ENDOWED VS. STATE INSTITUTIONS

In consideration of the possibility of a state university in Massachusetts we have two educational percepts thrown upon our visions which at present divide America. Professor Maxcy of Williams has warned his alumni against the spread of utilitarianism or vocationalism in the home of humanities. Then President Lowell, representing an endowed university, declares that the offer of free education, as provided by a state university, often constitutes a bribe to students.

The idea underlying both of these statements leads to the same conclusion. It is a warning against the invasion of Massachusetts, the home of old cultural tradition, with a state university. To be sure we cannot have too much education in the past might not have been general enough, is no reason why we should now be confronted with the danger of losing that educational idea for which the small college and the endowed institution stands.

The question whether or not there is a need for a state university situated in metropolitan Boston is being investigated by a special legislative committee. The statistics which they will gather will doubtless show, that in consideration of the 141,000 illiterate in this state, there is some need for such an institution. But it must be remembered that the old liberal arts college and the large endowed university have a precious place in the educational life of America, a place which vocational training does not attempt to fulfill. The fetish of size in education is fatal and the idea that colleges are for all is impossible. Thousands would not know what to do if they had the benefits of expensive higher training. Furthermore, state education, by no means implies free education, since only the tuition-- but a minor item in the expense of a college training of today,--would be paid by the state. To establish a state university would destroy the educational traditions of Massachusetts and make the attainment of higher training possible for those without the proper mental qualifications,--which is not justifiable to our educational system.