New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-15
FOR BEDrcIyG THE HARVARD COURSE.

4 MAJORITY OF THE FACULTY FAVOR IT-MoKL
TIME FOR PROFESSIONAL TRAINING.
BOSTON, Jan. II (SpccaU.-N the meeting OF inc
Harvard ovcrsecrs today, reports from the o'l"Sc
faculty. stating the view, Of the ma,Jrity favorin2
the reduction Of the college course. and also the
reasons Of the minority for opposing such changes
were presented and referred 10 the committee having
the matter In char,c. The faculty Is pretty evehlN
divided on the question thirty four avorng the change
proposed and twentycigh opposing it, while four are
absent from the country. The original report says
flat in voting for reduction, the faculty ala NOT
propose to compel anybody to seek the degree IN ieH
time than four years. but only to oter thoroughly
advantageous option to any one who had q
strong motive for reducing the traditional pero''
fir obtaining the \. b. They conceived u'' INC "i"'
.,ropuous and concentrated labor Of the shorter
course might achieve the end Of liberal education
c,ite a. often as the less ,trcnuou, labor OF the
lancer and that a con-dcrahl: proportion OF those
,,,, took the short time degree would seek hlshei
One i'm arts. Their experience under the present
system f, that the great BODY OF students Won" "'No
, faithful and profitable u'e ~ tie cW''r'' y, !"
tI.,, small proportion Of UNDERSTANDINGS on "'o''
,.if. must be brought h. prevent idcness. there j.
nothing in the proposed measures Ia piec'ude t"c
maintenance Of the present requirement that every
student miles, good reasons Tor exceptional treatment
mn, shown. must take at least four courses IN eAch
year ~ his residence.
The difference, of opinion are not due only To
dfIcrucc, Of judgment about the effect Of the cha-'
~ ,l, u.li.y urop the standard al scholarship within
the university bat even moro % different views 81
III, educational situation In tho United states, ana
to different Judgment 10 the acton winch
D., -tty1t.ou calls for. one objection u
n,o present system j. the advanced age OF
IN, graduate Of college ar' professional school
The u,,,cut average axe OF the entering student
f. .lout nineteen figured on statistic, OF thirty years
TN, faculty expects this might BE- reduced 10 eighteen
hul no lower Tie majority # the faculty THINK that
I'm addition t. receiving from the schools better pre-
ra,cd boy, at an earlier age, the oolle-" should
facilitate an optional Shortening OF the time spent On
il. own course II study leading Ia the y. y.
In the professional schools, law, medicine AID theoo
yv- prodsiuu, change, have taken place within twenty
,.,s and are still going These professions stu
claim one half Of all The Harvard bachelors II art II
both college aud professional training cannot be al
t-i,d if /, the college training which is sacrificed.
The minority report says: our first and strongest
,llc,tiou to the plan IS that We believe it Will
.,.ntfv lower the standard Of our college education
,,.,I reduction be great small the same moment Gus
nlinc.p, i, involved. The smallest reduction Wvuld
l., , strp backward. and would reverse the best IRA
d,,inn, of the cOllcg' and the hNtd policy ol ulc
I1,t thirty Years. We can loon back on ui' uil'
vith prlJ, and sati-faction feeling That every op
,r,u,ity to elevate and broaden oar scholarship mas
ir.n agcrly improved. II our dcsrce i 10 u" &c
,,r.,drd l,y our own act We shalI De toNP''n 10
1i'andon our position as leaders in American scholar
ship