STUDENT COUNCIL REJECTS SUGGESTED HONOR SYSTEM

The rejection of a proposed honor system in University examinations and the acceptance of a plan changing the mode of electing Senior marshals were the chief accomplishments of the Student Council meeting last night. The question of choosing cheer leaders on a competitive basis was discussed, but action was deferred. It was voted, however, to name E. W. Martin '26 as cheer leader for the third Yale hockey game.

The committee, headed by D. B. Fleming '25, which was appointed to consider the advisability of adopting an honor system in examinations, reported unanimously against the introduction of such a system. The report submitted by Fleming, J. L. Caughey Jr. '25, H. M. Hart Jr. '26, S. de J. Osborne '26, and J. F. Barnes '27, the members of the committee, was in part as follows:

"The committee has unanimously agreed that the merits of the Honor System, as the term is commonly understood, do not warrant its adoption at present by Harvard University. The reasons for this decision on the part of the committee are four-fold; the size of Harvard, the loosely-knit organization of the University, the lack of any strong feeling of dissatisfaction with the present system of proctors, and the changing nature of examinations.

Suitable in Small Colleges

"In nearly all of the colleges questioned by the committee, the opinion was held that the system was to be seen at its best only in an institution of comparatively small numbers. . . . .

"The second point is that of the loosely-knit organization of the University. . . . The presence of a large number of day-scholars who are therefore removed from the solidifying influence of dormitory life, would tend to break down group consciousness, and the absence of a large majority with common standards and backgrounds would tend to defeat the practical working of the plan.

"One of the most vital things to be considered in the opinion of the committee, is the lack of a strong feeling of dissatisfaction among the students with the present use of proctors in examinations. . . .

"The last point in this report is what we feel to be the changing status of examinations. We feel that the evolution of the examination in the last few years gives good grounds for supposing that it will become even increasingly difficult for any student to cheat in an examination.

May Improve Present System

"In conclusion, the Committee would like to point out that while at present the introduction of the Honor System seems practically unwarranted and unfeasible, nevertheless much can be done in the way of making the present system more flexible. The gradual breaking-down of the double moral standard which permits an attitude toward academic obligations that would not be countenanced in daily life is of vital importance. Such a policy might result in the gradual elimination of the proctors with the introduction of none of those features of the Honor System which appear exaggerated and unnatural to many students. We would like to mention among these possible changes, the elimination of the rule that examination papers may not be written upon, and the gradual relaxation of officious vigilance which is in rare cases objectionable. . . .

"The idea that we wish most firmly to imprint in this report, is that the best solution of whatever problem does exist, lies in the creation, by the Student Council and other undergraduate organizations, of a general attitude which would look on the proctor more and more as an aid, as a special help to the student, and less and less as an antagonistic watch-dog, set over a room to find as many morally deficient students as possible."

Approve Marshal Election Change

The Council voted unanimously to endorse the report of the committee on the election of Senior Marshals, of which J. J. Maher '26 was chairman. The question was referred to the class of 1926 for ratification, as a change in the class constitution is necessary.

The report of the committee follows:

"The committee has gone over the merits and faults of the present method and other methods for the election of Senior Marshals which have been suggested, and unanimously recommends that the constitution of the class be so amended that the following system be used in future, marshalship elections.

"The nominations shall be made as at present. Every elector shall vote for three candidates for marshals, indicating no preference for first, second, or third marshal. The candidates receiving the three highest total of votes shall be declared marshals.

"On the ballot for the second election, the names of three marshals shall appear. Every elector shall vote for one man for first marshal.

"The candidate receiving the highest total shall be declared first marshal. The candidate receiving the second highest vote shall be declared second marshal. The candidate receiving third highest shall be third marshal.