University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1910-12-21

cOll6ge previous W the Nv
even previous to the Civil War. Inc
imDroyement of the programme III
these respects, together with the OPP
portunities offered OF quas.-colle-
siate character in the direction OF
Training for social duties, present
marked improvement in the prepara-
ton for citizenship that our colleges
are now making.
IN spite of numerous insinuatlons
to the contrary the college, IN the
Middle West at least. has shown great
iadaDatability in co-ordinating its work
with the high schools and with the
professional schools as well. 1t has
given to the high schools increasing
freedom in instruction as it has be-
come more democratic in its own pro-
gramme of studies and more apprecla-
tive of the fact that the secondary
schools have their own functions TO
perform and that it is the business OF
the college to educate youth OF GER
tain age irrespective of their special
capacities and future callings, and II
Irrespective of the special subject
matter by means of which the student
has been prepared for admission. Sim
ilarly it has ceased to be prepara-
tory institution merely for few
learned professions. but furnishes op-
portunity for larger numbers to Sc
cure the sort of Fundamental tanning
that will be needed a. a background
for special and professional studies.
Colleges Aid Outsiders.
Nor has the college, in the Middle
West at least, failed entirely to recog-
nize it responsibilities to the life of
the people away from its campus. 1t
has tried not only to guard but to
make available the social inheritance
Much is being done by its faculty and
officers to enrich the life OF the peo-
pie by aiding certain callings to util-
iZe the results of scientific investi-
cations, by making the college the
scientific arm OF the government, and
! by inspiring large bodies of people
| 10 greater intellectual interest and to
more hygienic and rational modes of
living.
The American college is today
showing a strong tendency to feel it
self responsible TO the entire people
OF its section. Thus far this function
has been much more clearly realized
by our colleges of a semi-professional
character than by our colleges of let
ters and science. but the latter also
. are now entering on 4 dynamic period
and are endeavoring to make their
subjects studies that will function
more effectively in the lives of stu
dents and of the communities which
they represent.
If we turn now to some OF its fail
ures. we should bear in mind at the
outset that the agei is one OF transi-
ton and that there is always some
inertia about the machinery OF any in
istitution which is liable in such an
age to produce certain mal-adjust-
ments. But we should not be too lem
lent II our Judgment of cur own short
comirSS. 1t seems to me that one
idefect common to both the lower
schools and the colleges. is lack of
motivation i'll the work that students
are pretending to do. This applies
chiefly to the work in letters and pure
science. The college fails largely in
It's teaching to make use CT and s1o
keep alive and develop the native Gu
r!osity or spontaneous intellectual in
terest of youth.
The freshman too often DISPLAYS
more curiosity, is less blase, and read.
ier to work with the motive of nure
interest in the subject as such than
the senior. This is probably the
greatest weakness in the work of our
colleges today. OF course part of If
is due to the greater popularity of the
colleges. and the fact that large num-
Ders now go to the college with less
deilnlteness of purpose than formerly
But with our more varied programme
OF studies. with greater recognition
OF individuality of taste and CAPACITY
II seems strange that there should an
parently at least, be less genuine in.
tellectual interest on the part of tho
average student than in the older
American college.
mere seems. Furthermore, to be
less tendency to read, discuss, ask
questions. and reflect aside from the
requirements of the class room work
than IN the days when the programme
OF studies made provision for instruc.