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The first consideration given to the granting of advanced degrees was
in 1897. The following year faculty rules were established covering
the award of the master and professional degrees. These were approved
by the Trustees but amended to include the doctor of science
degree. Because of the large immediate demand for such degrees, a
special committee was organized to consider applications. The first
advanced degree awarded in June, 1898, was that of Mechanical Engineer
to George I. Rockwood, '88. Arthur D. Butterfield, '93, George
S. Gibbs, '96, Harry E. Gough, '97, and Ellery B. Paine, '97, earned
the first degrees of Master of Science.
Student-faculty relations during this period were fairly cordial, but
there was an occasional rift. The torrid McKinleyBryan election
contest of 1896 was the cause of the most serious conflict. Students
built a huge bonfire the Saturday night before election, an act that
was condemned by Dr. Mendenhall, who forbade any further show of
enthusiasm. The ban was violated on election night. Another bonfire
flood-lighted the Hill. Next day a paper was circulated among the
students, demanding that each sign it as a declaration of his
innocence. Incomplete returns resulted in the suspension of
twenty-three. The final action was to suspend twelve students until
Christmas and to put eighteen others on probation.
Another flurry, in the spring of 1896, was aroused by the abduction of
Harry C. Smith, sophomore class president, by members of the junior
class. The faculty promptly demanded a pledge from all classes that
thenceforth there would be no interference by one class with the
operations of another. Suspected collusion in examinations also caused
occasional trials, some of which were long drawn out. Five juniors
were dismissed for apparent cheating in June, 1900. In the fall their
class adopted a resolution condemning cribbing, in recognition of
which noble gesture the faculty reinstated the five as special
students on probation.
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