 | The University of Virginia record March 15, 1929 |  |
EXTENSION SERVICES
I. Extension Classes
Extension classes are courses of instruction corresponding closely with those
regularly given in the University by members of the faculty, and conducted for
the administration, supervision and control of the University. Each course represents
a definite amount of study corresponding to an equivalent amount of work
required in residence at the University, and, when completed satisfactorily by
persons meeting the entrance requirements of the University, receives the same
degree of credit as if taken in residence.
Extension classes will be organized upon application for them in as many
centers as possible, if a sufficient number (a minimum of fifteen for each class)
apply for them. Application for such courses should be made to the Director,
Division of Extension, University, Virginia.
A catalogue announcing courses offered in Extension for 1928-1929 is published
for free distribution and will be sent upon request.
Co-operation with Other Virginia Colleges.—In 1926 the University in cooperation
with Roanoke College, adopted temporarily a plan for conducting jointly
extension classes in the city of Roanoke and vicinity. This plan with certain
modifications by mutual consent of the two institutions has been continued. The
organization of this work is under the direction of the Roanoke center of the
University Extension Division. Members of the faculty of the University and of
Roanoke College conduct the classes.
Because the demand for extension courses is greater than the University can
care for with its own faculty, and because the plan described above has proven
satisfactory, the University has invited other colleges to participate in the extension
class work on a co-operative basis. Besides Roanoke College, Randolph-Macon
Woman's College, Farmville State College for Teachers, Hampden-Sidney College
and Emory and Henry College have arranged to assist in this work for the year
1928-1929. Members of the faculty of Washington and Lee University also engage
in extension teaching under the direction of the University of Virginia Extension
Division. It is hoped that this co-operate plan may be extended to include
other higher educational institutions in the state as soon as resources permit.
II. Short Courses and Lectures
The Division of Extension offers a number of short courses or lecture conferences,
with meetings on consecutive days or at weekly intervals, which are
devoted to the study of some particular problem in which any group of persons
may be interested.
Lectures of popular or technical nature or addresses for community and club
meetings and other special occasions are furnished upon payment of a minimum
charge. Speakers for commencement addresses are furnished to schools at a
uniform charge of $15 to be applied toward the speaker's expenses.
III. School Relations
The Virginia High School Literary and Athletic League has been conducting
interscholastic literary and athletic contests in Virginia schools since 1913. The
operation and control of the League is now shared by the Extension Division with
representatives elected by the schools in all sections of the state, and with two
supervisors of the State Board of Education. All public high schools of the state
are eligible for membership in the League, while the private preparatory schools
are invited to participate as a distinct class in some of the athletic and literary
contests.
In 1926-1927 by action of the Legislative Council of the League, membership
dues were inaugurated. During the school year 1927-1928, 167 public high schools
of the state became members—9 in the Class A, or large city group; 43 in Class B,
or intermediate city group; and 115 of the Class C, or county school group.
In athletics, the program of contests includes football, basketball, baseball,
tennis, and track; in literary work, debate, public speaking, public reading, essay,
verse, short story, and publications. For determination of championships schools
are classified according to size and divided into districts according to location.
In 1927-1928, six pennants and seven banners were awarded to winners of district
athletic titles; and fifty bronze and silver trophies were awarded to schools
whose representatives were successful in state and class literary and athletic
championships. These trophies are awarded to the school and not to the individual
representative. Eighty-seven state monograms were awarded at the state interscholastic
track meet and final literary contests.
A basketball tournament in the fall for county schools and a state track meet
and tennis tournament and the final state literary contests in May bring together
a large and select group of high school students.
Local or interschool competition is also sponsored. Through the co-operation
of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, 345 gold, 187 silver and 311 bronze medals
were awarded in the past year to pupils who achieved certain athletic standards
or were winners in local literary activities.
IV. Publications
For the purpose of disseminating information and carrying the results of
study, research, and investigation of its faculty to as many people as possible,
the Division of Extension publishes twelve bulletins on various subjects each
year. Most of the bulletins are issued free of charge, but for some a nominal
price is set which covers only the cost of printing. The Division of Extension also
issues regularly a leaflet, "Extension Topics," which is chiefly a letter to Extension
students serving as a bond between them and the University; and "Extension
News," which is circulated widely as a medium of information about the classes,
publications and activities of the Division. Special care is given to the task of
placing the printed materials in the hands of those who most appreciate and profit
by them. A leaflet published annually describes available Extension publications.
V. Citizenship Education
The services of the Bureau of Citizenship Education include the single lecture,
the short course consisting of three to ten lectures in citizenship and government,
citizenship institutes, and the furnishing of information. The single lecture deals
with citizenship in a general way unless some particular subject is requested.
The short course begins with a general study of the mechanics of local, state, or
national government and continues with their application to the life of the citizen.
The institutes are arranged upon request in co-operation with the Virginia
League of Women Voters or other state organizations. They deal with problems
of a state-wide nature in the field of government and citizenship.
As an indication of the extent of the service rendered by this Bureau, it might
be stated that during 1927-1928 twenty-five single lectures were given before
organizations, four short courses consisting of from three to twelve lectures were
on eight different topics relating to the subject of citizenship and twelve
community discussions were arranged on reports of education commissions.
Supplying answers to specific questions in the field of citizenship and government
is a service of the bureau less conspicuous to report but no less important,
inasmuch as it meets an immediate and pressing need of the individual. In addition
to direct public services the instructor in charge compiles bulletins on phases
of citizenship and government not only for the bureau but also for the Virginia
High School Literary and Athletic League when the subject of debate concerns
government. Similarly the instructor compiles package libraries and bibliographies
on governmental questions.
VI. Package Libraries
The function of this Bureau is to assemble information and reference material
on subjects of current interest for the use of organizations or individuals requesting
such data. The material is furnished at a nominal charge for postage and
packing. Clippings from a number of newspapers and magazines of general appeal
are filed, and bulletins of national and state organizations collected. Especial attention
is given to supplying the needs of members of the Virginia High School
League for material on the subject of the state-wide debate.
VII. Art Extension
To create more general interest in Art and to facilitate a more universal
application of artistic principles in the home and in the public life of the state,
the Division of Extension has established a Bureau of Art Extension. Thus far
its offerings consist chiefly in the loan of exhibits of Medici Prints of famous
paintings to schools, churches and other organizations throughout the state. The
prints are arranged by schools and include reproductions from the Italian, Flemish,
French, English, German and Spanish.
Full descriptions of the exhibits together with the conditions governing their
loan are given in Extension News, Volume IV, Number 13, a copy of which will
be sent upon application to the University Extension Division.
Through the kindness of Mrs. Louise de l'Aigle Reese and the Southern
Woman's Educational Alliance, the Division is permitted to announce for loan
the Louise de l'Aigle Reese Collection of photographs and prints. This exhibit
is under the direction of the Division of Extension during 1927-1928 and 1928-1929.
The exhibit contains photographs and prints of artistic buildings or works collected
during Mrs. Reese's travels abroad. This collection should be of unusual
value to teachers of Art.
| The University of Virginia record March 15, 1929 | |