New-York tribune., 1906-11-11
THE TUTORS WORK.

This work is not a small class system. but
individual guidance in small groups-confer-
ences. you might call them. For instance. in
Latin class of three hundred students is
broken up into twelve divisions Of twenty-f five
each, twelve grades of varying accomplishment
TO form as many tutorial classes. These di-
visions are again broken into six smaller groups
instructed simultaneously by six preceptors. The
clunp Of four students in this illustration is the
unit. but IT is further possible TO divide the
hour TO give fifteen minutes to each stu
dent After little while two students might be
instructed tandem, then four abreast, and so on
in proportion the personal method abolished
defects and levelled differences. thus bringing
back 70 the mass idea true basis.
The tutor has no disciplinary relation, and is
the guide, philosopher and friend of the student.
He does not make marks or report absences;
he Is expected 10 hold the mon by the attractive
ness Of his personality and method: but a fla
grant and continuous neglect TO attend the con-
ferences would bar a student from attending his
examinations. Last year when the first eXami-
nations under the system came out only sixteen
out Of seven hundred students had failed to at
tend the conferences. The papers submitted
showed great benefit TO the mass of students,
while naturally the 'grinds,' or brightest men,
did not gain To a noticeable degree
1T is hard TO define the tutor. but I should say
he was a combination Cf lawyer. politician,
guide and nurse. II is his duty to represent the
student and plead his cause; to ask for another
chance. and show that there is hidden merit in
his client. our preceptorial staff is made up OF
the flower Of all American colleges, young,
years II age. Some Of them are pursuing indie
pendent research in addition TO their regular
work. They well qualified by age, knOwl-
edge and fresh enthusiasm 10 gain the confidence
OF students and inspire them. The professors
also take part in the preceptOrial work. and find
II beneficial 10 themselves Well as the stu
dents The endowment of 50 SOC 600 necessary
70 the system is being raised. and we are also
being helped 10y five years subscriptions"
DR. Z G Richardson. librarian Of the uni
versity, said:
The preceptoTial work of the past year has
caused a practical net increase Of 16,451 vol
umes used in the reading room. while there
an increase Of nearly 1000 volumes in outside
circulation and a large use of reference books
on open shelves which cannot be given statis-
tically. Certainly the habit of freqUenting
the library has become remarkable. I should
say that fiction had lost about 30 per cent of
its readers.
1t is very gratifying to librarians that
our old contention for the establishment of pro-
fessorships Of reading should be practically full
filed, though as an indirect result OF the pre-
cepJorial plan We support the Carlylean idea
Of education by reading. and believe it better to
have reading knowledge without university
training than the university education without
the knowledge OF books. Is II not the true ideal
OF the college 70 teach man how to do his
studying Any academic course is necessarily
limited and requires to be supplemented with
wide reading and independent study. The clas-
SIC graduate who has only gone painfully
through a few masterpieces in the original is apt
10 know much less of Greek and Latin literature
rhan one who has read widely in mere English
translation"
Rooms for prece0torial work are being pre-
pared IN the new McCosh Hall and meanwhile
students find il n slight Inconvenience 10 attend
conferences at the widely separated home quar-
tcrS Of the pTeCeptOrS.