Page:A History of the University of Chicago by Thomas Wakefield Goodspeed.djvu/429

 SOME IMPORTANT DEPARTMENTS 375 It hardly needs to be said that, from the beginning, one of the important functions of the University was the preparation of students through its graduate departments and professional schools for teaching positions. Those who attained its higher degrees began at once to be sought as instructors in high schools and colleges. Applications came in from all directions for teachers. Some of them were made to the heads of departments, some to the deans, and many to the President. In a very few years it became apparent that the business of recommending teachers was to be one of great importance. In his Annual Report for 1898-99 President Harper made the following statement: In March, 1899, on the recommendation of the University Council, there was organized a board for recommendation of appointments. It seemed necessary to systematize more carefully the work of recommending students of the University for positions, especially for teachers' positions. In making recommendations it has seemed to be a wise policy to guard carefully every official statement given concerning the candidate for any position. The University has been so careful in this particular that students have sometimes felt themselves injured rather than helped by the statement furnished. It has never been the intention of the University to make a statement or to issue a letter at the request of a student seeking a position which would be distinctly injurious to the student. When, however, a question is raised as to the ability or character of a particular applicant, it is our policy to state the exact truth The organization of the Board has greatly relieved the pressure upon the President's Office; secured more satisfactory data concern- ing the attainments of students; furnished the machinery for securing more easily the opinion of instructors; and it is a source of great assistance to superintendents of schools and boards of trustees. The work is under the charge of a special committee of five persons, with which is associated a repre- sentative of each department of the University. It is evident that the recom- mendations issued by this Board will prove to be statements on which full dependence may be placed The recommendation is based in every case upon actual, personal knowledge of the student's attainments. Soon after the establishment of this Board, Professor H. E. Slaught was made its executive secretary and built its work up into great efficiency. At the August, 1902, Convocation the President said: The number of requests from universities, colleges, academies, and second- ary schools has increased in a most remarkable manner. During the past year over six hundred such calls for teachers have been received by the