New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-05-05
MGILL UNIVERSITY.
FEATURES OF THE ANNUAL CONvOCATION-
ELECTIVE SYSTEM INTRODUCED.

Montreal May AT the annual convocation of
McGill University, held this week, Principal Peter
delivered interesting address, in which he
outlined the changes to be made in the college
course In the Faculty of Arts a very full meas
IRE of the elective system Is to be introduced next
session after the intermediate examination. The
main object of this system said DIR. Peterson 'is
to adapt the curriculum to the student rather
than the student TO the curriculum. 1t represents
indviduasm in education versus collectvism Pro-
fcency in Latin. Greek and mathematics is not
practicable to every one. Under the system
diagnosis will be made by students and teachers
alike. when the second year examination has been
passed, and. while every precaution will be taken
against haphazarlness in the choice of studies alb
solute freedom of selection will be conditioned only
by the tastes and aptitudes the hand and
the range of studies offered on the other The
adoption of the alternative will add
terially to the cost OF the arts department; and
good deal OF money will also have to be spent in
the full equipment of the third and fourth years of
the arts curriculum including the honors of schools
attached to the various departments of study.
Among the subjects to be included in the
strengthened arts course next year the most i'm
portant economics and political science. The
former subject will be undertaken by alumnus
of McGill. DIR. James E. Rossigno, professor of
he will spend a part of the time at McGi Other
Dr. Peterson recounted the benefactons of the
last year, which reach respectable figure. The
most notable were the extension of the library
building by Mrs. Peter Redp?th: the foundation OF
a chair of geology. TO be known the Dawson
chair in memory of the late principal. by Sir WILL
lam Macdonald; the gift of 100000 by Sir William
Macdonald for the extension of the equipment OF
the chemistry building; equipment for the
medical building at expense Of 800 900 by Lady
Strathcona and her daughter the Hon Mrs. How
ard and the muniicent endowment of the Royal
Victoria College for Women by Lord Strathcona.
the chancellor of the university DR.. Peterson in
tmated however, that there were many directions
in which money could stih be proftably expended
among them the building CT residence and dormi-
tories McGil has never had any students in resi-
dence, and formerly the idea not looked upon
favorably by the university authorities: but DR.
Peterson is a warm advocate Of the plan, and will
probably be able to carry his point.
Dean Bovey, of the science department an
nounced that the Canadian General Electric Com
pany had offered TO the electrical department of
the faculty of applied science two scholarships
open for competition annually. each of which is TO
take the form of three months course in the
company's works at Peterborough, and 800.
The degree of A. &. conferred forty-two
graduates, of whom ten students the Royal
Victoria College for Women. There were thirty
four graduates from the science faculty and eleven
from the faculty of law. The medical convocation
comes later.