New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-05
A DENIAL BY THE SENIOR PROFESSORS

To The Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: The abstract Of a report to the New
York Cornell Azmn Association In TIE TRIBUNE OF
April % contained the following passages:
Tho number Of students had Decn gradually diminish
ing because the university no lougcr represented
clearly defined IDEA, about which sudcns could cluster.
The character Of CornelPs students had accordingly
deteOrated they were not now such men OF force as
formerly.
These assertions If uncorrected cannot fail TO prove
injurious The undersigned have been professors In tie
university from tbs begin nng ana feel that upon these
matters their statements aud opinions entitled to
confdence.
1t denied that the number OF students at pre-
attendance il considerably less than ia the earlier
years Of the university At opening OF the insitu
to in view OF the large number Of technical
CURED by tue charter, 1t deemed
best TO begin with low standard Of
requirement ana gradually 10 raise IL until expert
enoo should show what grade ought to be maintained
Under ths policy large numbers of students nockcd
university from tbs upper classes OF the high
and academies and IL was found that TIC institution ws
TO a considerable extent. duplicating work al
reacy well do3e in these preparatory schools But
with gradual elevation of the standard OF al msson
this influx has ceased but as the numbers have tom
porarily fallen or the quality has improved.
As 10 the alleged loss Of "wall-dehned ideas about
which students cluster" VIC distinctly affirm 81 ut
the university has been 10 ya TO It's primary and
mental principles II Cornell ia longer peculiar
bias the choice OF professors, for presenting
courses OF study tho needs Of various Ia nus
aad aims AMI fJr the absence Of petty professional
pervdoD, 1. Is not because these desirable features
have lost by u.s. but rather because
they have been gained by others. largely.
we believe. ip consequence Of example.
Since II IS longer necessary to 10 Ithaca In
search OF these IDEAS other attractions personal local.
etc. exert tber full uucnce IN favor other inslu-
tlons In connection, however with the admitted TALL
Ing of IN the total number OF students II should be
ted that the entering GLASS OF the present year
larger than that OF the year before.
But ali numerical cOOsideIat elnk into nsRI!h-
by the side of the startling declaration that
students have "detsrioGated." This Is point upon
which can be better informed or more impartial,
than the professors wAO have had intimate relations with
every class which has entered university thus far
As SUCH feel 1t 20 be our duty 10 state that year
OF studeuts their babit iher ability and
application. 20 that the Cornell sgraduate
scholarly than the UNDERGRADUATE OF fifteen
even zen sgc d no e mas h never pgS
there been more cordial relation between the pIOies
sOrs aud The large majority OF sudeusnevcr more earn
est application. higher attainment. complete
cess surely, TO take single instance does not SAVIOR
OF degeneracy lack OF force that the heads OF the
classes this spring IN the Albany Buffalo and
Bellevue Hospital medical were recent Cornell
one other point may properly be commented upon by
us IL inmated that valued professors have been lost
Inv Of tho inadequate remuneration Oh the three
whoss names are gwen died, and another resigned
without 10 compensation mat Two or three
easements OF tho university is true, but their
plaoes nave boon thoroughly well niledi ana Wnue we
ranted In SAYING especially since the recent addl
t,ons tnat the faculty OF the university Is nOt Ohy
ror mn stronger than before. without entering
n tho general question OF the adequacy OF proesso9
com onsaton here or elsewhere II Dut JIss W .no
ssysrn rased pony Our times since the university
was opened, 30 'thst ~ pio''n' ~