Page:A history of the Michigan state normal school (now Normal college) at Ypsilanti, Michigan, 1849-1899 (IA historyofmichiga00putniala).pdf/62



tion’’ were, by implication, free from any charge for tuition. The statute also said that “‘each county shall be entitled to send pupils in the ratio of the representatives in the State Legislature to which it is entitled, not to exceed such number as the Board may prescribe.’’

Before the opening of the first term, the Board adopted rules and regulations in relation to admission, etc., the substance of which was as follows:

(1) Each member of the House of Representatives was authorized to appoint two pupils, (one of each sex) in his district.

(2) Pupils admitted to the English course must not be less than fourteen years of age, those admitted to the Classical course not less than thirteen. :

{3) Pupils appointed by members of the House of Representatives were to pay one dollar entrance fee at the commencement of each term, or two dollars if they took the Classical course, All other pupils preparing to teach were to pay three dollars per term, or four dollars if they pursued the Classical course, Those taking the English course, and not intending to teach, were to pay six dollars per term; the same class of pupils in the Classical course, eight dollars per term.

(4) In respect to examinations this was stated: —‘‘All pupils preparing to teach will be examined for admission to any of the classes which they propose to enter, There will be regular examinations, occupying one week, at the close of each term.’’

Practically, so far as appears, no formal examinations were required for entering the school, and no declaration of intention to teach was demanded. ‘The result was that a considerable number of students came into the school who had no intention of becoming teachers, and the institution assumed, to a large extent, the character of an excellent academy or high school. It soon became obvious to the Principal and to the Board that a somewhat radical and thorough change of policy, in certain directions, must be made as speedily as possible. During the progress of the fourth term the Board adopted resolutions pledging their best efforts ‘‘toward the accomplishment of the end sought by the creation of the normal school’’, and declaring that contemplated “changes in the manner of conducting’’ the school should be made at the close of the present term, that is at the close of the second school year. The most important of these changes had