New-York tribune., 1890-06-04
COLUMBIA'S OPEN COURSES.
TRYING TO IMPROVE ON HARvARDS PLAN
SHORTENING
SHORTENING THE TINE FOR THE COMPLETION
KEEPING THE FOUR YEARS OF
UNDERGRADUATES STUDY.

One Of the most important changes that have been
effected in Columbia College under its new president,
seth Low is the throwing open 10 the senior class OF
the school Of Arts large number Of elective courses
in the schools Of Law. Mines, Political Science and Phil
osophy, thus allowing all students intending to enter
professional to combine the work Of the first
year Of the professional schools with the last year Of
the regular college course When seen last night By
a Tribune reporter President Low said
The effect of this change is to enable Columbia 10
accomplish the shortening of time required for the col
lego and professional education at which Harvard Is
now aiming, but In a different and as we think, In
better way. Our degree OF Bachelor Of Arts will re
qurc four years Of study heretofore but the senior
year may be given to extent to the studies OF the
professional Instead Of granting our degree
Of Bachelor Of Arts upon less amount Of study than
heretofore, Harvard proposed TO do the Columbia
degree Will remain full and as rich as ever-perhaps
1t will be even more rich-while at the same time a
full year is saved to those who propose to add TO tile
college course advanced or professional study.
The change In the attitude OF Columbia con-
tnued President Low toward the student which
has been wrought BY the action Of the authorities
this spring Is noteworthy. Hitherto Columbia has
been made up Of series OF schools representing the
natural growth OF the Institution, each Of which, each
school has worked without reference to Che othe As
a consequence Of that conception, student was
compelled TO matriculate In the school In which he
proposed to study. paying separate mat1culaton
fee In each He could obtain no degree unless he pur
sued the required Of some one school. Under
the recent action Of the trustees the students matricu
late not as members Of this that school, but ss
students OF Columbia. AS such. all the prvi-
, icges which Columbia offers To students under
any faculty open 10 them, subject only 10
such necessary regulations the president IN
connection with the University Council may pre-
scribe Regular members OF the undergraduate
classes in the School OF Arts and In the school OF
Mines are entitled only to such options the rules
Of those schools cspectively permit The studies for
higher degree may be pursued under one faculty or
under several faculties In the school Of Arts the
to the end of the junior Is substantially
a rigid In the senior year substantially the
privileges Of election given TO the students
Of the School Of Arts extended to graduate
Students
In the School of Mines the courses leading to the
various technical degrees designated by the faculty
all the privileges granted to graduates of colleges
Tor the pursuit Of advanced studies, and the acquire
Of the degrees OF Master of Arts and Doctor OF
Philosophy are open to graduates OF the school 9i
Of equal standing Hitherto the degrees Of Master
OF Arts and Doctor of Philosophy have been given for
school Of Arts. tie school Of Mines and the
school Of Political Science Under the new. new
degree, designated by the University Council. each
university faculty, however, being at liberty TO make
specific regulations for H. own guidance not neon.
~-tcnt with the general regulations. As result Of
thi, system the basis for tho Master Of Ari> degree
and the degree Of Doctor Of Philosophy i made uni
form through all parts Of the university. and IL IS
gratifying to know that the general regulations eni-
body standard which represents combination of the
host demands hitherto made for these degrees In con
ucctlOn with the different schools and standard be-
nrvcd 10 be equal 20 any al home or abroad. In one
yrl Columbia ha, been unified into an Institution all
part. IF which hereafter Will work together instead II
without reference 10 another. This policy already
shows tself full Of promise of good results in every
. direction
Sellers buyers and workers will ALWAYS find II IN
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