THE ENGINEERING SCHOOL AND THE HOUSE PLAN

By not sending House application blanks to the Freshmen in the Engineering School the University has indicated that it has definitely decided on a policy of exclusion of Engineering School students from the House Plan. This rule had been adopted in the Spring of 1930 and was later rescinded but it now appears that a final decision has been reached. Seen purely from the standpoint of the approximately thirty Freshmen who will thus be barred from the Houses the move may seem unfair. But the action of the University carries far wider implications and is indicative of a change in policy in the school: an effort to make it more and more of graduate character. Although present restrictions seemingly make a realization of the ideal--a professional school, free from all undergraduate instruction--impossible, the University is now attempting to make the best compromise with an unfortunate situation.

The Harvard Engineering School and all its predecessors have undoubtedly caused the University more trouble than any one of its many branches. The aims of the various schools have never been clearly defined; repeated attempts at a combination with M. I. T. have failed for various reasons, and repeated reorganizations have not brought the best results. It is almost certain that the University would take the really decisive stop of transforming the entire institution into a graduate school at the present time were it not for the McKay bequest with its provision that the "instruction provided be kept accessible to students who have had not other opportunities of previous education than those which the free public schools afford". In order to conform to the will undergraduates must obviously be admitted. The school, moreover, derives the greater part of its income from this bequest which, when it is entirely in University hands (ca. 1956), will amount to about twenty-three million dollars.

The desirability of establishing a professional Engineering School requiring an A.B. degree for admission has become more and more apparent. The advantages to be gained in having a cultural college course precede a specialized training in engineering have been pointed out many times before. But, as shown above, such a combination can not be required by the University. It is attempting now, however, to persuade its engineering students to adopt this course of their own volition. If the persuasion succeeds, Harvard may some day have a graduate engineering school in fact but not in deed. In declaring for the separation of the undergraduates in the college and the Engineering School the University has taken the first step in this direction. For better or worse, the Freshmen have been shown the college; they must now decide whether they want to remain there. If they still desire an undergraduate engineering course it is best that they live together in a separate dormitory where a truly professional atmosphere can prevail. One of the University dormitories outside the House Plan should certainly be appointed for such an use.

Seen in the light of the changed policy of the Engineering School the rule which will bar its undergraduates from the House Plan is justified. It is unfortunate that the provisions of the McKay bequest, which have really become outmoded, can not be set aside. The attitude which the University is taking, however, is one which should provide for the best despite an unfortunate arrangement.