Off Key

This is an independent column and may not necessarily agree with the CRIMSON editorial policy.

Despite the fact that the Student Council Questionnaire on tutoring was so contrived that the results will prove approximately nothing, the fact that someone is moving against this luxury trade is pleasing to those who will entertain a conception of a dignified academic calling.

In Sheep's Clothing

The only reason why people go to tutoring schools, that they haven't done enough work, was studiously omitted from the questionnaire on the grounds that the Committee was afraid that "people wouldn't admit it." Well, perhaps. But to disguise this under "too much time spent in extra-curricular activity" is hardly a step toward the plain-speaking that is necessary if the problem is to be solved.

Much mumbo jumbo is heard about the important function of these institutions of higher learning in correlating and organizing the work in some of the more anarchic courses, or in helping the Freshman to find his footing in Harvard, or in this of that worthy purpose. Presumably some help is given, but few have the face to deny that the cash payment is usually made to facilitate the complete neglect of work (more extra-curricular activity, if you will) and not to direct the poor lost sheep to the proper shelf of the Widener reading room.

Granted, many people are prone to leave all the work in a course until the last few days, but presumably if they are of age and mentality sufficient unto the college course they will be able to get through by themselves. If so, well and good, and they will profit far more from the work of this cramming than from having a painless filling up on the south side of the Avenue. If they can't well and good. Out they go. As is, they might get their diplomas from the people that do teach them, if the process can be dignified by that word.

Even the more reputable of the brethren, who do not write theses for hire, and who try in some measure to teach, have never pulled their weight in the boat here. It is perhaps too much to expect, if not too much to hope, that the Questionnaire should be the beginning of the end.  RED RIDING HOOD