The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-02-06
THE EHARYARDANNE
President Eliot Speaks of
Its Relations to the
University.
MATTER OF DEGREES.
That of Bachelor Of Arts Con-
sidered Too Important for
Women.

BOSTON, Feb. 6, 1S94.-President Eliot, Of
Harvard University, spoke on Radcliffe
College before the Old South Club last
night His address was the most import
ant word yet spoken of the relations
of the Harvard Annex with Harvard
University. Dr. Eliot at the outset, quoted
quoted George William Curtis, who once
wrote:-'sIt is now settled that Juliet may
study, but shall she study with Romeos"
With this for text he spoke, in part as
follows:-
';We have learned in the last twenty-five
years that young women are quite as capable
of the higher studies as young men. The
Annex began fourteen years ago with
twenty-seven students and thirty teachers;
Although there never has been any official
connection with Harvard, theAnnex never has
had any teachers but Harvard professors and
instructors, and its students have always had a
the same examination papers at Harvard
students 1t soon began to be self-sup-
porting and has remained so for many years.
What motive did the corporation of the
annex have in wishing to be incorporated as
Radcliffe College? They wanted to get
formal, explicit and avowed relation to
Harvard University. The governing board
of Harvard absolutely refused to give the
college degrees outright.
"Why? Well, there were two reasons. In
the first place, the government of Harvard's
University is in the hands of men who work
and the business of Harvard University is a
constantly increasing load upon them.
s'The corporation Said:-'No, we will not
take the charge of your college. You get an
other board to take care of its affairs. II it
should get an official connection with Har-
yard University it will grow, it will grow
fast, and it will be hard work to take care
of it, Have board of your own with
women on it, only such body can rightly
manage it,"
A PRECIOUS POSSESSION.
Harvard had another reason in refusing
to incorporate the Annex as a department of
the University, and give the degree Of
degree has history. 1t is a precious
possession. We do not know the
Governing Boards of Harvard University do
not know if this incorporation should be
granted, whether we have the means of Of
fering all the advantages that are offered to
the students in Harvard University. The
present institution cannot, and 1T is uncer-
tain when it could.
seWe cannot give degree of different
grades, and until the university can give
with assurance degree with its
privileges to all alike we cannot under
take to give it at all. When equality of
privilege comes then will be the time for
further consideration. This is prudent and
conservative state of mind. Nevertheless, it
looks forward. 1t simply says we are not
ready now. The corporation of the annex
then said:-"Wil you guarantee
that the instruction, so far as it goes, shall
be equal to that offered by Harvard Univer-
sity; thatsis. that every part of the instruc
tion, so far as it goes, shall be of the same
grade.
''That was reasonable and was granted.
We do not yet give the degree Of Bachelor
of Arts, hut we do guarantee the quality of
instruction. and just as much, subject by
subject, as is given in Harvard College.
This relation between the Annex and Har-
ward University is firm, formal and official.
''This is long step forward and it leaves
the way open very wide far further steps
when the time come.
GRADUATE INSTRUCTION.
Gas for graduate instruction for women,
there is no openly, distinctly expressed pro-
vision for these advantages, but there is
already small number of young women
admitted as guests in certain of the
higher courses of instruction in Harvard. In
these graduate courses the number is always
given in Harvard to which women might be
admitted without further expense to
the University. And when Radcliffe col
lege enters into official connection
with the University, it is my impression
that it will be very easy for women to at
tend these courses"