4rMtr4gan Iaitty SUNDAY MAGAZINE ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 1922 The Business of Running the University (By G. E. Sloan) of dollars, and whose prestige and versity and the Trustees of the Agri- interests of the University but func- A manufacturing concern doing a reputation are priceless. cultural College cannot be interfered tions distinct and separate from the business of a million dollars a year is 'How, then, is this huge eleven mil- with in the management of funds at academic side, and is responsible to hlion dollar "business" administrated? the disposal of the institution has the president and the Board of Re- considered a successfsl and highly Who runs it? How is it organized? been formally approved by the Su- gents. It is with this latter division important cog in the world's busi- Who is the "business manager" of the preme Court in several cases, and may of the maintenance of the University ness. The University of Michigan, in- University of Michigan, the man upon be regarded as settled. that I shall deal. eluding its present building program, whose shoulders rest the responsibil- An outline of the organization of The secretary of the University is has an annual income and expendi- ity for the success or failure of the the University, then, would begin the responsible head of the whole com- ture of several times that. More than whole administrative structure? with the people and from them would plicated business organization of the In a strict sense it is not a "busi- extend the line of power to the Re- institution. In a sense his important a quarter of a million dollars is ex- ness," but it has difficulties and differ- gents. The Regents are a body of office is incorrectly termed. "Busi- pended every year for equipment ences peculiar to such, a tremendous eight men elected for a term of eight ness Manager of the University of alone, and the present annual pay- and vital property owned by the years, two members of the board being Michigan" might be more correct. roll is more than $2,700,000. It takes people of the State of Michigan, car- elected every two years. In this way Upon him falls the responsibility of ried on under the watchful care and not more than two new members can keeping the huge system running smore than three full pages of the an- administration of eight public spirited ever come on the board at the same smoothly and functioning efficiently. nual financial report to list the loca- men, serving without pay, and wield- time, except in case of death or resig- The treasurer has complete author- tions of all real estate owned by the ing their great power under the con- nation, and a reasonable certain con- ity and responsibility for all monies University. The University rents stitution of the state-the Regents. tinuity of policy is assured. There of the University, and must, of neces- houses, furnishes its own light and The honor of doing good things be- are two additional members of the sity, be a man of highest integrity and fore anyone else did them has been Board of Regents ex-officio: (1) The rigid honesty, heat, runs a large modern laundry accorded the University of Michigan president of the University, and (2) The purchasing agent, who is also maintains several museums, an ob- many times, but in no other one thing the state superintendent of public in- assistant secretary, has numerous du- servatory, athletic grounds and gym- has this honor of priority been more struction. Neither the president nor ties, the most important of which is nasiums, sewers, ware-houses, an effective for the good of the University the superintendent has a vote, although the buying for the University than in the foresight of those far-see- the president presides at the meetings. The business of the general offices electric railway, a complete power ing founders of our stateeducational From the president, as head of the is analagous to that of a head office transmission system, a photographic systin who made the Board of Re- University, the line of authority di- with eighty or ninety sub-corporations, shop, a complete tin-shop, iron shop, gents of the University of Michigan vides sharply into two general each doing a separate business, but carpenter shop, electrical shop, and a Constitutional corporation, not sub- branches: the academic, and the busi- for which the head office buys the pumbing shop, even maintains a com- ject to, but coordinate with, the Leg- ness or financial side of the University. goods they requisition and maintains islature, each body having certain The former line branches out into the records enabling each corporation to plicated system of underground tun specified duties. Under the constitu- various faculties with their deans, the know at any time how much balance nels serving all buildings of the Uni- tion of the state of Michigan the man, library and librarian, the various mu- remains to its credit. The purchasing versity and big enough for a full- agement of the University is wholly seums and their curators, and the and accounting are in large measure grown man to walk through, were he in the hands of the Regents, while it whole side of University life ordinar- centralized in the secretary's office, is the duty of the Legislature to main- ily seen by students. and the public. although in such large sub-depart- so disposed. tain the University. In this way the The other line separates into the ments as the department of building What a huge task it must be to run University is administered by men di- various activities by which the acad- and grounds, the hospitals, and the effiiciently and economically such a rectly elected from, and by, the people emic side of the University is relieved library, a considerable amount of the business, which is for, but distinct of the state for the particular pur- of responsibilities and duties for accounting must be done where the from, the academic side of the Univer- pose of conducting this institution which it has neither the time nor the business is done. Probably the most which stands at the head of the school necessary specialized training. This important exception is that the pur- sity, an institution whose value in system of the state. In Michigan the work of business administration exists chasing of books for the library is money is more than eleven millions principle that the Regents of the Uni- solely for the benefit of the academic (Continued on Page 2) Religion--Some Doubt and Some Don't (By Agnes Holmquist) questioning natural to people of col- beliefs and we get nothing from it, the To get a little closer to the campus Just for personal satisfaction alge age, and even more so-on a uni- rest of the service has an aesthetic it is interesting to note the opinion versity campus where everything is value for us that is closely related of a graduate of the University who well as for the enlightenment of questioned. Discussing the question, to religious value, is at present instructing in the science trusting but anxious parents, it would he says: "If by religion you mean :'Considering the situation here, it department. be interesting to know exactly what prayers, singing hymns and going to seems only necessary that the minis- "Ignorant, illiterate people are al- effect a thorough education, particu- church, the churches can give you ters make a closer connection be- ways superstitious and consequently larly a scientific one, has on the re- fstatiics. Buvery phaereligion shoud tm ht theyeach ad wht s religious. It would be a great deal funcionin veryphae o lif. Wlhsing taught on campus, in order to btter if we got rid of all religions ligion of the student. In all prob- have made the mistake of separating attract the students." aeated e otr a telanimas ability the question can never be set-} religion from life too much. A combi- "at treated eah oter the anima tied satisfactorily. The atheist willj nation of philosophy, sociology, and "dcto anthrs rarlg htw r.Mni h nyals economics may produce a man morally ion," declared the Rev. A. W. Stalker on earth that kills merely for the joy always be passed off with, "Oh, well,! i of the Methodist church. "As a proof of killing,-and still he lays claim to he was always queer," or, as some ing the man a constant consciousness of the fact, we have several all 'A'! morals. What good have religions say, "He has a religion that he isn't of a personal God. students enrolled in our membership. done? The worst crimes and bloodi- But religion today must appeal to the est wars in history have been com- conscious of." As for the man who "Science and religion are not antag- intellect. We can't hold a religion nutted in the name of religion, finally adopts a religion after his onistic. What we know of psychology until we first accept it with our mind. "There is little hope of curing stormy doubting college days are over, so far, points to the fact that we can "It is true that religious doctrine people of religion so long as the fear It will always be a matter of conjec- work out a scientific religion. In fact has little influence here, but the great of the unknown exists. Man is liter- how art fear of the n-it has become necessary to make re- vital convictions of Christianity, of ally afraid to believe that there is not tre large a part ligion scientific as we study every- the nature of the duties of life are as - a God. He has a sneaking suspicion known played in his decision. But I thing now from the scientific point of strong here as ever. The challenge that there may be a hell-fire, and it is am concerned more with the true state view, and unless we do, religion must of the life here makes a more positive best not to take the chance. of religion among the students, than be lost to the scientific mind." religious life in one who takes it "As for the question whether certain Mr. J. D. Finisyson of the psycho- seriously." with the existence of a Deity. Even rhstudents continue to doubt after grad- logy department, also refused to con- So much for the sunny side, except uation, it all depends on the individ- here we meet a handicap. The mi- ider the condition of disbelief on that one might add a denial of the ual. Some students who have athe- nority of non-conformists, through campus a serious one. opinion that religion can be worked istic tendencies now will give them up policy, will seldom speak for publica- "A child's religion," he said, "is al- out scentifically. Father M. C. Burke because they are too weak to keep tion,-and the majority were never ways one of authority. Then our of the Catholic church said, "It is them. Some, the stronger ones, will said to be the most intelligent. studies cause us to question,-and be- ridiculous to attempt to build up a keep up their cynical attitude, al- cause we cannot accept certain dog- religion on a scientific basis,-a basis though they may be merely agnostic. optimlstically, Dr. T. I. Iden of mas, we think we are irreligious. But that is necessarily a constantly shift- While others will simply not bother Lane hall, declared doubting and even if the sermon is contrary to our ing one." (Continued on Page 2)