Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-11-20
Problems
u
Dean E. j. Babcock, Back From Inn
portant University Conference in
Minneapolis Outlines Scope of the
Work Done At Meeting.

Dean E. J. Babcock has just re-
turned from Minneapolis. where he
attended a meeting Of the. presidents
and representatives OF the universi-
ties and colleges Of Minnesota, Iowa,
North Dakota and South Dakota,
which was called to confer IN prob
lens connected with the students
army training work and also to meet
the British educational mission, which
try for the purpose of making an ex-
tensive study of the higher educa-
tional institutions of America and to
discuss a variety Of educational prob
lens growing out of the war.
The commission was composed of
several of the most distinguished edu-
Gators of Great Britain, among whom
were DR.. Arthur E. Shipley, vice
chancellor of the University of Cam
bridge; Sir Henry Miers, vice chan
cellor of the University of Manches-
ter; Reverend Edward M. Walker,
Queens college; Sir Henry Jones,
University of Glasgow; DR.. John
Jolly, Trinity college, Dublin; Miss
Caroline Sturgeon, University Of Lon
don, and Miss Rose Sidgwick, Univer-
sity of Birmingham.
Fundamental Questions Discussed.
On Friday morning the members
of the commission addressed a large
audience at q c%onvocation in the uni
versity arrnory and after luncheon
and tea, the commission and repre-
sentatives of the various educational
institutions continued the conference
covering in their discussion many
fundamental educational questions,
especially those relating to modifica-
tons of university courses and meth
DDS of instruction, some of which have
been suggested by the wal or which
will be natural ~outgrowths of the re-
construction period.
The sentiment seemed to be in
favor Of an increased opportunity for
the development of scientific and
technical lines of work, n also for
an increase in the study of economic
and social problems. Questions re-
lated to the possible exchange of
graduate students and instructors,
closer cooperation and the strength
ening and making more directly serv-
iceable of the work of the higher edu-
cational institutions, were among the
important matters discussed.
Commission to Make Other Visits.
An evening dinner was served, fol-
lowed by numerous short addresses,
The British commission will visit sew
eral of the larger institutions Of the
country before it returns home. The
conference and interchange Of ideas
was very interesting and mutually
helpful in many ways.
Following this series of conferences
a joint meeting was called of the of
fcers having charge of the military
n students army training courses
with the representatives of the vari.
Gus institutions in this district in
which students army training is being
carried on. At this conference a large
number of important questions were
taken up for discussion relative tc
methods of improving the conditions
for academic and army training in the
university camps, in securing the
the work to meet the sudden change
in war conditions and requirements
Results Are Encouraging.
While it was thought many i'm.
provements could be made in the
work of the S. A.. T. c., yet consider.
ing the very short time the plan has
been in operation and the many diff.
f1culties to be overcome, it was fell
that the results which could be ex.
pected within the next few months
would be quite encouraging. Severa,
of the representatives expressed the
belief that there might we'll be a Sigh,
reduction in both the academic an6
military requirements so as to give
the students a little better opportun.
ity to cover more thoroughly both
academic and military training.
While no positive assurances could
be given at this time in regard to the
continuation throughout the year by
the war department of the IS. A. T. C
program, it was the general expecta'
ton that the work would be con,
tinued with such notifications as the
government needs, and which, under
present changed conditions, would ap
pear desirable. Doubtless a definite
policy will be formulated by the gov
eminent in a short time in regard tt
the continuation Of the S. A. T. C
work after formal peace has been ar
ranged.