THE CHOSEN PEOPLE

For a number of years there has been some question as to the adequacy of the system of Phi Beta Kappa elections. At present there are about eight men chosen at the beginning of the junior year, thirty-two at the same time in the senior year, and twenty-four just before commencement in June. Thus a large majority of the candidates are selected on the basis of only a part of their college work with course grades as almost the only consideration.

A survey of a recent class shows that as much as 45 per cent of those elected to Phi Beta Kappa in the fall of the senior year were able to achieve only a cum laude at graduation. Of the junior eight of the same class, two or 25 per cent received honors. This condition exists either because men are incapable of writing theses and relating the subjects in their fields; or because they are satisfied with themselves after they have received their keys and have no ambition to attain further honors. In either case, their election to the society is unfortunate. On the other hand, because of Phi Beta Kappa's limited membership, a great many men who receive magnas can not be elected, a situation likewise deplorable.

The solution would be for the Phi Beta Kappa Society to withhold its elections until more evidence of a man's worth is available. If, for instance, the Junior eight were selected at the end of the third year rather than at the beginning, and all others at the same time of graduation, judgments would be more sure. Then the honor would be awarded after men have shown how well they can relate and make use of the facts they have gained from their courses and tutorial work and thus be more representatives.