Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-04-05
DR., libby DEFENDS
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
IN WARM ADDRESS

DIR. Herbert G. Libby, head Of the
department of Public Speaking and
Journalism at Colby college warmly
defended the student activities in
college yesterday morning when he
addressed the members of the Mems
division during the chapel hour. In
his talk. the Colby professor made
several warm remarks at those who
would have the college n place in
which q student would study all the
time that he was, not in class or
sleeping. The talk created a sensa-
ton for the rest of the day on the
campus and 1t is expected that this
morning his talk may be answered
and treasurer of the Colby chapter
Of Phi Beta Kappa. The incident
arose over a pamphlet given to the
professors on the faculty by the So
ciety entitled "A Gold Key or Gold
Brick" DR.. Libby's talk in part was
as follows:
II was handed a pamphlet yester-
day by the secretary of the Colby
chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa So
ciety, the heading of which is "A
Gold Key or Gold Brick It's in
PRODUCTION tells the story of the cleo
ton OF ten members to the society,
stressing the fact that intellectual
power stays with one. and concludes:
other students are awaking to the
fact that instead Of gold key, a
gold brick Is the symbol Of the edu-
cation they have been receiving.
Then follows quotations from college
publications, the intent being to con-
vey the impression that many of our
colleges are suffering terribly from
an over-indulgence in so-termed
student activities. or extra cur
riculum work" Woodrow Wilson is
given the place of highest honor in
that he is shown in the pamphlet to
speak for Princeton, for Yale and Tor
Harvard. The pamphlet concludes
with a statement from a college
freshman. and a Colby senior. from
one Of our professors, and then: is
your education worth a gold key or
a gold brick? If activities interfere
with your real purpose In coming to
college, subordinate or eliminate
them. The way to stop unproductive
business is-to stop The pamphlet
! Is intended to stress the evil result
| ing from student activities. The
main trouble with the pamphlet is
| the trouble with most all pamphlets.
even though issued by learned
society: 1t does not make clear just
what activities are approved, II any
or lust what ones are barred. The
only fair assumption is to include
them ALL" g.
! because I am a firm believer In
having students perform their class
room labors well. and because |
, firmly believe in student activities,
/ and because I believe this pamphlet
| can work infinite harm to college
| spirit and to the intellectual growth
| of our students. desire to say Just
| word in opposition to its teaching by
making a few observations"
| "First on the list is the fraternity
| and college dances. I sometimes feel
that we have too many of them, but
as I do not dance and therefore
know little about the enjoyments to
be derived, I am a, poor judge OF
their worth. According to this
| pamphlet, the dance must go. II Is 9
! student activity. I have observed II
to be true, and 1t puzzles me great
ly, that the very ones who inveign
1 most heavily against so-called out
side activities are those who are
loyal patrons of the dance. Their
/ names appear in the receiving line.
| Now. I submit to you in the IAN
guage of the wise, that the way to
stop unproductive busy-ness IS %
stop. Can young human nature De