Text III. Read the text to yourself and suggest the title.

In the early 19-th century Oxford and Cambridge were the only two universities in England. The cost of education at these universities was so high that only the sons of the wealthier classes could afford to attend. But more restrictive still were the religious tests; only Church of England members could attend. It was to overcome these limitations that in 1827, in Gower Street, London, a non-denominational college, “University College” was founded. Its first years were years of struggle for survival against hostile forces of Church and State. The “godless” college was opposed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Prime Minister, The Duke of Willington, who in 1831 opened a rival institution-King’s College.

In 1836 these two institutions, University College and King’s through a typically English compromise joined forces. Each retained the control of its own internal organization, faculty, and teaching; a separate body, the University of London, was created to “conduct the examination of, and to confer degrees upon, their students”. Thus was born the University of London.

In the early years a candidate for the University of London was forced to attend either University College or King’s, but in 1849 it became possible for an institution situated “anywhere in the British Empire to present students for degrees”- a unique provision. In 1858 the regulations were further broadened so that now anyone anywhere may sit for U. of L. examination provided that he/she satisfies Matriculation requirements. Consequently there are Africans who have U. or L. degrees who have never seen London.

The long reign of Victoria saw many and rapid changes in the University. Medical schools of the various teaching hospitals, Bedford College for women, Imperial College of Science and Technology, and many other schools and colleges became a part of the federal university. The famed London School of Economics was a newcomer in 1895.

Up untill 1900 the University was only an examining body but in that year an Act of Parliament permitted that “The Senate… may provide lecture rooms, museums, laboratories, workshops, and other facilities for the purpose both of teaching and research”. This allowed the first actual teaching on any level; however, the Senate has never invaded the undergraduate field, except specialized subjects.

In many ways the University has departed from traditions of Oxford and Cambridge. London was the first to abolish religious tests, to admit women in England for degrees, to grant degrees without residence. The following names are associated with the University of London: Sir Alex Fleming, Thomas Huxley, Thomas Arnold, Michael Faraday, etc.

Text III. STUDENT LIFE AND CUSTOMS.

We lack sufficient evidence to make many statements about student life in ancient times. It was in the medieval universities that we first hear of those student groups which gave colour to a real student life such as we know it. The freshman was then, as until recently in our own colleges and universities, the particular object of attack on the part of those who had been in the institution longer than he. He was likely to be waylaid and thoroughly pummeled before arrival.

A master who delivered his lecture too rapidly was interrupted with all kinds of noises. The lecture-rooms were wholly unheated in winter and the windows unglazed. The floors were covered with straw on which the students sat. The rooms in which the students lodged were equally uncomfortable and the sanitary arrangements negligible. The ecclesiastical gowns which they were required to wear afforded them scant protection against cold, unless they were fortunate enough to be able to buy furs. Many of the students were well-to-do and others extremely poor. The poorer students frequently begged and were sometimes officially licensed to do so.

So many of their natural inclinations for the amusements and sports of youth were repressed by strict prohibitions that the natural consequences followed. Not having any outlet for their youthful spirits, they indulged in riotous conduct. Brawls amongst the individual students and those of different national groups were frequent, and occasionally a whole group of them would get into conflict with the town-folk, so that “Town and Gown” fights became infamous. As the students as well as the town-folk went about armed, these battles frequently ended in bloodshed and death.

The hold, which student customs have, brought many of them down into modern times, not only in Europe but also in America. Curious survivals in the treatment of freshmen, fagging, the conflict between the freshmen and the sophomores represented at Harvard until a short time ago by “Bloody Monday Night”, and at other colleges by cane rushes, bear witness to this conservatism.

The popularizing of college education and removal by university authorities of many of the restrictions on the natural impulses of youth for activity have led to the gradual disappearance of the many so-called medieval customs. In their place has grown up a bewildering variety of activities for the student, which form a large part of his life. A perusal of the daily or weekly paper, or monthly, or annual periodicals published by the students reveals not only the literary activity, but in the notices, which they publish, they bear witness to the existence of an extended variety of sports, numerous clubs, debating organizations, etc.

On the social side, dancing and singing in large choruses, both during term time and at graduation exercises, occupy a prominent place.

Though in America student life has gone far beyond anything in the way of student life and customs, such as they exist in France and Italy, the British universities are a very close second. In the latter, as well as in America, there is that love of the “Alma Mater” which is not at all to be found on the continent of Europe.

The establishment of the academies and later, colleges for girls in America in the 19-th century led to their own development of college life and customs. These very rapidly took on the colour of the almost exact imitations of those which had grown in the institutions for men. The publications, literary clubs and even athletic contests resembled those of the men.

Notes to the text: take colour-подражать.