University Renews Measures to Discourage Students Employing Tutoring Schools for Midyears

With the approach of the mid-year examinations, the University and individual courses have once more taken steps to discourage students from frequenting tutoring schools which, according to Dean Hanford last Spring, "exert an evil influence upon the college."

History I has followed up its policy of checking reading notes and of watching for signs of tutoring with a system of noting those whose work evidences a dependence on the cram parlors. The section men indicate any instances of tutoring opposite the offender's name in the grade booklets.

"Seriously Affects Grades"

Early last fall, the History I staff declared that "canned" answers are easily detected in an examination answer, and termed the use of tutoring notes "mere memorization of material which produces no original thought and seriously affects the grades of their users."

Pointing to its superior staff, sounder educational methods, and more moderate charges, Professor Frederick Merk, Chairman of the University's Committee on Supervision, yesterday expressed the hope that students needing assistance will use the Bureau of Supervisors.

300 Use University Bureau

In its first year, the Bureau has already served 300 undergraduates. Although the Supervisors aim at teaching proper study habits, tutoring is given if needed. Professor Merk indicated that the Bureau is anxious to assist the student who is "willing to make an honest effort to do his own work after he has received help."

Under the immediate guidance of Stanley C. Salmen '36 in Holyoke House, the Bureau has a staff of recommended supervisors. "the most competent persons available." The charge per hour is $2.50, although deductions are made according to the individual's ability to pay.

Following successive attacks on tutoring schools by undergraduate groups and by members of the Faculty last Spring, the college condemned tutoring through a Faculty Council statement and a ruling against students working for the schools.

A Faculty committee stated that "commercial tutoring schools are indefensible from the point of view of any sound theory of the educational process." Reads of nearly all the large courses warned students against tutoring, and devised systems to spike "spoon-fed" information.