Page 12 - 1912 May - To Dragma

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 133

OUR CAMPUS

Even the casual visitor is impressed by the beauty of our campus,
by its vast extent, its tall majestic trees, the ivy covered walls, the
dignified simplicity of the buildings, the profusion of flowers, and
the squirrels jumping fearlessly here and there—all these are a
never failing source of pleasant reminiscence to those who recall to
mind our campus.

Altogether there are about thirty buildings on the campus, but
these are so well situated that at no place do they seem crowded
together. The University aims to make the arrangement of the
buildings rectangular, and the new halls that are now in the process
of erection conform to this idea. The buildings, for the most part,
are built on straight and regular lines and because of their size, give
an atmosphere of dignity to the whole campus. Aside from the
disturbance which it creates in the autumn, when the unfortunate
freshmen get their "ducking", that little stream, the "Boneyard",
adds a charm of peacefulness and rusticity which one seldom finds
on a college campus.

Burrill Avenue, named for our vice-president, extends north and
south through the campus, and with the interlacing branches of the
maples which border it, makes a fitting avenue for our elaborate
May Day and Commencement processions.

The outdoor athletic life is well cared for, as is shown by the
well kept tennis courts, golf links, and athletic fields, considered
the best in the Middle West, whose bleachers when filled with
thousands of rooters wildly singing "Illinois Loyalty" and waving
their orange and blue pennants, makes us know that athletics are
the joy of the hearts of U . of I . students.

Our state legislature is very generous, and nearly every year a
liberal appropriation is made for some new building. The Hall of
Commerce and an addition to the Woman's Building are now in
course of construction, and a new Armory is to be erected soon—an
armory which will have a capacity sufficient for twelve hundred
cadets to drill at one time, and w i l l be the largest in the United
States.

The brilliant scarlet of the geraniums and the green of the
maples and birches with the life and activity of the students hurry-
ing to and from classes, makes a spring day seem f u l l of hope and
joy. But when evening comes and everywhere long, irregular sha-
dows are cast, the few stray strollers are conscious of a feeling of
tranquility, of loyalty and love for their college, and as .they look