Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-22
SYSTEM AT PRINCETON
DESCRIBED AS PRECEPTORIAL
BY PROF. JOHNSON.

" 'Preceptorial' not tutoriar Is the name
of the new system of education introduced
at Princeton by the president, Woodrow
Wilson, and indeed it has a sufficient num-
Der of American characteristics to warrant
change from the Oxford term
The speaker was Prof Roger B. C. john
son. who was seen by Star reporter
at the New Willard As 1t had been an
nounced that the new method of instruc-
ton would be the topic of Prof Johnsons
address at the Princeton Alumni banquet
that evening, he was asked to outline the
scheme and to indicate dts influence upon
tine student body. Himself a preceptor n
philosophy, the professor Is enthusiastic as
to the merit of the system.
1T would be a mistake TO connect the
preceptorial system" he said, with the
common conception of tutor, whose bust
ness is generally that of coach, who by
quiz and question gets his pupil ready for
an examination. There is no idea of cram
ming in the effort of the preceptor. His
position is one Of dignity, ranking at Prince
ton an associate professor. and his du-
ties, in his immediate and intimate associa-
ton with the individual pupil is to make
the student wide reader and a personal
friend
w COURSE Inere Is no Senttmental1ty
about such an association but a frank
manly companionship for reading in such
manner that there is no time lost in
vain puzzling over a subject. And that
does not mean that the student is instructed
and has all the difficulties made easy for
him.
Personal Reading and Research.
He does his own reading and research,
listens to his lectures of old. and comes
pn,. 1T.
time and in every way tries his own men
tai muscle, but always with the exterior
stimulus of one who is also persuing the
same subject and has the advantage, per-
haps, of being suggestive
Does the preceptor examiner" was
asked
Never" replied the professor; that is
not his function. He may, it is true, debar
an idler from taking the examination set
for the course by the professor, but he
neither examines nor marks. The idea is
not that he should rate the students, but
that even In great university, where the
classes are so large that 1t is practically
impossible for a lecturer, to come into close
association with the many students, even
there by a sort of educational adjunct, the
close and intimate contact of pupil and
teacher may -be maintained.
He must meet his particular group OF
graduates at frequent Intervals,
singly If possible, in his own private rooms
or In some quiet classroom and there, by
ity, rather than his mere scholarship or
education, give breadth and thoroughness
to the students work. There must be no
preparation for a mere examination or drill
upon topic, but an intelligent grasp OF
the subject"
Asked as to results, Prof. Johnson said:
1.-The faculty has been increased 90 per
cent forty-seven preceptors have been ap-
pointed and the salary Is $4,000. The cost
of the experiment alone demands great re-
suits The success is established.
There has, in my opinion, been three
times as much work at Princeton this ses-
sion ever before, and the work has been
of such nature that the undergraduates
have welcomed it enthusiastically, doing
not only assigned tasks, but ferretfng out
all that pertains to subject in manner
and to a degree that could not have been
believed.
No Danger Apprehended.
'"Phere is no danger of too great en-
croachment of athletics on a student body
who have found in personal conference
clue to delight in study, that makes it
impossible to cut an engagement. More
over. the system reacts upon the whole
teaching staff, so that comradeship in work
is becoming characteristic, or BETTER the
spirit, of the place.
THE system has the best of the English
method 1t makes for culture and stimu-
lates not merely broad reading, but care
full examination. Scholarship must result.
Moreover, 1t has q freedom and natural
relationship which relieves 1t of that DOM
ination which makes the oxford tutor i'm
possible to American. We at Prince
ton feel that President Wilson has made
a contribution to educational methods that
must affect all American institutions and
relieve them from many of the atrocious
methods which wasted our student
days"