AN ALL-YEAR TERM

The measure of the American university's war-time service is the maximum of which it is capable of rendering. A hundred percent institution today is one which is devoting the entire energy and ability humanly possible to the support of the Government. Hopeless as such theoretical perfection may be, there can nevertheless be no doubt that universities are falling short of what may reasonably be expected of them. With the end of those initial out-pourings of men, they have failed to keep pace with the increased energies of the remainder of the nation's life.

There is a remedy for this state of affairs which has already been inaugurated in some universities and which American colleges might well consider. There exists the urgent need of following Columbia and Technology in an adoption of a program of training which would permit students to be active in academic study throughout the year. The all-year college term has worked well in Europe and is now needed in America. The summer vacation must not remain an obstacle to those who desire no delay. Of the many young men who no doubt will soon enter the national service, not a few desire to go as far as possible in college before answering the call. It is the duty of our universities to provide such training. It is but in accordance with the whole spirit of the time.

We therefore suggest for the earnest consideration of this University a plan of academic training throughout the year, which will not only place Harvard among leaders in educational reform, but which will go far toward a more complete conception of war-time needs. This is not peace and we cannot be satisfied with a normal college life. The true sphere of the university is the provision of academic training, as much as possible of it at all times, but the very maximum at this period in the world's affairs.