The Washington times., 1909-06-17
How Hub City Views
The G. w. u. Situation
From the Boston Evening Transcript
DIR. pRITCHETT AND tn E CARNEGIE FOUNDATION

In cutting the George washington
University from his list OF accepted in
stitutions.' President Pritehett Of the
Carnegie Foundation for the Advance
ment of Teaching is doubtless fully
within his rights. Few who know the
facts will seriously question the pro-
priety of DR.. Pritchett's step IN the aD-
stract, or deny that the provisions of
the charter and rules under which he
is acting forbid or discOuntenance the
application of such measures under
proper conditions. Neither is II likely
that even the warmest friends Of the
institution affected by his decision VIII
contend that he has not the law OF
tile case on his side. The incident, how
ever. presents some aspects which must
cause anxiety 10 responsible university
heads and will probably appeal with
greater force TO Dr. Pritchett and ms
executive committee when they have
had time for sober review of what they
have done.
The George Washinton University Is
a ambitious institution which mas never
had more than very narrow shuoM-
ment. and limited opportunity for sell
expression. Growing out OF the older
Columbian College,, which sought 10
meet the needs Of Government en-
pIOves in Washington, and conducted
It's classes either at night or after o.
fee hours in the afternoon, IL mas
within the last sis. or seven years rap
idly expanded its courses of study, the
membership IN its faculty ana D0oget-
It has endeavored to throw OF me
humber though useful functions
il had performed, and 10 assume
those OF a metropolitan university
May Be Doubt.
There may be serious doubt as to
the wisdom of some of its educational
policies. and OF certain OF the means
by which they have been prosecuted,
but its academic process has in the
main been upward. Its chief fault IS
TO be found In a too aspiring policy
which has disregarded the dictates OF
business prudence and has increased the
expense accounts Of the institution IRE
spective of the success attained III Sc
support. Because Of this unwlsdom
and unwilhngness to accept the Gay or
small things we'll done. penang Ine
coming of larger means, the university
found itself last spring upon thS verge
of suspension. and was forced 10 pol
icy of Tetrenchment one feature OF TINS
retTenchment has oeen seen IN the dis
continuance of some courses OF instruc-
ton or their consolidation in fewer
hands In this process nearly dozen
members of the staff have been or are
70 be retired. Two Of them, Professors
Gore and Sterrett, are men of long
university and since they We're eligible
for a pensionable status under the Car
negie foundation, the university not un-
naturally asked that they be given re-
firing allowances Both. however, are
men of influence in the older group or
the faculty, both resisted retirement
and both have for some time past been
opposing the policies OF the INSTITUTION
and of its president. Appeal has been
mace in their behalf to the Carnegie
Foundation, and that organization after
an examination has terminated its con-
nection with the George washington
University, although granting the retir-
ing allowance TO the two professors.
Gives Three Reasons.
IN thus casting OF the institution
President Pritchett assigns three rea-
sons-the action Of the university in
compuIsoriIy retiring Professors Gore
and Sterrett. the depletion Of the pro-
ductive endowment funds tn d point be-
low the required minimum OF lEe Car
negie foundation ts200 e0). and the fall
urc 10 live up 70 the stated require
nentE fer admission 10 the Inst tuition.
This Is the history of the case to-date.
Dr. Pritchett might well have cut of
the university from its connection with
his foundation on the strength of It's
financial condition, but ne shOul4 have
taken this action some time ago or,
better nave refused ever to admit so
weakly endowed an institution TO the
benefits or his pension SyS IN lie
might have taken the same action with
Justice because of failure to recognize
stated entrance requirements Though in
this respect conditions seem 10 be no
worse In Washington than IN many 9TH
er places. out here also his action Is
ieiafed. The George Washington Uni
versitv e in better condition regarding
entrance requirements and its general
standard OF work than wnen IL was
first accepted by the foundation and il
its progress was unsatisfactory the In
spectors OF the foundation should have
given notice to that effect at the eX
aminations they have heretofore made.
Neverth eiess, DR.. Pritchett cannot he
blamed for taxing action even at a late
day upon either OF these grounds,
though his letter to the president OF the