THE UNION'S YEAR

A review of the Union's activities for the past year is the record of an ordinary season. The vocational talks under the auspices of the University served a genuine purpose and were a successful innovation. But the principle value of the Union was, as in the past, its service as a club and as a common meeting-place for University organizations and activities.

This dual function of the Union indicates its greatest problem. Major Higginson hoped that his gift might serve as a club to which all Harvard students should belong, but his idea has remained largely a pious hope. The Union has approximately 1500 members, of whom, about eleven percent are members of no other college club. It is for these men--in so far at least as they are not Freshmen--that the Union exists as a club and it is by these men that the Union is used--and used incidentally to a greater extent than the Harvard Club of Boston. The idea of a great democratic club to which all students belong--whatever may be its theoretical, appeal--must be abandoned, if we are not hypocritical, in favor of the idea of a club for a large but minority group.

To its twenty percent membership which does not use the building for club purposes and to the rest of the University, the Union also has duties that of serving as a common meeting-place and that of serving as an institute of education and interest, the latter of which is accomplished largely by means of a schedule of lectures which has on the whole been of high standard. It may be regretted, however, that the lecturers have not expressed more affirmative rather than merely informative opinions. Whether through chance or through fear that opinions expressed on the platform might be considered as representing the views of the University, the fact remains that the Union has had a very small proportion of speakers representing distinctive opinions in American life.

One vital problem remains; that of the deficit which has been annually incurred and annually paid by the University. Next year an attempt will be made to put the management of the Union on a more scientific basis, while the membership will probably be increased by the new method of counting men as members until they resign. With a clear recognition of its dual purpose and with a prospect for better financial condition, the Union may look forward to a successful future.