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UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN LAWRENCE. KANSAS
FRIDAY MAY 26 1839
Kansan Comment
The System Has A Few Flaws
The well-known defects of the American system of higher education are more glaring during the week of finals. For sixteen weeks the students are supposed to have been studying diligently and faithfully in the scattered courses in which they have for some reason enrolled at the beginning of the semester. They are supposed, consequently, to have acquired somewhat of a knowledge in each of their various courses. This the tests during final week are supposed to indicate.
But since many of the courses are of specific content, the students will have to do the integrating themselves. A student may take courses in Eighteenth Century English Literature and Old English; yet when he graduates, he may not have an idea of the rest of the English literature or language. Although it may seem strange that anyone can go to a university for four years and then be allowed to graduate without the basis for a general education, yet it happens every year. The foreign language and group requirements in the College are attempts to remedy this difficulty; but in the other Schools those who graduate may know details without having any idea at all of a general field of knowledge or culture.
The evils of the emphasis on grades is vividly illustrated by the type of studying the students do during the last two or three weeks before finals. The students cramming in the library and in every Greek and independent house on the Hill are NOT studying for knowledge; they are filling their brains with insignificant facts and opinions in order to make a grade in a course.
The accent of grades over knowledge leads to the abuses of cribbing, ghostwriting, and pure apple-saucing of the instructor. From an incentive to the acquisition of knowledge, grades have degenerated into meaningless symbols to be begged, borrowed, or stolen from the teacher. As long as students are brought up to worship the teacher's opinion of them instead of the student's own educational advancement, grades will rule over learning, and final week will bring cramming rather than intelligent, sensible study.
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As proposterous as the theory that grades have an innate connection with intellectual attainment is the typically American proposition that educational advancement is proportional to time. The number of credit hours serves as the standard to determine those who receive a college degree. Anyone who goes to class regularly enough for the specified time attains a college degree.
Four years attendance are absolutely required. (Indeed, that seems to be all that IS required—assuming something above a moronic mind.) Although some learn more in one year than others in four or five or six, time is absolute, and just because one learns faster does not mean that one advances faster toward a college degree. Those who can acquire a college education in two years must wait for the others.
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In spite of these faults the college system works to a degree. Those who desire primarily an education are given fairly good opportunities to obtain it. Those who desire a college degree need worry only about having the time and money to go four years. They don't have to worry much about the educational aspects. And those who just come for college for nothing in particular—well, they can easily have one whirl of a good time. The system tries to satisfy everybody. It is a noble compromise—but it should not be mistaken for the best educational system possible.
Recently library research has convinced us that the trend is decidedly toward study.
Rochester Plan Helps Farmers and Reliefers
One of the most constructive plans yet submitted for providing a market for food surplus is being tried in Rochester, New York. In this experiment, the federal government is attempting to distribute surplus foods to people on relief through regular retail stores. As the plan has been applied, food valued at one dollar and fifty cents can be bought for one dollar by buying stamps. For every one dollar purchase fifty cents worth of tickets or stamps are given free.
If the experiment is successful, the plan will be put into operation all over the United States. As it now stands, the scheme helps to solve two major problems. The farmers will be relieved of surplus crops and will not have to cut their acreage. The surplus food can be obtained at a lower price than ordinary food, and the problem of feeding those on relief will be met satisfactorily.
The Chancellor's Convocation
Chancellor Lindley's speech at convocation Monday will be admittedly his first opportunity to say what he wants on the subject he chooses. For that reason, the occasion merits an hour of your time.
You've heard Doctor Lindley speak at banquets, when the chief requirement was to maintain the dignity of his position and at the same time not be boring. You have listened to one of his occasional talks at pop rallies, when it was certain he would express hope for a Kansas victory and confidence that "our boys will carry on the traditions of sportsmanship and . . .." You've probably been in the audience, moreover, when it was his duty to welcome, on behalf of the University, a visiting delegation or dignitary or convention. Indeed, the variety and frequency or a college administrator's appearances are so great that a student cannot possibly fail to hear one of the many speeches.
Banquet orations, pep talks, and addresses of welcome, however, constantly repeat themselves from year to year. And the situations become so stereotyped that a Chancellor merely drops the correct words into a predetermined form. He's expected to.
We are not imploring you to "hear our Chancellor Monday if you have never heard him before." For we're certain that you have heard him. It is silly, furthermore, to solicit student attendance on the purely emotional basis of such slogans as "farewell address" and "his parting words." That creates an air of sentimentality about the occasion that we believe Doctor Lindley would rather not have over-emphasized. Besides, he is coming back.
We advise you to hear the Chancellor's convoitation address, rather because we believe you'll get a thrill. We expect to carry out of Hoch auditorium part of a man's life—a life spent in guiding youth. A challenge will be thrown across Hoch's idle footlights in the form of an experience that few of us can hope to live.
Anyway, if no one knows who's dance manager next year no one will know whom to kick about when they don't like the dances.
We don't want the District Attorney of New York City to be nominated for President on the Republican ticket. Someone's sure to think up a campaign slogan like "How's He Dewey? Hey, Hey!"
The Republican National Committee has announced that this is "National Debt Week." It wants people to worry about the money the government owes as well as the money they owe.
OFFICIAL BULLETIN
Nurseries due at Chancellor's Office at 11 a.m. on date of
CREATIVE LEISURE COMMISSION: The original motion picture, *Burial Spokes*, written, directed, and produced by commission members, will have its first public showing Monday evening. May 29 at 7:30. The event will be presented by the Men's Lounge of the Union Building. A ten cent admission charge will be made to cover expenses. Don't miss this chance to attend the world premiere of "Burial Spokes"—*Marjorie Wiley, Charles Yeamans, co-chairmen.*
FIRESIDE FORUM: A picnic and outdoor meeting will be held Sunday, May 28, an Engleheim. Meet at the Union building at 5:15 and bring twenty cents for refreshments.-Mabel Yeaton, President.
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Official Student Paper of THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS Lawrence, Kansas
Editor-in-Chief, Redickent
Editors, Morrison McBriaddy,
Morrison McBriaddy,
Morrison McBriaddy,
Feature Editors,
Ammos Murmur
Publisher ... Harold. Addington
Management Editor
Harry Hill
News Editor
Walt Minginger, Reggie Bueton
News Editor
Reggie Bueton
Night Editor
Wayne Huff
Picture Editor
Eliot James
Picture Editor
Eliot James
Millard Ross and Verry Branson
Society Editor
Man Lois Bell
Sports Editor
Jam Bell
Editorial Staff
News Staff
Women, or perhaps fashion experts, have been responsible for the topic of conversation this spring when the subjects of weather and the possibility of war have been exhausted. It's the spring hats. Even women who wear them are a bit peculiar bag still among men; just say they are peculiar.
MenDislikeWomen's Way Of Forgetting War Scares
According to an editorial in Thursday's Kansan, Salzburg was the birthplace of Mozart. We always thought it was the place where the Austrian composer was burnt to a steak.
Business Manager ... Edwin Browne
Advertising Manager ... Orman Wanooker
The designers who are responsible for the collection of flowers, vegetables, and veils that have appeared at some of our events say there is a reason. It's all a mat-
notes'n discords by John Randolph Tye
Recommended: The "Hey, Thou" cartoon in the current Saturday Evening Post.
REPRESENTED FOR NATIONAL ADVERTISING BY
National Advertising Service, Inc.
College Publishers Representative
420 MESHON AVE., NEW YORK, N.Y.
CITY, 10039
Does any reader know what happened to Simone Simon?
by John Randolph Tye
Subscription rates, in advance, $3.00 per year, $1.75 per semester. Published at Lawrence, Kansas, during the school year except Monday and Saturday. Entered as second class book at Lawrence office at Lawrence, Kansas, under the Act of March 3, 1879.
The Farewell Varsity Saturday at the Memorial Union ballroom is poorly named. In honor of the grassthe would be called the Fare-the-well Foli
.. ..
There are lots of other important changes like the above we'd like to see made before we leave school, but they don't too late to do anything about them.
There is really nothing unusual in the case of the 88 year old Iowa man who kept silent for 50 years after the girl he was to marry deserted her. He has been seen carrying a narrow escape he wasn't taking any more unnecessary chances.
. . .
"Remember the Alamo" read a sign we saw on the street yesterday. Well, hardly. It was a bit before our time.
On the Shin -scholar announced unofficially to his press agent that he and another marryt will give publicity to Richard K. La Ban and expose all in the PEE WEE SOUR OWL. If funds are forfeiting this "dirt" about the Owl's staff—particularly Vincent Davis and the Great La Ban—will be hawked to their public soon. Anyone desire to contribute a nickel to the worthwhile cause should get in touch with him before said gossip has been printed in a volume.
Allowing college students a holiday on Memorial Day, is like giving the turkey an extra handful of corn the day before Thanksgiving.
Mary Robelle Scott turned the sprinkler system on the one and only Lou Pockele in the Blue Mill this week. Lou didn't take to the glass of water in the face in quite the spirit. She had her own wasting spring evenings. But everything will be patched up before you read about it in the Owl.
ter of diversion, they explain. The world is so full of anxiety and worry in these times that something is needed to make the women feel gay though nations are arming and international squabbles make daily headlines on the front pages of newspapers.
Phi Gam Emmet Hook has gone into big time racing, and owns a string of one pony, now stained at Leavenworth. Brothers, et. al. razzed him about being hooked in the fall, but came in first at a recent race. Now hell have plenty of nickels to buy the magazine and read about it.
Kathryn Krainbill looks all right in media John Dixon's chariot—which he imported from the old home place for a rigorous final week. I might add that the cynicism of this charmer (he is a wit also) is to be compared only with yey Shinster's.
Most University men take a firm stand on the opposite side of the question. Bob Brockett, eq'tl, when asked for his opinion, shook his head and replied, "All I do is look at 'em and wonder, 'Why?'"
Gordon Brigham, c'40, says they distract him. "When I go to church I can't listen to the sermons for looking at the creations in front of me. They are all awake and wonder how they get out at once they are on their heads."
Bob Hedges, b'40, gale statistics to back his point. "One out of 50 is pretty and one out of a hundred on the woman who is wearing it."
But enough of the Owl, or as I have said before, wait till next year. The Pee Wee Owl will give the medicine back to the great masters.
While deviating from the trodden path of the Shin, I might add also that Lois Hays looks all right with or without John Oakson.
Walter Claassen, b39, was brief in his answer. "I think they're trash." Reginald Buxton, c40, commenting upon one hail, said, "I saw one hail that looked like a bird's nest that I looked to see if a robin had laid an egg in it."
While strolling down the Campus yesterday, I wondered why more students don't sit under the shade trees in front of the library; who originated the remark "built like one of Napoleon's better horses"; and why they did not other up and coming universities—which sent me into the library, like a flock of turtles, where I've seen you recently.
In spite of the strong masculine opposition the coeds continue to wear "pill boxes," "pseas basket," and "sailors," proving in some degrees the theory that women dress for themselves and not for men.
Eight Students Will Teach Kansas Schools Next Fall
Eight more University students have been placed in teaching positions by the University placement bureau. Roberta Cook, fa39, will teach music in Ellis High School. Noam Miettow, grn, will be a mu-tut in New York City. Colleen Hawley, gr, will teach music and english at South Haven.
Elizabeth Wiggins, gr, will be home economics teacher at Hanover. Anna Welch, gr, will teach home economics in Great Bend High School. Ralph Duncan, gr, will act as principal of Miller High School. Eleanor Riggs, gr, will internate at Southeast School in Topeka, and Esther Hard, c'30, will teach seventh grade at Prairie School in Kansas City, Kan.
Westminster A Cappella Choir Entertained by Dean
The 70 members of the Westminster A Cappella Choir were guests of Dean and Mrs. D. S. Swarthout last night at their home.
After a short rehearsal, the group participated in a guessing contest of
KANSAN CLASSIFIED ADS
Phone K.U. 66
certain anthems used during the year. Winners of the contest were Eva Ruth Meinke, fa'40, who won autographed picture of Josef Hoffman, well-known concert pianist, and Claude Burns, e'39, who received a Chinese teakwood statuette.
907 Mass. Phone 61
GOING ON A PICNIC?
See Drake's for
Potato Salad
Baked Beats
Potato Chips
Cookies, Donuts,
and Buns
DRAKE'S BAKERY
Delicatessen
Mass. Phone 61
Tibbetts Standard Service
BRIDGE STATION
Open All Night
Try Our Tasterite and
Tenderloin Sandwiches
C R Y S T A L
Sandwich Shop
Fountain and Curb
Service
Complete Fountain Service
All new equipment
FRITZEL ICE CREAM
RANKIN'S
We Deliver
1101 Mass. Phone 678
1101 Mass. Phone 678
HAL'S
"Dark Victory" with Bette Davis and George Brent, is the current attraction at the Granada theater. Howard Bair, this is your free pass. Present it with your identification card at the box office.
HALS for
Hamburgers and Chili
9th, and Vermont
KEYS FOR TRUNKS
Tennis Rackets Restring
Base and Soft Balls
RUTTER'S SHOP
1014 Mass. St. Phone 319
UNION CAB CO.
Phone 2-800
When Others Fail. Try Us Baggage Handled - 24 Hrs. Service
TAXI
HUNSINGER'S 920-22 Mass. Phone12
Castile Shampoo and Set ... 35c
Revita Oil Shampoo and wave 50c
Revolution Manicure ... 3 for $1.00
Seymour Beauty Shop
817½ Mass. Phone 100
PALACE BARBER SHOP
Haircuts — 25c Haircuts and Shampoo — 50c
IN OUR BEAUTY SHOP
Shampoo and Finger Wave — 50e
Permanents — $2.50 up
Machineless Permanents — $5
730 Mass.
Phone 282
"Dark Victory" with Bette Davis and George Brent, is the current attraction at the Granada theater. Dave McQuiston, this is your free pass. Present it with your identification card at the box office.
IVA'S BEAUTY SHOP
Phone 533
941 4/1 Mass. St.
Portrait of YOU going places
OU are important Lawrence would be a second-rate city without YOU Here's how Lawrence merchants buy goods with an eye to pleasing YOU They operate STUDENT stores YOU can be served better in Lawrence than in any other town in Kansas Buy in Lawrence and K.U. will be "going places" with YOU