Part 20 (1/2)

4. Community work.

(a) Extension activities carried on by the school, (b) The efficiency of these activities.

5. Attendance.

(a) Number of students enrolled on date of visit.

(b) Number in attendance on date of visit.

(c) What efforts are being made to get the students to enter at the beginning of the term and remain throughout the year?

SUGGESTIONS

1. Before concluding its visit the committee should make, to proper persons in the school, suggestions concerning the improving of the teaching and of other things as may be necessary.

2. If committee makes a second visit, see to what extent the suggestions of the previous visit have been carried out.

REPORT

After each visit a written report by the committee covering all of the above shall be sent to Princ.i.p.al Was.h.i.+ngton.

To all the graduates of the Inst.i.tute Mr. Was.h.i.+ngton sent a circular letter on the first of each year in which frequently he told them of the progress that had been made by the school during the year in improvements, number of students enrolled, etc., and asked them in turn to answer a list of questions about their life and work, or sometimes in such letters he merely wished them success and gave them some practical advice. The 1913 letter which follows is an example of the latter:

_Tuskegee Inst.i.tute, Alabama,_ _January 1, 1913._

_Dear Mr. (or Miss) Blank:_

I take this opportunity to send you greetings, to inquire how you are getting along, and to express the hope that in every way you are prospering. If, however, you are having discouragements, I trust that you are meeting them bravely.

If you have difficulties, or are laboring under disadvantages, use them as stepping-stones to success.

I again call your attention to the importance of keeping in touch with the Inst.i.tute. Keeping your address on file with us and sending a report of your work will a.s.sist in doing this. I enclose herewith a blank for that purpose. Visits to the school should also be made from time to time. You should begin to prepare now to be here during the coming commencement exercises in May in order that you may see what is being done at the inst.i.tution and to meet your former cla.s.smates. Already the officers of the General Alumni a.s.sociation have begun preparations for your welcome.

I urge upon you the importance of keeping up the habit of study and of reading good books and papers. The accompanying circular on ”How to Buy Books” gives valuable suggestions about how to secure the best books cheaply. I take this occasion to inform you that already we are making preparations for our 1913 Summer School. It is hoped that every graduate who is teaching will attend this or some other good summer school.

I trust that wherever you are located you will do all that you can for community uplift. Be active in church and Sunday-school work, help to improve the public schools, a.s.sist in bettering health conditions, help the people to secure property, to buy homes and to improve them. In doing all these things, you will be carrying out the Tuskegee idea.

Very truly yours,

[Signed] BOOKER T. WAs.h.i.+NGTON, Princ.i.p.al.

The questions were slightly varied from year to year. The following were those sent out with the 1915 letter--the last to bear the signature of the Inst.i.tute's founder.

Please favor me by answering these questions and returning the blank as soon as you receive it.

1. Your full name when at Tuskegee?

2. What year were you graduated from Tuskegee?

3. Your present home address?

4. If you are not at home, your temporary address for the winter of 1915-1916?

5. If you have married, your wife's name before marriage?

Was she ever a student at Tuskegee?

Is she living?