University Records

[letterhead SAPIENTIA ET DOCTRINA STABILITAS]

1900-01

Arrangements were proposed to the Rev. John Sharp, M.A., late Professor in Morvin College, Quebec, to take up tutorial work in Philosophy and English.

A memorandum from Principal Grant brought up a question of some moment to the University, and which received much attention for several years thereafter. It was a proposal to make such a change in the Constitution of the University as would give the graduates and benefactors a larger share in the Government of the Institution, and would place the Theological Faculty, which had hitherto been a department of the University, under a separate and independent Board appointed by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church.

The matter being one of grave importance, the following representative Committee was appointed "to examine the whole question, and present a report to the Board at its autumn meeting":

"The Chairman, the Chancellor, the Principal, Dr. Campbell, the Moderator of the General Assembly, Dr. Herridge, Dr Milligan, and Messrs. D.B. Maclennan and F.H. Chryster to be the Committee."

And in view of the honorable part taken by the Presbyterian Church in founding Queen's, a clause was added to the Report to the Assembly asking that Court to appoint a Committee to confer with the Committee of the Board.

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1900-01

Reports from the various Faculties were encouraging, and the financial situation was easy enough to allow some additional expenditure on salaries and much needed improvements to the plant, and grounds.

As had been agreed upon, the Committee on Constitutional changes reported in the autumn verbally through the Chairman, answering the questions that had been submitted by the Principal, as follows:

(1) Should the Governing Board of Queen's hereafter be wholly undenominational and representative? Answer: Yes. (2) In that case, how should the Theological Faculty be governed? Ans: By a Board appointed by the General Assembly. (3) Should the students, as in the Scottish Universities, be part of the Corporation, and be represented on the Governing Board by a Rector elected by themselves? Ans: Yes. (4) Should the City of Kingston, as in the case of Edinburgh, be represented by the Mayor, or some one elected by the City Council? Ans: Yes. (5) Should the Provincial Government be represented? Ans: If it sees fit. (6) Should the Secondary Schools of the Province be represented? Ans: Yes. (7) What proportion of the Board should be elected by the graduates, directly, or through the University Council? Ans: Not exceeding one-third.

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1900-01

(8) How should the Benefactors be elected? Ans: By co-operation (not exceeding one-third). (9) Who should be ex-officio members of the Board? Ans.: The Chancellor and Vice Chancellor.

In the course of the year, 15th, July, the Rev. Professor Mowat, D.D., was taken away by death. A distinguished graduate of the University, and afterwards, for 43 years, Professor of Hebrew Language and Literature, and some-time Professor of New Testament and Church History, and also Registrar, his loss was much felt and regretted.

This minute was adopted by the Board of Trustees: "The University mourns the loss of Professor Mowat, the oldest member of the teaching staff, he having served the institution faithfully and long. By his good judgment, modest bearing, and unfailing courtesy, he earned the high regard of his colleagues in the Senate. By his ripe scholarship, painstaking fidelity and enthusiasm for Oriental studies, he begot in his students a taste for the language of the Old Testament, while by the devotedness of his spirit he set before them a highly impressive Christian ideal. By the lofty character he displayed among men generally he bore witness to whatever was just and lovely and of good report, and prepossessed them in favour of the religion which he taught. His memory will be long cherished warmly by all who were brought in contact with him."

The city of Kingston, in consideration of the value of the

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1900-01

University to the place, and also to the Province and the Dominion, made a gift of $50,000.00 to be used in the erection of an additional building which was much needed, and which was, later, named the Kingston Hall. This valuable gift was duly and gratefully acknowledged by the Board, and cordial thanks given to the city, and to all the friends who had helped in the undertaking. Steps were, at once, taken by the Board to proceed to the erection of the building, which, when completed, would be the home of the Faculty of Arts.

The School of Mining, successful from the first, having out-grown its quarters, the Board of Governors submitted the following proposition to the Trustees:

(1) That if Queen's University would erect a building suitable for the use of the School, to be erected from plans satisfactory to the University, the School of Mining, and the Lieutenant Governor in Council, said building to cost, exclusive of the site $30,000 to $40,000, the Board of Governors, of the School, would agree to lease said building for the space of ninety-nine years, paying therefor as rental 6% on the cost of construction, the Lessors to keep said building in repair. (2) In the event of a Power House and Plant being erected as contemplated by the University, the Governors of the School of Mining will be prepared to pay the cost of supplying power, heat and light to the Mining School Buildings, the amount to be equitably adjusted by agreement between the parties.

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1900-01

The government of the Province had granted the annual rental of the new building asked for.

The Board of the University, by resolution, agreed to consider carefully the proposal of the School of Mining, as set forth in the resolution of its Governors and the Building Committee, with the addition of the Chairman, was to take such action as might be deemed advisable.

The pressure for more room was becoming general. The next call came from the Medical Department, asking that the building occupied by it be enlarged at a cost of about $10,000, building arrangements and management to be mutually agreed upon by the University and the Medical Faculty. Terms were accepted.

After careful consideration of the proposal of the School of Mining, as to the building required, the Board instructed the Finance Committee, with the addition of Professor Dupuis and Goodwin, to proceed with the enlargement of said building, on the terms set forth in their resolutions.

Next, comes the weighty question of the suggested change in the Constitution of the University.

A Convention of the Trustees, Senate, Council, Graduates, Alumni and Benefactors of the University, was held Nov. 12, 1900, to consider the proposed changes in the Charter which were submitted by the Trustees at the last General Assembly; and it was resolved as follows:

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