RAISING THE STANDARD

Aside from the fling at Eve, there is some justification for Dean Greenough's remarks on athleticism versus scholarship. Only 17.9 percent of all upperclassmen last year obtained honor grouping of any description. This is not a record of capacity, but of accomplishment. It would be preposterous to think that more than four-fifths of the upperclassmen are actually unable to meet the requirements for honors. The simple fact is that too many are content with merely satisfactory grades. A man who devotes himself to studies, and nothing else, is thought one-sided. And the opinion is not without foundation. The well known figure of the "grind" is not that of a balanced man in the Greek sense. But there are many examples in Harvard to prove that one may study, and even make Group I, without becoming a "grind". It is the undergraduate practice to honor those men who contribute some leadership in outside activities. In its strict sense leadership in studies is a misnomer. A man may stand at the head of the Rank List, but if he hides his light under a bushel, devoting his whole time to himself, he leads no one. However great his ability, the pure scholar spares none of it to the common good, and in consequence is not honored by his classmates.

It is easy for a man who wishes to loaf to take the "grind" for the prototype of scholarship. He does this as a sop to his conscience so that he may say: "I will none of it." But the general student body is not deceived. The "grind" is recognized for what he is. So too is the student who, while maintaining his high scholarship, gives part of himself to his fellows in active leadership. No honor is thought too great for him.

The University, if it is to promote a larger percentage of high scholarship, needs to recognize more openly these two types of good students. Most inducements held out are equally applicable to both types. Greater will be the desire for high grades if the University will make more coveted that combination of scholarship and active leadership which marks real preparation for greatest usefulness in life. It will also promote the same end to take away from the "grind", as well as from those who attain eminence in outside activities alone, some of their false glory. High honor is due, not to the man who is solely a scholar, nor to the man who is solely an athlete, but to him who can combine high scholarship with some form of active participation in student life.