The committee of arrangements on the part of the Regents were Chancellor Pruyn, Governor Seymour, Mr. Benedict, Mr. Hawley, Mr. Clinton, Mr. Perkins, and Secretary Woolworth. The meeting was held according to appointment, on the 4th and 5th days of August, 1863. Chancellor Pruyn briefly stated the objects entertained by the Regents, which were mainly "to consider the mutual relations of Colleges and Academies, and to promote, as largely as possible, the cause of liberal education in our State." While it is a part of the duty of the Regents of the University to visit the fourteen2 literary Colleges, and more than two hundred Academies subject to their supervision, it is obvious that this cannot be done as frequently as desirable, and that some such method as is now proposed whereby teachers may compare views with each other, and with the Regents, and discuss methods of instruction and general modes of procedure, is alike practicable and necessary. "A law enacted more than three-fourths of a century ago was cited, by which the University was organized and clothed with powers similar to those held by the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford in England. "The University of the State of New York, though generally regarded as a legal fiction, is, in truth, a grand reality. The numerous institutions of which it is composed are not, indeed, as in England, crowded into a single city, but are scattered, for popular convenience, The Regents in their report presented March 5, 1863, after referring to the general condition of the Colleges and Academies of the State, made the following allusion to the proposed Convocation, which was as yet but an untried experiment. "More effectually to influence the character of both of these classes of institutions, the Regents propose, at some convenient time during the present year, to invite the officers of the Colleges and Academies to a joint convention, to discuss the philosophy of education, and its application to methods of instruction, and to unite their efforts in systematic means of perfecting the Academic and Collegiate edu cation of the State. This proposal has been received with expressions of warm approbation by officers of the Colleges, and we have no doubt that it will be responded to with equal cordiality by those of the Academies. Institutions for elevating the character of instruction in the Common Schools, and exciting the teachers to higher professional qualifications have proved efficient and successful agents in that department of education. Public opinion has settled into an absolute convic tion of their value, and they have been adopted by legislative enactment into the Common School system of the State. Not less important results are confidently anticipated from the proposed Convention, the realization of which the Regents hope to be able to communicate to the Legislature at their next annual report." What was thus expressed in hope has since been realized in history, and the annual reports of the Regents, commencing with that of 1864, have given the proceedings of these convocations. 2 Now twenty three (1882). over the entire State. It is hoped that the present meeting will more fully develop this fact, in accordance with which the officers of Colleges and Academies now convened are cordially welcomed as members of a great State University. It is also confidently expected that the deliberations now inaugurated will result in the more intimate alliance and co-operation of the various institutions holding chartered rights under the Regents of the University." The Chancellor and Secretary of the Regents were, on motion, duly elected presiding and recording officers of the meeting. A committee, subsequently made permanent for the year, and designated as the executive committee, was appointed by the Chancellor to prepare an order of proceedings. Among other recommendations of the committee, the following were submitted and unanimously adopted: The Regents of the University of this State have called the present meeting of the officers of the Colleges and Academies subject to their visitation, for the purpose of mutual consultation respecting the cause of education, especially in the higher departments. It becomes a question of interest whether this convention shall assume a permanent form and meet at stated intervals, either annually, biennially or triennially. In the opinion of the committee it seems eminently desirable that the Regents and the instructors in the Colleges and Academies should thus meet, with reference to the attainment of the following objects: 1st. To secure a better acquaintance among those engaged in these departments of instruction, with each other and with the Regents. 2d. To secure an interchange of opinions on the best methods of instruction in both Colleges and Academies; and as a consequence, 3d. To advance the standard of education throughout the State. 4th. To adopt such common rules as may seem best fitted to promote the harmonious workings of the State system of education. 5th. To consult and co-operate with the Regents in devising and executing such plans of education as the advanced state of the population may demand. 6th. To exert a direct influence upon the people and the Legislature of the State personally and through the press, so as to secure such an appreciation of a thorough system of education, together with such pecuniary aid and legislative enactments, as will place the institutions here represented in a position worthy of the population and resources of the State. And for the attainment of these objects, the committee recommend the adoption of the following resolutions: Resolved, That this meeting of officers of Colleges and Academies be hereafter known and designated as "The University Convocation of the State of New York." Resolved, That the members of this Convocation shall embrace, 1. The members of the Board of Regents. 2. All instructors in Colleges, Normal Schools, Academies and higher departments of public schools that are subject to the visitation of the Regents, and (by amendment of 1868) the trustees of all such institutions. 3. The president, first vice-president, and the recording and corresponding secretaries of the New York State Teachers' Association. Resolved, That the Chancellor and Secretary of the Board of Regents shall act severally as the presiding officer and permanent secretary of the Convocation. Resolved, That the meeting of the Convocation shall be held annually, in the city of Albany, on the first Tuesday in August [see amendment], at 10 o'clock, A. M., unless otherwise appointed by the Board of Regents. [Amended, in 1873, as to the time of meeting, by making it the first Tuesday after the Fourth of July, except when the Fourth occurs on Monday, in which case it shall be the second Tuesday thereafter.] Resolved, That at each annual Convocation the Chancellor shall announce the appointment, by the Regents, of an executive committee of seven members, who shall meet during the recess of the Convocation, at such time and place as the Regents may direct, with authority to transact business connected with its general object. At the fourth anniversary, held August 6th, 7th and 8th, 1867, it was Resolved, That the Regents be requested to invite the attendance of representatives of Colleges of other States at future anniversaries of the Convocation. At the fifth anniversary, held August 4th, 5th and 6th, 1868, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted: Resolved, That there be appointed by the Chancellor, at each annual meeting, a committee of necrology, to consist of three persons. Resolved, That it shall be the duty of each member of the Corvocation to notify the chairman of the committee of necrology of the decease of members occurring in their immediate neighborhood or circle of acquaintance, as an assistance to the preparation of their report. Resolved, That the Secretary publish, with the report of each year's proceedings, the original resolutions of 1863, as they are or may be from time to time amended, together with the two foregoing, as a means of better informing the members of the Convocation in regard to its nature and the purposes of its organization. On the 11th of April, 1879, the Regents passed the following ordinance relative to the University Convocation. The Regents of the University of the State of New York declare and ordain as follows: SECTION 1. The University Convocation hitherto existing is hereby constituted and established as the Convocation of the University of the State of New York, and shall continue to be called and known by the style of "The University Convocation." It shall consist of such members of the Board of Regents of the University and such instructors, officers and trustees of the several Colleges, Academies and other seminaries subject to the visitation of the Regents and constituent members of the University, as shall at the time being attend. The purpose of the Convocation shall be to secure an interchange of opinions on the subject of education and of literature, science and art, and to advance their standard in this State; to harmonize the workings of the State system of education; and, by essays, treatises, discussions and resolutions, on subjects connected with literature, science and art and with the credit, interest and welfare of the University and the institutions composing it, to recommend to such institutions and to the Regents, for their consideration, such action as may be expedient and lawful. § 2. The Convocation shall meet in the city of Albany, at the Capitol, on the first Tuesday after the Fourth of July, except when the Fourth occurs on Monday, in which case it shall be the second Tuesday thereafter, or at such other time and place as may be directed by the Regents. A quorum shall consist of those present at any actual sitting of the Convocation. The Board of Regents shall always be in session during the meeting of the Convocation, with such recesses of the Regents and of the Convocation as may be expedient. The Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor and the Secretaries of the Regents shall be the presiding officers and Secretaries of the Convocation, with power to substitute others to perform their duties respectively, pro tempore, not longer than one day. 3. At the time of the Convocation shall be held the annual. Commencement of the University, and such degrees as may be ordered by the Regents shall be then publicly announced and conferred by the Chancellor, except when the Regents shall otherwise provide. The Convocation thus began has been since annually assembled at the State Capitol, the Chancellor being uniformly the presiding officer, and the Secretary of the Board of Regents their Secretary. The meeting of 1884 was made one of unusual interest from its being held on the centennial year of the first establishment of a Board of Regents, which gave a proper opportunity for reviewing the principal educational events of the century, as they had passed under the notice of the Board, or had been enacted under its impulse. These proceedings are given elsewhere in connection with this publi cation. The following catalogue of papers published in the annual reports of the Convocation of the State of New York University prove convenient in referring to these proceedings. INDEX TO PAPERS READ BEFORE THE UNIVERSITY CONVOCATION OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. [In 1864, the paging of the Convocation proceedings was separate from that of the Regents' Report. This practice was continued in the separate edition for several years; but in the following Index the paging refers (after 1864) to the proceedings as found in the full Annual Reports. The years are those in which the Reports were printed, and one year after the year in which the papers were read. The Index does not include references to the proceedings in 1884.] Abstract of Reports on Decimal Systems of Weights and Measures. By Rodney G. Kimball, A. M., Professor of Mathematics in the State Normal School, 1866, p. 119. Academic Diplomas, 1855, p. 120. Academic Education in the State of New York One Hundred Years Academic Examinations, Report on, 1871, p. 546, 1884, p. 291. Academies and Secondary Education. By A. C. Hill, Principal of Academic Libraries. By Professor J. H. Gilmore of the University of Rochester, 1884, p. 86. Academies and their Work. By James M. Sprague. Principal of the New Berlin Academy, 1873, p. 517. Academies. By Joseph Alden, LL. D., of New York State Normal School, 1870, p. 517. Academies, Legislative Grants and Franchises to, 1873, p. 681. Academies. (See Co-Relation of Academies, etc.) Academies. (See Literary Exercises in Academies. (See Normal Departments in -.) -·) Academies. (See Normal Instruction in), 1869, p. 732. Academies. (See Value the, and Means of Literary Culture.) Academies. (See Whole Work, the, of —.) Academy (the) in its relation to the work of Common Schools. By Principal John W. O'Brien, A. B., of the Griffith Institute, Springville, 1875, p. 711. Accent, the value of, in Greek Verse. By Professor Isaac Flagg, Ph. D., of Cornell University, 1879, p. 549. |