New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-07
EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS.
NEWS OF THE COLLEGES AND UNIVER-
SITIES-NOTES OF INTEREST.
THE DEGREE OF ASSOCIATE IN ARTS AT
THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO-A TWO
YEARS COLLEGE COURSE.

THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO-A TWO
YEARS COLLEGE COURSE
The press dispatches have already brought the
news that the University of Chicago it's spring
convocation Monday conferred the degree
of associate in arts on fifteen students who had
completed the work of the junior colleges-that is.
of the freshman and sophomore years. This is an
entirely new degree. According to the meaning
which is given to it al Chicago it practically estab
fishes two years college course. and it's
cipients if they continue their studies.
garded doing university d. e., graduate) work
The adoption of such a scheme this vigorous
and influential Western institution is a matter of
wide educational Importance A number of inno-
vations-such, for example, the four quarter
system-are being copied from Chicago by other in
situations. Whether this latest change shall find
adherents elsewhere or not, 1t is at least of great
interest. Fortunately, President Harpers official
statement in which he sets forth clearly what has
been done, why il has been done and what effects
expected to follow. may be given from the
April number of THE Educational Review.
REASONS FOR THE ACTION.
DIR. Harper gives as the first consideration that
had influence in determining this action the fact
which he claims to be very generally recognized
that no important step Is taken the end of the
preparatory course. The work of the freshman
and sophomore years in most colleges differs little
In content and method from that of the last year
of the academy high school. except that it Is
somewhat more advanced. On the other hand,
he states that at the end of the sophomore year
most important change according the
organization of the larger number of institutions.
for II is at this point that the student is given
larger liberty of choice and the time,
hghet methods OF instruction employed. For the
last years of college work the university spirit
and the university method prevail in
the work of the student has begun. 1t Is evident
continues DR.. Harper, that many students continue
work in the Junior and senior years of college life
whose best interests would have been served by
Mar mt pue tn he
end, not from choice, but rather from compusion.
because Of the disgrace which may attend an I'M
finished course. If it were regarded respectable
to stop at the close of the sophomore year many
would avail themselves Of the opportunity
1t Is matter of common observation that MANY
students who might be courageous enough
dertake two years college are not able
Tor lack OF funds or for other reasons, their
way to enter upon a four year course. Many stu
further feel that if professional course Is to be
taken there is not time for a four-year college
course. 1t is for this that in part our pro-
fessional schools made up so largely of non
college students. If student who had In view
ultimately the medical legal peda gogical pro
study a; at the end of two years he would be much
more more likely to undertake such course than the
Ghicagos president argues that many students who
induced at the end that time to Continue to- the
END OF the fourth year. In this way many of the
entire college course who under the present ar
engagements regard such impra cticable
President Harper's apparent intention is. so far
as possible, to push back into the secondary
schools those studies which he classes as college
as distinguished from those belonging to the uni
Versty proper. He points out that many academies
at e agh schools are able and ready do. part
years and that one state university already recog-
Iorned IN approved high schools. He regards 1t as
sen uen a mat young people cannot wisely be
maturity OF character. If the academies and high
courses f f6eT w 0nef freshman and sophomore
studies studies TO a higher point home He also main
colleges which have not sufcient endowment "a
and senior that should limit their H tn wc 3ni9 f
11 OF 20 s tne freshman and sophomore
be pdnf9 that they are not doing justice
lees IN lower classes in order to obtain a meagre
class of men These institutions in m nne higher
would be disposed to limit their work to the ioWeT
T Th IL II We're made possible for them to do so
If they could follow the example of a large insti-
y wnr ana give an appropriate recognition of the
adopt such an arrangement
than hundred mes n rarely go further away
colleges which are within hundred miles of the
institutions We're to limit themselves to the Hs work
OF me ne freshman and sophomore years, at the end
work and desired to continue would be compelled
~ 90 away from nome to some distant
perhaps large university IN whloh library and
laboratory facilities might be found which would
mike possible the doing of good work. IT, on the
one hand the academies and high schools were
eleVated ana II, on the other hand, the scope of
work done by many colleges limited so that
institutions existed capable of doing that work
thoroughly, there would be a recognized
distinction between college and university which
does not exist. WINCH
RESULTS EXPECTED TO FOLLOW
The degree of associate has been established at
chicago TO encourage movement in the direction
J9 tba
ing results:
F1rst-Many students will find it convenient TO
Give up college work at the end of the sophomore
year ~ P'e
Second-Many students who otherwise would not
Will undertake at least two years of college work
Thlrd-The professional schools be able In
raise their standards for admission, and in ary
case many who desire professional education will
take the hrSt two years of the college work
Fourth-Many academies and high schools will
be encouraged to develop higher work "
Ftfth-Many colleges which have not the means
TO do the work of the junior and senior wears will
be satisfied under this arrangement do the lower
work " -N"Oi
CORNELL UNIVERSITY.
Personal MENTION OF PROFESSORS |