A Collection of College Words and Customs Part 66

_Yale Lit. Mag._, Vol. III. p. 144.

PROFESSOR. One that publicly teaches any science or branch of learning; particularly, an officer in a university, college, or other seminary, whose business is to read lectures or instruct students in a particular branch of learning; as a _professor_ of theology or mathematics.--_Webster_.

PROFESSORIATE. The office or employment of a professor.

It is desirable to restore the _professoriate_.--_Lit. World_, Vol. XII. p. 246.

PROFESSOR OF DUST AND ASHES. A t.i.tle sometimes jocosely given by students to the person who has the care of their rooms.

Was interrupted a moment just now, by the entrance of Mr. C------, the gentleman who makes the beds, sweeps, takes up the ashes, and supports the dignity of the t.i.tle, "_Professor of Dust and Ashes_."--_Sketches of Williams College_, p. 77.

The South College _Prof. of Dust and Ashes_ has a huge bill against the Society.--_Yale Tomahawk_, Feb. 1851.

PROFICIENT. The degree of Proficient is conferred in the University of Virginia, in a certificate of proficiency, on those who have studied only in certain branches taught in some of the schools connected with that inst.i.tution.

PRO MERITIS. Latin; literally, _for his merits_. A phrase customarily used in American collegiate diplomas.

Then, every crime atoned with ease, _Pro meritis_, received degrees.

_Trumbull's Progress of Dullness_, Part I.

PRO-PROCTOR. In the English universities, an officer appointed to a.s.sist the proctors in that part of their duty only which relates to the discipline and behavior of those persons who are _in statu pupillari_.--_Cam. and Oxf. Cals._

More familiarly, these officers are called _pro's_.

They [the proctors] are a.s.sisted in their duties by four pro-proctors, each princ.i.p.al being allowed to nominate his two "_pro's_."--_Oxford Guide_, 1847, p. xiii.

The _pro's_ have also a strip of velvet on each side of the gown-front, and wear bands.--_Ibid._, p. xiii.

PRO-VICE-CHANCELLOR. In the English universities a deputy appointed by the Vice-Chancellor, who exercises his power in case of his illness or necessary absence.

PROVOST. The President of a college.

Dr. Jay, on his arrival in England, found there Dr. Smith, _Provost_ of the College in Philadelphia, soliciting aid for that inst.i.tution.--_Hist. Sketch of Columbia Coll._, p. 36.

At Columbia College, in 1811, an officer was appointed, styled _Provost_, who, in absence of the President, was to supply his place, and who, "besides exercising the like general superintendence with the President," was to conduct the cla.s.sical studies of the Senior Cla.s.s. The office of Provost continued until 1816, when the Trustees determined that its powers and duties should devolve upon the President.--_Ibid._, p. 81.

At Oxford, the chief officer of some of the colleges bears this t.i.tle. At Cambridge, it is appropriated solely to the President of King's College. "On the choice of a Provost," says the author of a History of the University of Cambridge, 1753, "the Fellows are all shut into the ante-chapel, and out of which they are not permitted to stir on any account, nor none permitted to enter, till they have all agreed on their man; which agreement sometimes takes up several days; and, if I remember right, they were three days and nights confined in choosing the present Provost, and had their beds, close-stools, &c. with them, and their commons, &c. given them in at the windows."--_Grad. ad Cantab._, p. 85.

PRUDENTIAL COMMITTEE. In Yale College, a committee to whom the discretionary concerns of the College are intrusted. They order such repairs of the College buildings as are necessary, audit the accounts of the Treasurer and Steward, make the annual report of the state of the College, superintend the investment of the College funds, inst.i.tute suits for the recovery and preservation of the College property, and perform various other duties which are enumerated in the laws of Yale College.

At Middlebury College, similar powers are given to a body bearing the same name.--_Laws Mid. Coll._, 1839, pp. 4, 5.

PUBLIC. At Harvard College, the punishment next higher in order to a _private admonition_ is called a _public admonition_, and consists in a deduction of sixty-four marks from the rank of the offender, accompanied by a letter to the parent or guardian. It is often called _a public_.

See ADMONITION, and PRIVATE.

PUBLIC DAY. In the University of Virginia, the day on which "the certificates and diplomas are awarded to the successful candidates, the results of the examinations are announced, and addresses are delivered by one or more of the Bachelors and Masters of Arts, and by the Orator appointed by the Society of the Alumni."--_Cat. of Univ. of Virginia_.

This occurs on the closing day of the session, the 29th of June.

PUBLIC ORATOR. In the English universities, an officer who is the voice of the university on all public occasions, who writes, reads, and records all letters of a public nature, and presents, with an appropriate address, those on whom honorary degrees are conferred. At Cambridge, this it esteemed one of the most honorable offices in the gift of the university.--_Cam. and Oxf.

Cals._

PUMP. Among German students, to obtain or take on credit; to sponge.

Und hat der Bursch kein Geld im Beutel, So _pumpt_ er die Philister an.

_Crambambuli Song_.

PUNY. A young, inexperienced person; a novice.

Freshmen at Oxford were called _punies of the first year_.--_Halliwell's Dict. Arch. and Prov. Words_.

PUT THROUGH. A phrase very general in its application. When a student treats, introduces, or a.s.sists another, or masters a hard lesson, he is said to _put_ him or it _through_. In a discourse by the Rev. Dr. Orville Dewey, on the Law of Progress, referring to these words, he said "he had heard a teacher use the characteristic expression that his pupils should be '_put through_' such and such studies. This, he said, is a modern practice. We put children through philosophy,--put them through history,--put them through Euclid. He had no faith in this plan, and wished to see the school teachers set themselves against this forcing process."

2. To examine thoroughly and with despatch.

First Thatcher, then Hadley, then Larned and Prex, Each _put_ our cla.s.s _through_ in succession.

_Presentation Day Songs_, June 14, 1854.

_Q_.

Q. See CUE.

QUAD. An abbreviation of QUADRANGLE, q.v.

How silently did all come down the staircases into the chapel _quad_, that evening!--_Collegian's Guide_, p. 88.

His mother had been in Oxford only the week before, and had been seen crossing the _quad_ in tears.--_Ibid._, p. 144.

QUADRANGLE. At Oxford and Cambridge, Eng., the rectangular courts in which the colleges are constructed.