New-York tribune., 1905-11-26
A THREE YEAR COLLEGE.
Clark University Has No Sophomore
Glass.

Worcester, Mass, Nov. % CspeciaD.-when
Jonas G. Clark founded Clark University at
Worcester some years ago, leaving the bulk OF
his fortune for that purpose. there was q mild
voice OF protest from people who thought that
he should have left his money to some institu-
ton which was already established. This per-
haps was due to the fact that there thir-
teen institutions within radius of one hundred
miles from Worcester which gave the degree OF
Bachelor of Arts.
The men whom the trustees. headed by the
late Senator George 2. Hoer, put IN charge OK
the work speedily realized that to gain tbs
support and good Will of the community they
must demonstrate the institutions reason for
being. That they have done so is shown by
the requests which have come &c it since the
death of the founder.
THE most important step TO this end" said
President G. Stanley Hall, Of the university,
was the emancipation of the high schools Of
Massachusetts, by aboiishing the conventional
entrance examinations. This is not startling
a step as 1t first seems without insisting that
the high schools must teach just such subjects
as we laid down in the way desire. we ar
ranged to admit students on certificate and to
give them a chance to show that they could
DO the work we require.
I'VE realize, in the first place. that the chief
aim Of the high school must be to fit for life
those who do not go beyond that course of
study. Only per cent of high school students
enter college, yet the high school course has long
been shaped for the particular benefit of this
T per cent and not for the 90 per cent who
get no further education.
THE high school authorities are about ready
to enter a mighty protest. l heard one pro-
fessor at q recent meeting of high school teach
ers declare with the greatest bitterness, The in
sFna iio fS elThN m
terests of the few who &c to college. The high
school professors of Massachusetts, will soon
be wearing the uniform of the college. We
should say to the colleges, Here is our product;
take It or leave It as you like If the high
schools do this soon the centre of gravity will
tip toward the high schools"
Clark Universfty's second original step was
the establishment of = three year course lead
| Ing to the degree Of Bachelor of Arts. there be-
ing no four year course In the college. The
course is SO arranged that in 102 weeks OF ao-
tual study the work of the usual four year
college course is accomplished.
To carry out this plan successfully several
radical steps were necessary. large and
competent faculty the first requirement. and
to-day there is one faculty member to every
four and half students. The distractions that
follow in the wake Of intercollegiate contests
were eliminated by vetoing all such contests,
thus ena bling the students to concentrate their
work on the curriculum Nevertheless the col
lege has fine gymnasium, and interclass games
are encouraged under proper regulations and
medical advice. No part Of the academic year
is devoted to preparations for examination by
the omission Of regular college exercises.
The will of the founder makes distinct pro-