Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-02-18
ASSOCIATED CLUBS
PLAN NEW FUTURE
FOR RED AND BLUE
Want University Standards Raised
to Level of Former
Excellence.
FAVOR SEVERE EXAMS

The report Of the Welfare Committee
of the Associated Pennsylvania Clubs in
session in this city which II scheduled TO
come up for discussion at this afternoons
session embraces suggestions Of far reach
ing Importance OF the future OF the Uni
versity of Pennsylvania. The report as sub
mitted by John Henry Moricc, chairman
with comment follows:
ANY one with even superficial know
ledge of the University of Pennsylvania
realizes that the institution has under
gone profound change III the last few
years. Many interested alumni are deeply
concerned at this change, and your com
mittee has felt that the time has arrived
for tho subject To be brought up before the
Associated Clubs In doing so, IL IS thought
wise to point out some Of the changes
which have occurred and TO suggest
"A remedy.
"Unuuestionablv the Undergraduate
departments Of the University have
drifted away from the ideals they en-
joyed for many years back, down to
about the period covering the last ten
years.
There he's been rapid increase in the
number of students particularly IN the
so-called business courses, the develop
ment of largely attended night schools
of bookkeeping and 'he like. There has
been marked change in the class of
teachers, many of the present instructors
being young and immature, and. finally,
the college has rapidly increased IN the
number of women students, and has cx-
tended the variety of courses TO which they
are admitted. Although the University
may not technically be co-educatiopal,
practically il is So.
From the financial standpo Mt, the
university has grown more and more
dependent on State aid, until that de
pendence on State aid has profoundly
affected the development of the institution.
"In other words, the university has.
step by step. descended from the position
OF college primarily of scholarship and
tradition to one assuming tho burdens and
disabilities of mass or popular educa
ton If the general tendencies above out
lined are not counteracted Pennsylvania
will soon become a State university, rs
that term is generally understood.
Many alumni doplore this change IN
University ideals and qualities aud one
hears on every side the hope expressed
that the University will without delay.
take such action rs will bring the under
graduate departments back to the historic
and scholarly characteristics they enjoy
ed for 40 many years. With this end in
view, the committee recommends that
certain changes bc made in the policy
under the undergraduate departments
arc To bo conducted.
" Il That the number of students be
reduced. As a necessary
corolary 10 thus reduction tho tuition
fees must be markedly increased and the
entrance examinations must he made
more severe. Such reductions in numbers
and increase IN fees would make IL possible
to dispense with the young and inoxporienc-
cd instructors, whose employment has
been unavoidable owing to the great in-
crease IN the number of students and the
inadequacy of the funds to conduct SO
large an institution. The faculty should
be better paid. and with fewer students tho
professors could give that individual
TO students which mass education
precludes. And what is more important
still, the teachers could bring TO bear upon
the students those character building and
cultural influences which are impossible
in popular education.
I'm other words, the university would
seek to educate a comparatively few men
we'll, SO that IL would develop scholars
and so far as possible, men of ideals
character, culture and personality.
"If the University of Pennsylvania can
effect such a change and give the type of
education described, IT will draw TO its
classrooms the best young men OF this
snd 10 a degree, of the coun-
try.
"(2) Co-education in the Undergraduate
should be abolished and an
equally good school for women established
In q separate building with money obtain
cd from the Bennett foundation; the wo-
mems college to be conducted under
University management, and so far as
possible TO be given the benefit of the
services of the faculty of the university
proper.
"(3) As speedily as possible to raise an
fund, to obtain annual con-
tributions from the alumni for the cur
rent expenses of the university. and If,
to carry out the above ideals, State aid
must be gwen up, to forego that aid SO
far as the undergraduate part of the
University is concerned.
"(4l In order that the increased tut
ton shall not bar out young men of talent
who cannot afford the increased fees,
should be established for
boys of character, ability and culture.
20 The university authorities TO foster
the establishment of a college for mass
education In Philadelphia, preferably under
the Board of Education Of that city.
''{6) That the number of courses be
reduced so as to bring the university's
within its revenues. This means
he reIinquishing to other agencies of the
extension and extra-mural activities and
ihe establishment Of undergraduate
courses upon a solid university foundation.
A IL L ~