novation was an interdisciplinary freshman program, “h"lan in tlze

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20‘h Century; incorporating a lecture series, seminars, a private tu— torial, and regular departmental offerings stretching across arts and science."I The new program was atypical, but it offered promise that UPET would incorporate the most modern methods and philosophy of what a university should be.

At the terms outset, President Baker wrote an old friend at the University of British Columbia, classics professor C. W. J. Eliot — who would one day himselfbe UPEl’s president. “This is a fasci- natingjob,” Baker said. “The two institutions have long histories, and putting them together is quite challenging.” The University Act “in effect gives faculty and students control of the Board as well as of Senate. 1 am not sure how it will work, but it will certainly be interesting to watch it?“ hTuch was at stake in the university’s first days. UPEI was attempting to go about the day—to—day business of educating students, and by doing so prove that past rivalries and prejudices could be forgotten. At the same time it was creating and filling permanent governing bodies, actions that could easily inflame those rivalries and prejudices. Things did not get off to an auspicious start when students gathered in late September to create a Student Union, but were unable to accomplish anything. The Evening—Pa— trioz‘ reported that red—and—white St. Dunstan’s jackets on one side ofthe assembly argued with red-and-blue Pri nee ofWales jackets on the other. (The editor recommended a dress code, outlawing the old gang colours.) The newspaper‘ca’lled the event “a display of religious bigotry that would put Ireland to shame," even though no reference to religion had been made. "i A ray of hope was that the freshmen, lacking affiliation to either of the old schools, and some upperclass— men had acted neutrally.

But what had seemed an ominous indication ofthe future turned

(>1 'l/ae (Juan/rim, September o, who; and War (Km/re, September 30, Iojj,

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0. Baker to C. \V. J. l‘lliot, September 10, mm), Presidents Crirrespontlence, folder 2, l’lfl Collection. lit'iv/i’zzlyl’illHM, September :3, who.

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