TO INSURE CONCENTRATION

Misunderstanding has arisen among undergraduates concentrating in the Division of History, Government and Economics,--Group III,--through misconstruing the purpose of the final general examination and the tutorial system. Feeling that the addition of a little extra work is a needlessly heavy burden, the undergraduate rebels without giving the matter any thought. To him it appears only that the Office is tampering with his proverbial freedom, forcing him to make a change in his standards--and his aversion to change is great, for he is a follower of custom.

In 1911 the present plan of group specialization was adopted. Forty-five percent. of the class of 1914 chose Group III. This was surprising. But the reason for the choice is evident. The breadth of the field is such that six different courses in Group III, ranging possibly from sociology to statistics and agriculture; are extremely easy to find. Haphazard election of courses was the rule. No concentration whatever resulted. In no other field was it possible, while fulfilling requirements, to evade the purpose of the group system so widely.

It was to remedy this defect that the tutorial system was instituted. The broad field was divided into narrower ones, and tutors were assigned in order that the work of the student in co-ordinating his courses, in shaping his work toward a definite end, might be made easier, and at the same time more complete.