day.

November 24, 1862

Mr. Drury admitted upon trial to the Freshman class.

November 28, 1862

Faculty met: present Messrs. Green, Beatty, McKnight, & Patterson. No business transacted.

December 5, 1862

Faculty met: present Messrs. Green, Beatty, McKnight, and Patterson. Resolved that hereafter the recitations be each an hour long. Resolved that the Christmas recess commence with Wednesday, December 24th; and the exercises of College be resumed on Monday, January 5th, 1863.

December 19, 1862

Faculty met: present Messrs. Beatty, McKnight, & Patterson. Resolved that the students be notified on Monday next, that they will be required, upon their return to College after the Christmas recess, to pay their tuition for the year. Minutes read thus far and approved.

Robert Patterson