The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-09-15
ADOPTS SOUR PLAN
! FOR IMPROVING
CONDITION
President Mcvey, Believing
College Morals Are High,
Says Crane Is Mistaken

rather sour way Of getting at the
proposition of improving the moral
tone of educational institutions by
arousing a greater sense of respon-
sibility among students and faculties,
Is the belief held by President F. L..
McVey OF the University of North Da-
kota.
In an interview on the question,
President McVey. with particular ref
erence to the recent public statement
of the Chicagoen that many univer-
stiles were the hot-beds Of immor-
atty, has some interesting things to
say.
about six months ago, Mr.. Crane
OF Chicago, who just now is so much
quoted. issued a pamphlet, inveigh-
ing against the employment of col
lege men in the industries, his argu-
ment being that they were untitled by
their college life for a business call
ing. He has now followed his earlier
utterances by the recent interview on
the %depravity Of college men. It will
De remembered that this is the Mr..
a who was appointed Minister to
CHINA and afterwards recalled by
president Taft before he took steam
er from San Francisco. So much for
Mr.. Crane. Something of what he
says ts true, yet Mr.. Crane seeks not
so much the betterment of the COL
leges as to give them a body blow
that will shake public confidence in
institutions Of learning. He forgets
entirely the larger body Of students
VINO are following their studies con-
s~cientiously each day.
Dissipation Is Limited.
|. There is some dissipation in COL
leges, but my observation has been
that it is limited to a small percent
age Of the men in attendance, while
the attitude of every college admins
tration is strongly against such con-
duct on the part of students. Com
parison with the college life of a
quarter of a century ago brings out
the fact that moral standards are
higher in colleges than in the past;
the same observation is true of the
conduct Of business and professional
men, everywhere there has been a
general uplift.
ITO colleges are sent a few young
men whom parents have been unable
to control, their habits before their
entrance upon academic life would
not be creditable to any community
yet the college is blamed for what is
later called the downfall of the young
man. On the other hand. there will
be found in every college. (the larger
percentage of the students in my
opinion. men who have before them
the highest ideals and whose every
day life is absolutely blameless
These are the men who are overlook.
ed, and for whom the institution Of
learning is conducted. the others are
the scum that would come to the
surface, whether in college or else.
where.
There is no other place, Mr.
Crane to the contrary, where a DO,
is brought under so many %ennoblins
influences as in college. When ali i.
said and done the college trained
man will take Ire of himself. If HI
cant his. education is not alone t.
blame, but the responsibility must b.
shared by public school, family, ant
community.
I'm the University of North Dako
ia student public opinion is strongl!
against dissipation. About sevent,
per cent Of the students earn all o.
a part of their way through college
and they are not willing to throw
away what has been bought at sucl
cost. There have been instances b!
shining against the moral codes bu
the percentage Of those who do ven
ture from the straight way is YER.
small. l have been in a great man.
colleges, and l am greatly impressed
with the high tone Of student moral
in the University of North Dakota
and the boy Of right intent will hav'
no difficulty in leading a highly com
mendable life II sent to the state uni
versity. Nevertheless. If Mr.. Cram
has said anything that will arous'
students and faculties to increase;
sense Of responsibility his rattle,
sour way of getting at the problem
may at least be tolerated"
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