New-York tribune., 1922-10-29
JoI, Analysis to
Better College
Program Urged
DIR. Caperi, Installed as Head
of Buffalo University,
Seeks 'Regeneration''
of Educational System
Fears Doom of Fine Arts
Governor Miller Scouts Idea
That Too Many Now Are
Seeking Higher Learning

BUFFALO, Oct. 2S.--Dr. Samuel Paul
Capen was installed eighth chancellor
of the University of Buffalo here to-
day. In his installation address DIR.
Cspen sounded a warning that If the
present educational trend in American
universities is allowed to go forward
unrestricted it will mean the speedy
disappearance OF the time-honorcd In
stitution of the college Of arts and
sciences. DR.. Capen recommended that
lob analysis" like that used to deter
mine she content of training courses
for artisans, should be applied to IN
stitutions of higher learning as n
means toward q general Encouragement
Of the whole curriculum.
A distinguished company OF educa-
tors from this country and Canada at
tended the ceremonies and the stimuli
taneous dedication Of Foster Hall, the
house the greater Buffalo University,
while Governor Nathan L. Miller
turned aside from his election cam
paign long enough to take part in the
exercises.
The Governor spoke feelingly of the
states attitude toward education and
of the important part borne by the COL
ieges in our national life.
Cannot GIut Colleges, Says Miller
Although the state leaves the sup
port Of higher education first of all to
public spirit" the Governor said, ait is
equally interested in the college for
the development OF leadership. We are
hearing it said that there were too
many young men and women seeking q
collegiate education. If that can be
supported, it appears to me that it is
an Indictment Of our colleges and uni
versities, because if college life Is what
II ought to be. If its influence is what
It ought to be and if it's teaching is
what 1t ought to be, there cannot be
TOO many of our young men and women
in the colleges and universities.
THAT is to say, that there should be
any easy road provided, because the
things that come easy are not valued.
But certainly in democracy founded,
first of all, to maintain the quality of
opportunity it ought not to be possible
for it trnthfuily to be said that there
are too many young men and women re-
ceiving the advantages of higher edu-
cation"
Some of the things the matter with
"The period devoted to elementary
education is too long. Efficiency is off
set by new subjects crowded into the
curriculum, and proof is wanting that
the so-called enrichment Of the elemen-
tary curriculum has increased pupiIs'
intellectual power.
Secondary Education Too Brief
Secondary education begins too late
and ends boo soon, failing to cempre-
hend the whole period of general
FORMAL training. 1t is too diffuse and
therefore superficial, providing very
inperfectly for the preparation of
those. who straightway must earn a
livelihood"
The three steps to provide for the
regeneration of education,". DR.. Capen
declared, are:
Admission to college and continu-
ance there should depend on far more
searching process of selection than anv
that now prevails.
AS early as possible in the college
course there should be provision of
opportunities for independent study.
carried on in the spirit of research
without meticaleus oversight and with
Judgment only of the final results.
None should be allowed to graduate
who have not demonstrated their capac
ity for independent study and regis
sered definite mastery of some feld of
knowledge.
The college should adopt all means
possible to place secondary education
where it properly belongs and enter
into cooperation with the school avs
TENS from which the majority of its
students come for establishment of
methods Of redistribution that will
prove Of advantage to college and
schools