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Kansas University Weekly.
development of individuality, but to direct the use of that freedom, to stimulate energy along with judgment, and to teach the student that individuality is only a means to greater social efficiency.
No PERSON has more reason to rejoice at the coming Christmas tide than the student; we hope for rest: we pray for strength: we shall enjoy the fulness of a love which is the mainstay and guide of our college life—a love which does not quite pass understanding, and yet is infinite—the love of home.
We all need rest. Some have overworked; some, overplayed; and some, perhaps have avoided both extremes. But, in any case, rest will be welcome. Opportunity will be afforded us for thorough self examination. Possibly we are in physical or mental danger. If the diagnosis discovers no ailment, it may reveal newly acquired strength. Let us take a look at ourselves. How shall we rest? It would be rather difficult to prescribe a method suitable for all students. Suppose that we all rest by doing the things most agreeable to ourselves and to those immediately interested in us. Yes, but there are some who cannot rest; unpleasant tasks await them. May these unfortunates receive a speedy compensation. Activity might be rest for some of us.
Our chief delight this week is in the thought of home. We shall breathe its sweet atmosphere, feel the glow of family pride, and experience the fond assurance of family approval. Once again we shall be understood; we shall not feel the need of being constantly on guard; no one will antagonize us; our puny cares will be temporarily forgotten. Parents to please, brothers and sisters to make glad—what blessed employment for the vacation weeks!
Lastly, Christmas tide should remind us of life's supreme duty,-unbounded gratitude for the life that is ours to live. We students are peculiarly beset with distracting influences; we take little time for religious thought; but now may the spirit of Christmas time descend in
radiance, dispersing the darkness in which so many of us have been helplessly groping.
We wish you a joyous Christmas.
THERE is one theme upon which every college editor loves to talk: namely, examinations; their abolishment or the proper method of conducting them. This happens we think because the college editor more than most students is called upon to form in his mind a picture of the ideal university. He finds many discrepancies between the ideal and the real and one of them is in this matter of examinations. The phase of the question which is now being especially discussed is the honor system, and this discussion has been precipitated partly by the recent action of the Harvard Overseers in deciding to suspend any one caught "cribbing." The danger is that such a rule may excite sympathy for the offenders.
The true and only really effective way to attack the evil is through a strong sentiment of condemnation on the part of the student body. As the editor of the Harper's Weekly says, "The body that settles what is deemed honorable and what is not in a college is the undergraduates."
It is because we believe that the honor system has a strong tendency to develop a sentiment for fairness and honesty that its adoption by universities seems to us not only feasible but highly desirable. Indeed we are ready to prophesy that it will be in general use within a very few years. It may be just as bad to cheat under the system at present used in the University, but somehow the student feels a greater obligation to be absolutely fair when he is put on his honor left without any surveillance and merely required to certify that he has neither received nor given any help during the examination. It is to be regretted, of course, that any such methods have to be used in a university but certainly a university should use that method which places the student as much as possible on his own responsibility and amenable only to his own conscience.