Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-18
EDUCATORS BACK
DEGREE EXPOSURE
Presidents of George Wash
ington and Georgetown Uni
versities Stress Standards.

The exposure by The Star of the
ease with which a degree granting
university can be established in the
District was given the highest in
dorsement today by DR.. William
Mather Lewis, president of George
Washington University.
DR.. Lewis expressed the hope that
the result would be to bring from
under cover some of the low-grade col
leges which have been founded here
under what is considered an made
quate law.
The only way that l can see to
help this situation" DIR. Lewis said,
lis to let the public know the real
facts and thus arouse public senti-
ment. My attention has been called
to this situation for some time, both
in Washington and in my journeys
through the country. There have
been movements to remedy the situa-
ton on the part of the reputable edu-
Gators here in the past, but it was
impossible to accomplish much with
out the backing of the public.
Cites Specific Case.
THE situation has been called to
my attention at various colleges in the
West. | remember one case in par
ticular. A young man had presented
credentials from a college in Wash
ington as a candidate for an adj
vanced degree. When he was asked
how long he had attended classes at
this college he said that he never had
done any residence work at all. He
merely had studied some sort of course
for a few months, paid $50 and OBJ
tanned an A. 3. degree.
Ia, 80
tuition this was. l could only answer
that it had no standing in the com
munity. But, as The Star has shown,
it is entirely possible for any five
men. regardless of their qualifications,
to organize and grant degrees. | am
told that many degrees have been sold
in Europe, particularly in Switzerland.
OF course, these degrees mean moth
ing to those familiar with the stu
alton.
But the tragedy of the whole sit
uation is that they reflect upon the
reputable colleges and universities
here. 1t is to our interest to have
them exposed, and, If possible, put out
of business. l hope this present ex-
posture results in some action which
will force them into the open. There
should be some way in which all the
colleges in the District, reputable or
otherwise, should be forced to present
evidence of their qualifications to pre-
sent degrees to students.
Favors General Standard.
II believe also that there should be
some standard for the various degrees.
which would be set up for the whole
country. There are some honest col
leges giving A. B. degrees which have
not the facilities for giving an educa-
tional equivalent greater than is given
by first.class high schools.
Il sincerely hope this movement is
continued Very little can he done so
long as realization of this disgraceful
situation is confined TO educators.
The Star has revealed 1t in forceful
manner and l hope something will
be done"
Rev. Charles W. Lyons, president Of
Georgetown University declined TO
comment on means for putting the
low grade colleges out of business,
but expressed approval of showing
conditions here as they are.
Both Georgetown and George Wash
ington Universities are chartered by
Congress and thus operate by direct
authority of the United States Gov
eminent.
Father Lyons explained that the
policy of Georgetown has been to
submit TO inspection Of the American
Association of Universities, which,
while it has no official standing, passes
upon the qualifications Of a consider
able body Of reputable colleges to
grant degrees and insists on proper
courses and a properly trained faculty.
| as well as rigid schedule Of classes
| and prescribed entrance requirements.
regents of the University of New
| York. has set a standard for various
| degrees and frowned upon any mixing
| Of baccalaureate and academic de-
grees. Thus Georgetown no longer
/ grants an honorary doctor of philoso-
phy degree. holding that this should
! be obtained only by study.