Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 3.djvu/327

 THE STATE UNIVERSITY

The doors of the University were thrown open for the first time in March, 1855, and seventy-five students were found to be in attendance. An act of the General Assembly, approved in 1847, had directed the establishment of such an institution at Iowa City, but for various reasons the school was not formally opened until eight years later. For several years the institution led a precarious existence, as in 1857 the University proper was closed upon the recommendation of Chancellor Dean because of lack of funds and suitable buildings; the Normal Department continued its work. On September 19th, 1860, the institution was formally opened and from this time the real organization of the University may be said to date. The catalogue of 1860-1 shows one hundred and seventy-two students, of whom but nineteen were of collegiate rank, and eight professors. Until 1867 elementary English branches were taught, and in 1879 all preparatory instruction was abolished. The Normal and Collegiate departments were consolidated in 1873. In 1868 the Law the Medical Department was organized with fifteen students; in 1877 the Homeopathic Medical Department was established with eighteen students; in 1882 a Dental Department with fifteen students, and in 1885 the Pharmaceutical Department with fourteen students. Since 1860 the faculty has grown from eight to one hundred sixty-five in 1902; and the attendance in the Collegiate Department from nineteen to 1,512. One small building accommodated the institution in 1855, while in 1902 the buildings numbered eighteen, exclusive of two in process of erection. The library of the University in 1900 contained 58,000 volumes, while eleven laboratories, several hospitals and museums add to the equipment of the various departments. Close Hall, built through the efforts of the Christian associations, furnishes gymnasium, reading rooms,