New-York tribune., 1920-01-11
Columbia Needs
20 Million More
Says DIR. Butler
Saws UJniversity's Plan to
Increase the Tuition Fee
Means That the Students
Will Bear Their Share
Not to Deprive Worthy
Restrictions Imposed by the
Benefactors Are Opposed;
Higher Standard Is Set

dent OF coiuIipia university, IN niS
annual report made public yesterday
saws that the university needs further
endowment of at least $50 ,O00, 900 to
nroyide funds with which to carry on
its work, provide salary increases for
its faculties and to realize the exten-
sive building program developed to
meet rapidly expanding requirements.
In connection with endowment gifts
Dr. Butler defends the principle of
university freedom and declares no in
sstution of learning can conscien,
tiously accept gift which compromises
its independence.
DR.. Butler goes over the ground COW
cred in previous statements with ref
erence to the necessity of universities
operating their finances under budget
system and declares that while most
Of the appeals for aid now being made
by collegiate institutions throughout
the country were justified, every such
institution should be able to convince
itself and the public that it makes>no
wasteful expenditures and is earning
ss much as possible from tuition fees.
Defends Increased Tuition
Thus introducing the subject of in
crease of tuition fees at Columbia next
July, he continues:
Higher education has always been
provided at fraction of its cost. but.
unfortunately, as it's cost has increased
the charge made for it has too often
stood still or been increased in much
smaller proportion. 1t is certainly not
Legitimate use of the income of funds
given by the public for the endowment
Of higher education to continue to
provide for the sons and daughters of
the well-to-do a very expensive oppor-
tunity for higher education at the same
scale of fees that prevailed a genera
ton or more ago.
"Where tuition fees have not been
sharply raised q university is hardly
justified in appealing to the public for
support. 1t has not made full use of
its opportunities within its own con-
.nI.
Not to Deprive Students
'1t is fallacy to suppose thae de-
serving students will be deprived of a
college or university education if tut
ton fees are increased by any amount
that is likely to be suggested. Expe-
rience proves just the contrary. What
is important in sdch cases is that ample
provision be made to care for those
students who, having proved their fit
ness, would be deprived of a college
or university education unless financial
aid were forthcoming.
THE glory of any American univer-
sity-certainly the glory of the Colum-
bia University to-day-is the large
number of students who by their own
efforts are earning all or part of the
money needed to keep them in univer-
sity residence"
Columbia, DR.. Butler proceeds, "is
now at point where, with its present
great enrolment and a moderate in
crease in the university and tuition
fees, it will be able to support the
work in progress, and to meet the cost"
Higher Standard Set
Dr. Butler reports that the adapta-
ton of the army psychological test at
Columbia has served to bring forward
highly intelligent type of student.
He also notes q change in the Amer
lean attitude toward the classics,
which, heretofore, have been neglected
IN an increasing degree. At the same
time he describes Columbia's efforts
to improve and enlarge its technical
engineering courses.
President Butler also takes occasion
to note an increasing respect in the
world at large for men who have spent
years in scholarly discipline and asso-
clation, citing as examples President
Wilson and Premier Clemenceau.
The fact Of the matter" he says, us
that the university teacher has some
time since ceased to belong to class
apart, to an isolated group leading. a
iife carefully protected and hedged |
about from contact with the world Of
tifairs. The university teacher is
everywhere as adviser, as guide, as ad |
mfnlssrasor: and as his personal serv |
re extends over a constantly widening |
Heid, 80 his influence marks the in !
ereasing Interpretation of the univer- |
s'fy and practical life. Indeed, there
= = nc better training in practical af- |
1airs than that which the business of a |
modern university affords"
Opposes Onerous Restrictions
Discussing tendency on the part Of |
wcnld-be university bcnefactors to |
aisdge their gifts with onerous restric- |
lions, Dr.. Butler says:
At not infrequent intervals pro-
yssasa are made that the university |
saks over and administer certain prop
s.sses, real and personal, which those |
sno make the proposals appear to be-
.seye to be gifts to the university and |
Iof its benefit. In fact, however, these
are often proposals that the university I
saAis act, under the narrowest of re-
ssf,es'ons. 10 carry out some purpose !
s sa'en the individual making the pro-
Hoasi has in mind, but which may not |
~ all germanc TO the work of the |
sshssersity or in accordance with its |
ssnrss for expansion and improve
Can't Accept on Conditions
Under no circumstances should, or
sA any seif-respecting university ac-
vs gift upon conditions which fix /
:. nansp~r ita complete freedom in the
-. ssasfoi Of iss own educational policies
~ ~ ~e.iyities. To accept gift on con-
Ss',on that certain doctrine or theory
.Aagnt Or be not taught. or on CON
sass ,Sn snat certain administrative !
!. ss'sy Dc pursued or be not pursued. is
surrender a univers;ty'g freedom
Ss g strike blow at what should be I
Ss.s eharAetsr,gtic independence. In /
Ms any donor, wao would attempt to
a ~ q ? university, either as to the form
Il. - content Of sts teaching of an to
as..an'n 'nissratiye policies, would be
.9kssous VIZ person.
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