WHICH "CENTRIC"?

There are various kinds of spring fever; for 1922 a discussion of how and how much a college educates is in vogue. The Quadrangler notes that new terminology has spring into existence; "ergonocentric" and "anthropocentric" are the novel tools of the disputators, the first being applied to institutions where practical arts are dominant, the second to those where the humanities are in vogue. There are apparently only fifteen strictly cultural institutions for men (barring denominational colleges) in the United States.

The Quadrangler feels that it would be deplorable "if the old-fashioned college, unable to stand the strain of competitions, were forced either out of existence entirely or to scrap its early ideals and life-long traditions." And we agree entirely, although to do so may seem inconsistent with the impression of our attitude that our correspondent has. The latter speaks of the "new tendency" and our apparent fear or contempt of it. "We are" says Cyril, "afraid of nothing; and as for contempt, that is a snobbish feeling, and snobbery arises out of fear that someone will discover one's inferiority. Ergo, we admit no contempt."

But there does seem to be a new realization that education in the humanities is of value; nor is this confined to the East. For instance, we find in the Oregon "Daily Emerald" expression of the same feeling; "Western Universities too are seeing their dawn; and soon . . . one will no more think of 'going east for mere educational advantages than easterners now think of coming to the west." This is a fine statement; the country needs many more institutions, both ergonocentric and anthropocentric.

The 1922 spring fever may be an awakening to the purpose of an anthropocentric college. If so, we should like to see it last the whole year round.