New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-03-22
THE QUESTION OF ELECTIVE STUDIES


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THE QUESTION OF ELECTIVE ST UDLES
DISTINCTION AND DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COLLEGE
AND USIvERsITY COURSES.
To ne Edttor Of Tae Tribune.
SIR. The pro and con of the question OF
elective studies in colleges could have had better
champions than Presidents MoCosh and Eliot who not
only take the ground of phosophic argument but also
speak experience Each is president OF one Oh the
foremost colleges In this country. and is also fully ao
oualnted with the educational institutions OF the Ola
World and both have their eyes wide open Tor any a
ger which might arise, and certainly VIII ARISE AFom
neglect OF this that point However, though ey seem
to be Numerically opposed according to my Idea they
are much nearer each other than appears AZ nrst
sight With the warmth of enthusiastic conviction each
of them defends a principle which Is right; and the
auditors OF Nineteenth Century Club must nave et
like Frederick William L. the old King of Prussia who'
angry with the slowness of hts judges went once into
the tribunal of the court himself Listening to the
plaintiff he said: well he is right; he shall have his
due" But when he heard the defendant explaining his
case and objections exclaimed; That fellow Is right
aso" And went and left the decision OF the mat
ter to the Judge
President Eliot doubt, has ideal before his eyes
which universities realized probably as FAR
as under the present conditions of human Development
can be expected. German universities are places OF
Freedom and the academic liberty called, is an holy
heirloom which prince ever dared to touch. It's 70
liberty that German science owes the nigh standard
1t has attained. and this liberty we must have IN
America also Real science Il impossible without It, The
German universities no rest on the system OF the
German gymnasium; and though the German student
enjoys full liberty the German gymnasiast Ia closely
confined to certain of study which is pretty
uniform throughout Germany. The basis OF TINS gym
nasal education the classics True, people think
that their study too rigid, and there may be some
doubt as 10 whether this classical system be right.
think is though II Is exaggerated and pressed too ar
But even IN case 1t were wrong the uniformity in the
education Of their students Is immense advantage 10
German universities and after having passed this severe
discipline these youths able TO rely on themselves
and develop themselves individually. But who Is able
to lake the right OF liberty II he has not been
beforehand Who choose the lectures he
should attend, If he comes like the student In Faust
advised by MephiStopheies-
And when the lecture ha receive him
Seeing. hearing and thinking leave him.
Like unHedged bird, he will drop to the ground and
fall an easy prey the many temptations Of the world
President McCosh has given satisfactory proof that to
such a full liberty would prove detrimental He
took ground OF college education 1t corresponds to
the German gymnasium, while President Eliot plainly
meant describe how life and study ousht TO be in
university.
The distinction between University ana College IS
vague In this country, there colleges az which
university studies pursued, and on the other hand
there are universities socaed. which are In fact mere
colleges Tho confusion Of the names would not mako
any difference but the fault IS that In America the
scientific preparatory education OF the college con-
founded with scientific study of the university. Pres
dent Eliot speaks of universities, while President NC.
Ssa na a ,nS es %ers solved Il
ton decided beforehand which colleges are really
universities which universities. respOndlng 70
German gymnssinms must give up their assumpnyte
connected practical difficulty for the higher university
colleges what Is TO be done with those stddenls VINO
are unable 90 their In such liberty az ought 10
exist in university This problem which cannot be
solved without experience; but ! should suggest that
those students ought be taught according To tue sys
TEN necessary in colleges Thus. such higher college
by and by will be divided into university and college
which may connected with each other but at the same
time distinctly separate TO my knowledge IN most
deed coege course of about two years after
studies elective. Also IN English universities there
are not az yet able attend the lectures OF the pro-
fessors These learned from Professor Max Muller
| when calling HIM at O1fOrd-taught by tutors In
classes in manner similar 10 the instruction OF seniors
Thus the problem seems to be sovabe in this way The
real university study must be elective and the college
course cannot but he obligatory In It's ehlef subjects
according 10 general Ian. Practically, however, 1t may
he found difficult In higher colleges 10 say where the
that famous academic liberty Is checked by
amnations antecedent to, and one concluding the
be enrolled in the register allowed to listen the
lectures, out the full benefit Acknowledgement and
eventual admission 10 this examination i'll the END only
those have who in possession OF testimonials OF
maturity 50 sailed t n t1 TO four FOUR cTgs ay
undergo any time they please In semi annual terms
the examinations concluding their university career
| and the examiners according to certain rules refuse
those who have not at least enlisted themselves Tor the
| principal lectures OF their branch. 49,,
| would suggest that In America matters might DC
regulated in a similar way. IL the admission TO uni
yeTty is given on ground OF college degree and II the
diligence ana behavior Of student have 10 stand tue
test OF an examination which. II passed successfully
gives value to his precious studies AMI not renders
them useless-undersueh conditions, BELIEVES We need
| not be afraid of any liberty In universities. And
there is no doubt committee of experts who could
be chosen the ranks OF most prominent pro-
fessOrs could we'll regulate the distinction between
| university and college as fix the requirements and
standard for the examinations And where such dis
tncon Is not as yet introduced, II would be arranged
without N UGH difficulty. The greater uniformity, how
ever, arising from 1t will IN the end produce more
| originality and Individuality In scholars and, I'M
doubtedly prove very advantageous. +. CABUs.
8e,o- York, March 10. 1885.