The Columbia evening Missourian., 1922-06-03

the cutting of Of a thousand-and-on
things that tend TO disturb rather than pro
mote academic efficiency. Above all, ther
needs to be such stifening Of standard
as will promote an academic spirit, ans
at the same time eliminate the multitud,
Of hangers-on who resort TO the campus
not for the purposes to which it was ded
icated and for which it is maintained
but as a place of entertainment ant
amusement. The university ought to bs
available to those who seriously pursue
serious studies; its atmosphere should
be favorable to these high purposes
J Things which tend to attract the frivolous
the many whose wish is not for serious
work, but to kill time pleasantly should
find no place in the curriculum and nc
License in the spirit of indulgence. The
taxpayers of California will not grudge
to the university all that may be required
to promote its really useful activities, but
they do grudge the enormous charges
built up in support Of the things which
tend to make Berkeley a gigantic merry
go-round and at The same time a hin.
drance TO serious seekers after knowl-
edge.
The need Of the university is, not for
more money, but for less. A policy more
loonsiderate of proprieties and economies
that would promote every legitimate
requirement and reject every legitimate
appeal-could not fail to rid the school
of hangers-on and at the same time
strengthen it as an agency Of substantial
and wholesome culture. What is now
wasted IN frivolities would much more
than supply liberal provision for all that
is worth while in the life of the univer-
siiy. 1t is neither right nor far that the
taxpayers should be asked to sustain an
institution that in many aspects wears the
character of a country club. 1t is not
fair to those who wish to pursue advanced
studies that they should be crowded
from the classrooms by multitudes who
throng the campus because they may no.
where else find time-killing diversions
free of cost.
THE system under which students
for the most part little more than chill.
dren-are permitted to select courses of
study at their whim or convenience has
been a source of much that is vicious in
university life. Lines Of study should be
adapted TO the capabilities and the pur.
poses of those who attend upon the uni
versity. Prescription Of study courses
is the proper business of educational ex-
pers. Give to students leave 10 choose
courses of study and four out of five will
make choice with an eye mainly or SOLE
ly TO whatever may yield credit and /
hours. with little regard 'orl
none at all to what may be essential to
mental and moral development. II the.
system which plays into the hands of
shirkers were abrogated. if college cours,
es were defined and enforced to the end
Of developing Intellect and character, il |
were direeted-to elimination
of the unfit, we should have a very dif. !
ferent condition at Berkeley. The cost
'f the school would be less. its efficiency |
is an agency of public service would be !
'astly enhanced. The many attendan, |
ipon Berkeley for frivolous reasons NOT |
'nly harm themselves through waste a |
heir own time, through acquiring habiB |
II idleness or carelessness, and through |
timulation of impractical ambitions,
tut they grievously affect the interest of
hose who are there legitimately. Their
presence overcrowds the classrooms. 1t |
reates an atmosphere fatal to academic /
pirit and TO academic thoroughness. All
his is irite enough. 1t is known to ey.
ry observer of conditions at Berkeley.
let the mischief continues unchecked.
explanation is to be found in the obses.
ion of numbers, in the fallacy that the
chool must be made POPULAR in the
otiOn that state support must be pro.
noted by application of the practices of /
alesmansh.p. All which is a tumble of /
rrors. There need be no fear that the
niveTsity will lack support under a pol.
y that would adjust its courses TO those
10 those only-who in good faith. in
onesi purpose, and in sober mind resort
, it. .H
s.V-