Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-05

Three differing attitudes are taken by
observers of the experiment undertaken
by President Hutehins of the Uni
versity of Chicago which involves the
obliterat.on of the classes making the
time of attendance conform TO per-
sonal achievement, and a division OF
the work among several general groups.
Some comments emphasize the I'M
portance of quality in education and
call this a commendable attempt in
that direction Others are favorable
to the plan. but await results. A third
position is based on demand for hxed
standards.
"As we see it." remarks the Chicago
Daily Tribune, the movement Is To-
ward the elasticity and variety of life,
and away from the rigidity of conven-
tional forms. In the higher education
this seems to us an emphatic need and.
without specializing upon details OF APP
plication, courses of study, classit1ca-
ton of work, readjustments of depart
mentS and administration for more eff
fective cooperation, etc, there is every
thing to be hoped from such a move
ment. 1t represents the highest type
of educational leadership and strength
ems our confidence in the future of the
University of Chicago among the
worlds greatest institutions of learn
ing"
with a tribute to President Hutchins'
grasp of educational and admins
trative problems" the Providence Jour-
nal says of his new plan: "Of course
such change aims q blow at class
solidarity. It also emphasizes serious
work at the expense of leisurely good
fellowship It suggests the gradual de-
velopment of a laborious institution
with less of the 'frills and amenities
of traditional college life. That these
have a place in our educational and
social scheme is not to be doubted, but
we can well afford to see them mini
mized in at least one important scho-
lastic establishment like that on the
Chicago Midway"
"a revival of the earlier universe
ties system" is seen by the San An
tonic Evening News, which points out
that "the student who aspires to be-
come scholar or professional man,
after he has laid proper foundation
universitys scholarly or professional
atmosphere for the time necessary to
equip himself---which will depend en-
tirely upon his own ability" The Lin
coin State journal also recognizes that
in this change there is evidence of
"the hope that the university can be
brought back to its original purpose,
that of educating students rather than
continuing as a degree factory"
IF it succeeds" declares the Kansas
City Times, "as the idea behind it
gains currency through other channels,
transformation of higher education
in America may be at hand" That
paper also comments "It is said that,
under the system, a genius may get
through in two months, a brilliant stu
dent In year That, while desirable
In theory and doubtless in practice in
general. might have its obvious handi-
would be discovering the genius in two
months. There have been notorious
instances in which geniUlses were not
discovered in the whole period Of school
and college training. Few of them
come to college or the world properly
stamped and labeled. The task of the
college, under any system, is to ascer-
tain ability as well as to develop the
mind and, let us say, character"
The Chicago plan is described by the
Terre Haute Star as one which sis de-
signed to give greater freedom to ca
pacity in the student, and larger
measure of effectiveness to the work
of the instructor" The Passaic Herald
calls 1t revolutionary" and the Santa
Monica Outlook onerS the judgment:
There has been much talk Of the
Standardization of students and even
Of pupils in the public schools. The
evils of the prevailing system have been
recognized, but until now no group of
instructors has been bold enough to
act upon this conviction. Doubtless
the experiment will stimulate similar
changes in other institutions of
learning"
cit will pay more attention e quail
ity than quantity" says the Little Rock
Arkansas Democrat, while the ST Louis
Times holds that under this Eyktern.