New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-01
THE BACHELORS DEGREE.
IT'S SIGNIFICANCE DISCUSSED AT A COL
LEGIATE CONVENTION.
a COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO REPORT ON TIT
SUBJECT NEXT YEAR-oFFIoERs ELECTED
BY THE ASSOCIATION.

BY THE ASSOCIATION.
Philadelphia. Nov. 3o.-The second and last days
session of the Convention of the College Association Of
the Middle states and Maryland was held TO-DAY I'm the
chapel Of the University OF Pennsylvania. President
Low, of Columbia College, presiding. Almost the en-
tire doy was given up to conference upon The Sig
aihcance Of the Bachelor Of Arts Degree Professor
Edward II. Griffin OF Johns Hopkins University, acted
referee taking the place Of President Gilman OF THAI
institution. Professor Griffin read the points watch
President Gilman desired TO make as follows
First the American propensity to multiply academic
titles so that the real significance OF degree |"
obScured second. the tendency 10 confer the Dacca
laureate degree so many forms and phases that its
meaning cannot be discovered even from 'he hame
Of the institution which confcrs H. but must oHen
be worked out by a study of catalogues constructed
in different orders OF oompexity; fhiru' the ehumer%
ton Of the manifold forms OF the baccaaniea'c desrco
now given in this country; fourth' the HISTORICAL
significance OF the bachelors degree, as marking at
tainment of the first grade In the fellowship OF
,cbolars grade which may be attained in
any faculty of university. arts medicine,
theology and law; fifth, tho value OF certificate the
meaning of which is obvious at first sight considered
from the point OF view OF the holder of diploma, and
secondly nom that Of the public; SIXTH the i'm.
portance Of restoring, II possible the baccaaureate
degree to an honorable significance before it is alto
ycher lost seventh TIE importance of acknowledging
that it is not essential that any curriculum should
b. followed In order 10 attain the degree
of bachelor of arts eighth, It es-
sentisl that the Candidate who receives that
degree should have received such structon in ancient
and modern languages and literature in mathematics,
In the natural and physical Sciences and in historical
and moral sciences ninth, II IS essential that the
candidate should pursue these studies in public IN
stiution under competent Instructors for definite
period in a systematic way, subject TO examinations.
tho results Of which are to be recorded proclaimed
and certified TO by a formal diploma.
Professor Griffin also submitted his own views on
the subject
President Merrill f. Gates of Rutgers College, was
the coreferee of the conference In his address upon
the subject ne defined academic degree the grade
or rank TO which scholars admitted IN recognition Of
their attachments by college TN versity." The
need of a uniform meaning and valu, for degree
IS obvious. Degrees have been look, at as, first,
certificates of attainment, ordinary or honorary;
second licenses 10 teach branch of knowledge with
which the holder IS affirmed 10 be acquainted third,
licenses to practise certain profession. He believed
The first class, honorary degrees should be given
more rarely, with more attention to their scholarly
import. Licenses TO practise law medicine should
also be more sparDgly given, and more of liberal
education and scientific training should be
demanded of those who admitted 10
the professional schools. The bachelors de-
gree, given by the colleges and
universities of this association, should have APP
iTONimatey uniform value. HIS judgment ana
preference would favor holding the degree of bachelor
of arts to its historic significance, implying such
liberal culture as cannot be obtained without the
careful, sympathetic, continued study of antiquity
IN conclusion President Gates proposed the following
resolution, which adopted
Resolved, That committee of five be named to con-
fer the requirements for the bachelors degree
at the colleges and universities in the States
here represented and report this association at Its
Iext annual meeting ~ what definite suggestion
each OF the four great groups OF studies fol
The degree OF bachelor Of arts, and (e what forms
Of the bachelors degree IL would recommend as ad
risabe at these Institutions.
The subject discussed by President Adams. of
Cornell; Professor Marquand OF Princeton; Professor
Butler, of Columbia, and others.
Professor Henry +. Osborne. of Princeton. read a
fcge's" Tie followed by Professor Ii. D. White of
Cornell who discussed The Admission Of Students
The University Certificate"
The following Board OF Officers elected: PIes-
vice presidents President ". B. Gof Of the Western
University Of Pennsylvania President Hill, OF |
Rochester; PTesld nt Gilman, Of Johns Hopkins Pres
dent Patton OF Princeton. and President Raub, Of the
College of the Stat of Delaware treasurer Professor
J. l.. Kener OF Franklin and Marshal College, Penn.
corresponding secretary. Professor Mag II. of Swath
moro College, Penn. recording secretary, Professor
Cumrn.ttee-the abOve-named officers and Professor
Maryland, OF Princeton Professor Gates. of Rutgers
Prof Butler. Of Columbia. and Provost Pepper of
the University of Pennsylvania. The next annual
meeting will We held at Princeton the Friday and
Saturday following Thanksgiving, $3.50.