New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-08
n0MEN At COLUMBIA.


Columbia College reported on March that 1t
" was inexpedlent to attempt to educate the sexes
g topetberr at Columbia, but that it was exDe-
" dent to institute measures for raising the
q standard of female education by proposing
courses of study to be pursued outside the col
Hlepe.D Yesterday this committee made their
report. the consideration of which was post
poned until next month. 1t is an emnenty
cautious document bat considering the llmlta-
films which hampered the trainers, its char
acter is much what might have been expected.
The committee are thoroughly aware OF the
nractical difficulties which attend the eXecu-
tion of any recommendation that they may
make. They recognize the Importance Of DE-
ginning 70 raise the standard of female educa-
ton in private schools, but they are FULLY con-
scious that it is impossible fer them to 0ung
"the private schools of the city into the frame
work of q common system winch the board
of Trustees might indOrse. For the general
elevation of the education OF women 1t Is true
that the process should begin in the schools,
rather than at the top bat this is not the exact
onestion now presented. There are at present
yarions Young women in the city who have
already gone beyond the ordinary curriculum
education further. Let us see what is offered
them. They are told that they cannot OBTAIN
outside instruction from members of the Co
lumbia faculty On account of the lack OF suit
able apartments for which the BOARD mas
already declined to make arrangements
Therefore the committee has mo. deemed IL
Unnecessary to ascertain how many OF the Ooard
Gof the college would volunteer for Work oil
this kind nor how their services should I've re-
compensed." This therefore, kills any nope
which may have been entertained OF an annex
plan like that pursued at Harvard. But the
reason for this will I've better understood since
the publication of the financial condition OF
the college and President Barnards appeal Tor
;unds In the present condition OF ColumOlas
treasury we can readily appreciate the unWlll'
ingness of the trustees to assume any addl-
tional burdens.
The plan proposed is acknowledged to be
provisional and tentative" but it at least sets
M standard and marks out course approx
| imatey collegiate. To enter upon this course
| voung women must pass an entrance eXaml-
| nation at which certain definite things VIII be
demanded. They can pursue their studies
wherever they william application in bread
way of the University method, the freedom of
| which is coming more and more into favor at
| our institutions of learning. On the conclusion
of the course they will receive certificates
stating the amount of work accomplished and
the success attained. The examinations for
admission and graduation with the others to
| be held as often as necessary" will be conducted
nv officers of Columbia College who will award
tile certificates. 1t appears, therefore, that
Young women who wish a higher education
will learn from the carefully prepared curricu-
lum exactly what they should study, and from
| freouent examinations the measure OF their
approach to the standard. Instructors and
Mace of instruction they must find for them
| selves. II is true, as the committee suggest,
that the creation Of this course of study and
| the existence of q demand for more advanced
instruction should exercise a stimulating effect
upon the schools of the city but the number of
students can hardly be taken rs fair test of
the desire for a higher educatiOn for many
Young women may be unable to avail them
selves of the opportunities offered in this par
tcular form. We may reasonably hope that II
the movement once takes definite shape en-
dowments may be bestowed which will enable
Columbia to assume a closer relation TO tile en-
terprise. But this is only a hope.