PENNSYLVANIA. UNIVERSITY OF. An in stitution of higher learning in Philadelphia, Pa., established in 1740 as a charitable school, and raised to the grade of an academy in 1751 tln•uugh the efforts of an association of citizens formed in consequence of a pamphlet published by Benjamin Franklin, entitled, "Proposals Rela tive to the Education of Youth in Pennsylvania." The academy, consisting of an English, a mathe matical, and a Latin school, each under a ma*ter, with subordinate tutors and ushers, proved so successful that in 1753 it received a charter from the Proprietors, Thomas and Richard Penn. Two years later it had attained a standard which justified the granting of degree conferring powers, and in 1755 the institution was converted into the College and Academy of Philadelphia. Dur ing the agitated times of the wars with the French the provost, Rev. William Smith, opposed so vehemently the non-resistance policy of the Pennsylvania Legislature that be was arbitrarily thrown into prison, where he faithfully received his classes. He was subsequently sent to England to raise funds for an endowment, and there met the counnissiono• from King's (Columbia) Col lege on a similar mission. Tln•ough the influence of the Archbishop of Canterblo•y they received a circular letter from the King, and succeeded in raising a considerable endowment for each cob lege. On Doctor Smith's return a letter to the trustees from the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas and Richard Penn, and Rev. Samuel Chandler represented that the institution was originally founded and carried on for the benefit of a mixed hotly of people; that at the time of making the collection its officers included repre sentatives of various Clu•isti:oi denominations; and, since jealousies had arisen between parties, it was recommended to the trustees to make a fundamental declaration to prevent inconveniences of this kind. Accordingly, in 1764, the trustees bound themselves and their successors to retain the original wide plan of the institution and "to use their utmost endeavors that the same be not narrowed, nor the members of the Church of England, or those dissenting from them (in any future election to the principal offices), be put on any worse footing in this Femin a ry than they were at the time of receiving the royal brief." In 1779 this resolution was construed by the Legis lature into a "narrowing of the foundation," and seized as a pretext for confiscating all the rights and properties of the college, which were be stowed upon a new organization, called in the charter the "Trustees of the University of the State of Pennsylvania." Ten years later thest
rights and properties were restored, and in 1791 an act was passed amalgamating the old college with the new university under its present title. In 1372 the university was removed to the pres ent site.
The departments of the university are the col lege, including the School of Arts, the Towne Scientific School, and the courses for teachers; the Departments of Philosophy (Graduate School), Law, Dentistry, Veterinary Medi cine, and Arelneology; the Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology; the Laboratory of Hygiene; the Veterinary Hospital; the Li brary, and the Flower Astronomical Observa tory; Physical Education. The School of Arts offers courses in arts and science, finance and commerce, biology and music. The Towne Scientific School offers courses in architecture, .science and technology, mechanical, electrical, civil ; and chemical engineering, and chem istry. Candidates are admitted on passing the examination set by the college. or lov the Entrance Examination Board of the Middle States and Maryland, or on the diplomas of the public high schools. Free tuition is offered through the 2 Penn scholarships, filled by the Governor of the State, 50 Philadelphia free city scholarships, 5 competitive State scholarships, a General Alumni Society scholarship, and 31 scholarships not confined to special localities. The college courses in arts and sciences, finance and commerce. and biology are planned to enable the student to complete his work in three, four, or five years, at his option, the successful comple tion of 60 units of work being required for gradu ation. Students are not permitted to take less than 12 units a year, a unit being defined as one hour's work a week for one year in lectures or recitations, or two hours' work a week in labor atory practice. In the course in arts and sci ences the prescribed studies amount to 22 units and group studies to 15 units. the remaining 20 units being made up of free electives. Provision is made for a senior composite year in which eight units are credited to the work of the first year class in medicine. In the Scientific School, the architectural course covers four years. The courses in science and technology cover five years. The Graduate Department offers eight scholarships on the Harrison Foundation, en titling the holder to free tuition and an income of $100. 30 university scholarships, providing only free tuition. and 29 fellowships. with in comes ranging from $200 to :3800. The Gradu ate Department for women offers 5 fellowships.