UA-R-GC-1914-01-01-1924-10-25_Page-010

1 Appendix A. 229 REPORT Of Dr. Charles R. tatson, As President To The Trustees of the American University at Cairo Cairo, Egypt. October 7, 1924. Gentlemen: A. year ago I was with you at the meeting of your Board and reported to you orally. I have before me nay report of two years ado which was, like this one, a formal written report. It is interesting to note the changes which two years have brought, most of them, I am glad to say, in the direction of pregress and more satisfactory conditions. Two years ago political unrest was much more marked than today. Two years ago our general feeling was that of uncertainty and insecurity as to our policy in such directions as the most desirable college curriculum, the most satisfactory form of religious influence, the wisest course for developing the School of Oriental Studies. Today, in all these directions we enjoy a sense of experience and assurance which, while, far from implying that we are no longer learners, contrasts most gratifyingly with our situation of two years ago. Furthermore, our entire work has gained in importance and size. Our staff of permanent men now numbers nine instead of seven; our College catalogue of two years ago was a leaflet of eight pages, it now occupies twenty-eight pages; two years ago were just establishing our University library, today it claims two rooms with quite a respectable array of shelves loaded with carefully selected books, some seven thousand in number; our chemistry and physics laboratories reveal considerable equipment added during the past two years while a bare beginning has also been made with a biological laboratory and equipment; our scale of expenditures has risen (a fact not so pleasant to reflect upon) from some $87,000.00 to some $103,000.00; two years ago we discussed a hostel, today we have one. All of these facts indicate a commendable growth of the work,-- enough to encourage, even if not enough to satisfy. Taking up in greater detail the work of the several departments I shall limit myself to a few outstanding comments and observations on the work. I shall likewise set forth with candour our regrets, fears, and disappointments, since it is the right of the Trustees to know the difficulties as well as the successes, and this report is indeed a confidential report to the Trustees. 1. THE POLITICAL SITUATION: You are aware that the British have already granted many con-cessions to Egypt in the direction of self-direction and independence. Among these are: The withdrawal of the British Protectorate. The recognition of Fuad I. as king. The acceptance of Egypt's new Constitution