STRAW BY STRAW

The slight reductions in the requirements for climbing from probation, announced today, do not, perhaps, affect a large number of men very considerably, but if regarded as showing a possible trend of the official attitude toward probation, they may provoke no little rejoicing and certainly deserve some commendation. Actually it has been made a little less difficult to "get off" probation. The number of C's required for relief has been made more nearly equal to the number of C's necessary to remain in good standing--the punishment, in other words, for being placed on probation has been mitigated.

The extra requirements for men who have failed altogether in several courses, are naturally enough intended to bring these men back to an equal footing with their classmates, with regard to work successfully accomplished. And with the improvement of scholarship in mind, the curtailing of outside activities, such as athletics or publication work is amply justified. But the imposition of extra burdens in the shape of more rigid discipline--and of higher standards, is hardly logical. Any advance toward re-during the added difficulties of the man on probation will be warmly welcomed.