Elder Plans Tightening Of GSAS Requirements

The incoming dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences asserted yesterday that he plans to tighten up entrance requirements for the School next year even if the move will mean a cut back in present enrollment numbers.

J. Peterson Elder, professor of Classics and chairman of the department' said he feels certain departments in the Arts and Sciences have been accepting present dean of the School, this summer and will presumably implement his policy for 1956.

He said he would rather have fewer college graduates admitted in the future and thus be sure the School accepted only "good men."

Under the admissions policy at GSAS, each department accepts its own graduate students. Elder said he would follow a policy of dealing with each department separately in order to maintain consistently high standards.

Some Departments Weak

"Some departments with numerous applicants from which to choose are first rate, but I have a feeling other department have been accepting mediocre men. It is those departments that I shall be concerned with."

Emphasizing that he "could not be greener," Elder pointed out that his problem "is to turn out first rate scholars in their fields. I am interested in getting quality not quantity," he stated. Under such a policy, elder said he could not conceive of increasing present enrollment figures. To maintain the desired high standards even may "involve some contraction," he added.

He further pointed out that the School has neither sufficient instruction nor sufficient technical equipment in the form of libraries and laboratories even to consider a policy of expansion.