New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-12-30
AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES.
Does the Association Fairly Represent Amer.
lean Scholarship?
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

10 the Editor or the tribune.
Sir: To-morrow's dinner of the organization
which calls itself 1.-THE Association of American
Universities" has become in advance cause of
both amusement and regret to the thoughtful
public account Of the revelations which have
been made of the conduct of that organization
and it's attitude toward other institutions than
those included within its CONSTRUCTED circle.
The association appears to be composed of four
teen prominent universities. which have formed
themselves into close corporation. ADMISSION
to which is to be obtained by favor rather than
by merit. Some of its members are by common
consent the foremost in America, and all are
eminently respectable. Nee rtheless, there are
others outside of it's circle which are truly
universities most of its members. and are
older larger and more distinguished by actual
achievements than some of them. In view or
this fact it certainly seems proper for the asso-
citation, if it wishes to prove it's moral title to
the name 1t has chosen and not be deemed guilty
of a certain arrogance to establish its cond1-
tions of membership upon such liberal grounds
of merit as will make it truly Representatives OF
American scholarship and not merely of the
personal predictions of its founders.
Universities may have perfect right to form
themselves into exclusive club for mutual
pleasure and profit, and to do so without letting
others join them and without even telling others
such an organization could scarcely have d
moral title to name implying that it was IN
elusive of or representative of all American uni
versties For an organization of limited size
to arrogate to itself the name of THE Assoeld-
ton of American Universities might not I'M
naturally be construed into an implication Ii@I
there are no other American universities or NO
others worthy of rank among them mat
would, of course, be absurdly untrue. ana IL Is
not for moment to be supposed that the FOUND
ers of this organization had, or that its present
authorities have, any such intention. But II
will certainly occur to them that the name I'M
fortunately chosen for their select circle is at
least open to that objection. The sharp re-
,nfnder to that effect which has just been given
bv a large body of university professors, who
are ALI alumni of universities included IN the
Association" may therefore serve vdlu' o
end for the association" itself as well as for
others. ,
The general idea of an Association of AMER AMER
can Universities" strikes me as an aoInii ~
one. Properly organized and conducteu' suo,.
an association would be productive OF fhuch
good. 1t would facilitate interchange On tnousnt'
tend toward equalization of STANDARDS Oh scnui-
arship and in many other ways promote Iie
highest educational interests OF the nation bus
to fulfil such a mission it must be esta oIsheu
on a broad and liberal basis, from when an o.,
nossible hints of selfish ambitions and petty
iealousies are excluded wholesome example
is set for it in the college Entrance Exanhaz ,
ton Board" which is catholic In IFS scope anu
highly henefcent in its results. ScnoIdrSHip
alec fixes its standard It will be Wen II TINS
.tAssociati of American Universities sEall re
gard that example and shaH conform ltS Co o.
stitution and practice to it's name, or else us
name to its constitution and practice It's Ineln-
bers are too great and honored ana aitose e.e
admirable to be marked with even the Silsii'eo
suspicion of emulatlng the 1hree IeI ny w VI
Tooley Street. Yours ~ ). =. w.
New-York. December - I3oZ-