GRADUATES DISCUSS ATHLETICS, COURSES

Further extracts from the Report of the Class of 1927 compiled by Lawrence Duggan '27, secretary of the class, show a great diversity of opinions expressed by members of the class. The following statements are selections from those written by men in the class on general College conditions:

"There is only one specific suggestion I should like to make. I should like to have added to the curriculum in the department of education a course in Harvard History. The danger of this, of course, is that it should turn into a mutual admiration society. But under the right man such a course should be made extremely valuable by portraying to us the traditions under which we are living, by giving us some idea of the theory of education as applied to an institution we are familiar with, and by teaching us history from first hand materials."

"I think that more information concerning athletics, managerial competitions and the like should be mailed to the prospective candidate for admission, because, unless he has some previous knowledge of the way Harvard is conducted, he will be so delayed that he cannot go out for extra-curricular activities which would prove of untold value to him in the succeeding years in College."

"Phi Beta Kappa. Abolish the Junior eight. Elect eight men in the Senior year, and then elect no more till honors are announced, when all men who get magna or summa degrees should be picked. This method will eliminate to some extent the too great proportion of 'grinds' in the Phi Bete, and replace them by men who are capable of thinking as well as of 'grinding.' It will thus increase the prestige of the society and in this way further scholarship among the student body."

"There has been a considerable discussion lately of what the average student gets out of College and how to exclude those who will receive the least. A suggestion, probably impractical.

"a. Abolish courses as such.

"b. Also degrees as such.

"c. Work to be done with or without a tutor--individual lectures could be attended optionally.

"Result:

"Without the institution of degrees men would not come to College merely for that objective, as a stepping stone. At the end of any reasonable period of time a student so desiring could request an examination in any field or fields chosen by him, and after discussing his work with the examiner or examiners; the work proving satisfactory, he could be given a certificate of number of years resident and not accomplishment. Perhaps a two or three year minimum residence might be required except in the case of more or less advanced work."

"For graduate students the mere contact with professors who are doing valuable research work may be sufficient stimulus, but an undergraduate feels the need of an interesting presentation from a man who is whole-heartedly devoted to the work of imparting to others the enthusiasm which he feels in his subject. Many of my professors have prefaced their courses with the remark: 'I consider the lectures of this course of little or no value,' and unfortunately the statement has too often proved true."

"I consider it regrettable that the prizes offered by the University for theses, etc., are given so little publicity by the CRIMSON and by the faculty. If the CRIMSON allotted at least as much space to the announcement of the awarding of such prizes and scholastic honors as it does to athletic victories, perhaps as much effort would be made by students to win such desirable scholastic honors as is now made to achieve athletic fame."

"The example set by the Biology and Physics departments in dividing their