LINING THEM UP

Criticism has often been directed at the liberal vagueness which surrounds the all important matter of choosing concentration fields at Harvard. Lacking definite knowledge of what the University has to offer, the freshman must determine his future college career in ignorance. He makes his selection with freedom, but not with intelligence. The need for a series of lectures to guide so momentous a choice is evident.

To the confusion which results from random and misguided decision the concentration plan owes many of its chief difficulties. Students who find that they have made a mistake must undergo the awkward and wasteful process of transference. Others may not discover their error until too late, and remain bitter critics of the field in which an unhappy guess has placed them. It is foolish to argue that freshmen can, if they will, easily get desired information from their advisers or from the official catalogue. The counsel of individual advisers, however ably given, is more than apt to be disregarded; and the catalogue is little more than a list. Equally futile is the suggestion that freshmen audit various courses to find their preference.

In attempting to avoid the charge of paternalism in this matter, University Hall has been guilty of neglect. If freshmen are to make an intelligent selection, they must be enlightened concerning the various fields of concentration offered. The University might sponsor a series of lectures, given by representatives of each department and organized somewhat along the lines of the present freshman hygiene course. These lectures would provide the definite information without which choice of a concentration field can be nothing but speculation.