TUESDAY MORNING NOTES - May 22, 2012

[Jeff Silvertooth]

TMN submittal:
http://cals.arizona.edu/extension/tuesday/form/submittal_form.html 

Tuesday Morning Notes 

May 22, 2012

 

 

FROM THE DIRECTOR:

 

In less than two weeks we will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the
Morrill Act (aka the "Land-grant College Act") which was signed into law by
Abraham Lincoln on June 2, 1862.  This single piece of legislation put on
track the development of public "land-grant" institutions in every state of
the union including the University of Arizona.  In CALS, we have all been
spending a lot of time and energy lately working on our strategic plans
regarding our future for the next 10 years.  However, I think it is also
very important for us to stop and review our history, consider where we have
come from, and how we have come to be in the form that we see today at the
UA and CALS.

 

The early 1860's marked a significant period in our nation's history.  Not
only was the U.S. embroiled in the Civil War, but this period also witnessed
the implementation of several important pieces of legislation.  The U.S.
Congress had been gridlocked since the 1850's due primarily to the political
divisions associated with slavery.  In 1862 Abraham Lincoln was elected
President and 11 southern states seceded from the Union, after which
Congress began to move.

On May 15, 1862 Abraham Lincoln signed legislation creating a Department of
Agriculture.  Then on May 20, Congress passed the Homestead Act which had a
huge impact on the settlement of the western lands of the U.S.  The
Homestead Act provided for the eligibility of a purchase of 160 acres of
land for $18 by people living on and farming the land for five years.  Any
citizen or intended citizen was eligible if they had never taken up arms
against the U.S., including female heads of households, and African
Americans who became citizens under the 14th Amendment.  Unfortunately, the
Homestead Act provided for the displacement of the Native Americans.

 

The Morrill Act was passed and signed by President Lincoln on June 2, 1862
providing for the foundation of land-grant universities in every state of
the union with the basic purpose of developing public universities in each
state to "educate the populace in agriculture, home economics, mechanical

arts, and other professions."

 

The basic foundation and philosophy associated with the formation of the
land-grant institutions can be traced back to the thinking of Thomas
Jefferson in the very early years of the 19th century that were perhaps best
developed in his writings on the "General Diffusion of Knowledge."  In these
writings he pointed to the need of a progressive republic to have a
well-educated voting population.  In the early 1800's higher education was
available only to the very wealthy class of citizens.  Thus, Jefferson saw
the need for public institutions to provide an affordable college education
to the general population.  He also called for the need of these public
institutions to "bring science to bear on practical problems."

 

With the implementation of the Morrill Act in 1862, we can see the
connection to Jefferson's ideas and the root of the public institutions,
such as the UA that we have today.  The more complete development of the
land-grant model took place with the signing of the Hatch Act in 1887 that
provided for the formation of the Agricultural Experiment Stations
associated with each land-grant institution.  This was followed by the
completion of the Smith-Lever Act of 1914 that established a system of
Cooperative Extension services associated with each of the land-grant
universities.

 

It is my contention that the land-grant institution model is still entirely
relevant to modern American society in the 21st century, consistent with the
early visions of Thomas Jefferson.  We still need a well-educated populace
and the 21st century problems certainly require the application of good

science and technology.  The land-grant model we have today with the
capacity of directing strong degree programs (Academic Programs), the
development of robust research programs (Agricultural Experiment Station),
and the bridging and engagement with the university and the public
(Extension system) are absolutely critical features in this type of public
institution.  This is a university model that is envied in many parts of the
world and it should be worthy of the public and our efforts to strengthen
and build organizations such as CALS for the future needs of our society.

 

FACULTY CONFERENCE:

 

I am pleased to announce that there will be a CALS Extension Conference
scheduled for August 15-17.  Both on- and off-campus Extension faculty, as
well as Program Coordinators (at the direction of their County Directors),
are invited to attend.  A planning committee is being formed and more
details will follow.

 

 

Jeffrey C. Silvertooth
Associate Dean

Director for Economic Development & Extension
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
PO Box 210036
Tucson, AZ  85721-0036
520.621.7205
520.621.1314 (fax)

 

To submit tips, suggestions, ideas for changes and anything that could help
us be more effective, use  the "Director
<http://extension.arizona.edu/state/directors-suggestion-box> 's Suggestion
Box" - all submissions are anonymous.  

 

 

 

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