Evening Laboratory Recommended

(We invite all men in the University to submit communications on subjects of timely interest, but assume no responsibility for sentiments expressed under this head.)

To the Editors of the CRIMSON:

Each year, a large number of students are prohibited from taking part in athletics on account of laboratory courses which require afternoon attendance. In some cases, also, students have not been able to take laboratory courses as these have interfered with athletics. Morning laboratory periods have been arranged, but owing to the large number of students who can not devote an entire morning to one subject, this plan has failed to solve the problem.

To remove the obstacle which stands in the way of the student who wishes to be a scientist and an athlete at the same time, there is only one way open--to institute evening laboratory periods. If the laboratories were kept open one night each week, from seven o'clock until ten o'clock, a student could keep up in his experimental work without sacrificing his chances to make some team. The laboratories here at Harvard are well equipped with electric lights, which would make it quire agreeable to work by night.

From the point of view of the College, to put this plan into execution should not entail many difficulties. Most laboratory courses only require one or two attendants, who, in all probability, would prefer to work in the evening. Of course the main objection would lie in the necessity of keeping a building open one night a week; nevertheless, in view of the great advantages which many students would derive from such an arrangement, it seems that it would be well worth while. ERNNEST HENDERSON, JR., '18.