UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
VOLUME XIII.
DISCUSS GRADE PLAN
Members of University Faculty Differ on Methods of Marking
NUMBER 78.
INVESTIGATION ORDERED
Committee From Senate to Consider Possibility of Adopting Improved System
Since the recent publication of the scholarship standing at the University, there has been much discussion among students as to whether or not the present grading system is entirely satisfactory.
Is it fair not to count "IIIs" in averaging up the grades? Why must they just have flunk or pass methods? Or why not give extra toward a degree for high scholarship? These are some of the questions being asked.
That many members of the faculty are not entirely satisfied with the present system is shown by the fact that at the regular meeting of the University Senate, April 6, 1915 Prof. J. N. Van der Vries moved that a committee on grades be appointed "to consider the present system of grad" and recommend any changes which they see fit. This fellow-committee of a committee consisting of Profs. F. E. Kester, chairman, P. B. Dains, George O. Foster, W. L. Burdick and G. C. Shaad.
This committee has not yet met but arrangements are being made for a course to be offered in the problem, faculty members showed a great difference of opinion.
Chancellor Frank Strong, in discussing the problem yesterday said: "I have nothing directly to do with the grading problem, but I think that the question should be given careful consideration; and if the present plan can be better fitted, there are difficulties with all systems, however, and so far as I know, the present system seems to be all right."
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS, TUESDAY AFTERNOON, JANUARY 18. 1915
F. E. Kester, professor of physics and chairman of the committee: "I cannot say what I prefer because it is not fair to go to a meeting with one's mind made up entirely. I am reading up about the systems in the other universities and as soon as I meet a meeting of the committee. There will probably be some change in the present system." FAVORS EXTRA CREDIT FOR SCHOLARSHIP
Registrar George O. Foster: "The present system of I, II, III, and funk, is too indefinite. A 'three' means something between 79 and 70 and this is hardly fair. I hope the present agitation will result in some change of the curriculum. I collected data on how other universities grade. While I was at the conference of registrars at the University of Illinois just before Christmas, I collected this material for future reference. The flunk or pass method used in some schools tends to lower the scholarship. I believe that extra credit towards a degree to students who rank high in scholarship."
G. C. Shaad, professor of electrical engineering: "I am used to the three units in grading and do not see any use for four or more. If we start a project with four units, might as well start using the one hundred per cent method with 99, 99%, 98, etc., as grades, and there are certain difficulties here. No, I don't believe in giving extra credit. It makes trouble and does no good. I am a graduate student at the MITMITtees, and have therefore come in contact with the extra credit method. The grades are in fractions and don't amount to much; and they cause no end of amount of trouble. As to the flunk or pass method, I did not improve my ability. I can almost than just pass of a distinct class than just the pass class."
Prof. P. B. Dains, department of chemistry: "If any change is to be made I am in favor of four units in each of the three departments. It too be many. The hundred per cent method is too complicated. As to offering extra credits towards a degree, I do not favor the idea, because we have been taught that you only need 120 hours for it."
Prof. J. N. Van der Vries, mathematics: 'I do not like the present system. We should have four units instead of three, and ‘three’ should be used in a fourth standing. With the four units, the ‘ones’ would be the ‘guns’, the ‘twos’ the good students, the ‘thes’ the average students, and the ‘four’ hardly worth the keepers. With the fourth most of the grades would be ‘thees’ because most of the students are just average. The scale of 100 per cent, 99%, is no good at all; it is childish. No professor can judge it easily. We need to unless he take them each separately and weigh them."
Prof. A. S. Olin, School of Education "I should like to see four units
instead of three, and then the grading would be entirely satisfactory. The other methods are not good, in my opinion. By having four units I do not mean to advocate lowering the scholarship standards but to have 70 as a 'four' instead of a 'three' as it is now."
A Correction
Among the names listed as the successful candidates for the debating squad to argue with Missouri, he was listed as C. A. Reed. H. Read was listed as C. A. Reed.
WANT LOVE STORIES
Editors as Well as Women Like Tales of Ardent Wooing, Hynner Savs
Neatness, quickness of action, lack of information concerning the author, and a background of children and love, are some of the prerequisites of salable manuscripts, according to Witter Bynner who addressed a gathering of journalism students yesterday afternoon.
Love stories have not lost their popularity according to the poet and playwright. In fact he said that love stories are the most sought after type of manuscript. Magazines cannot get lost in a book, but love as a background even though the popular conception points to a poor sale for stories of this nature.
As regards the manuscript itself, the former magazine editor emphasis on a contribution will read a contribution will be much more likely to give it careful consideration if the manuscript is neatly gotten up. The latter should be precise and move quickly.
Mr. Bynner said, in regard to the quality of salable stories, that there was little stipulation except that the man should be able to describe things without seeing them, he said, but a man had better experience the various details if he hopes to give his story the necessary stability and coherence before the foreclosure of interest to the reading public.
DON'T REST FOR QUIZZES
Psychological Tests Show Mind More Accurate After Hard Work
How much work can a student do without think accurately and swiftly.
The careful student will probably go to bed early and rest thoroughly before his final quizzes, but the investigations of the psychology department show that he will be wrong. Prof. F. C. Dockeray, who has done research work on fatigue, says that the most works faster and accurately after a certain amount, and at least faster after a large amount of physical work. In his experiments the student was given mind tests and then put to work on a gymnasium pulling apparatus. For a time varying from two to twenty minutes. He was then given another mind test. The second incurred increases for a short time than diminishes rapidly, while speed increases up to as high as fifteen minutes hard work.
The answer is this. If the student wants better results he should work hard for a short time just before an examination; but if the professor is easily bluffed by the amount that is obtained by doing fifteen or twenty minutes manual labor before a quiz. Many students who have to climb the hill to reach their classes, are hoping that the present ice condition of the sidewalks will not last long. However, the student will get more physical labor than is beneficial either for accuracy or speed.
Eight students have withdrawn from the University since the Christmas holidays. The reasons for leaving school as given by those withdrawing have varied from having to go home to work to just having to compete in a record place gripe. The latter reason has apparently been the most popular and coming as it has near the end of the semester when all students feel the need of especially hard application it has proved fatal to the work of an entire semester's students, but these have been no more numerous than in former times.
HOMESICK FATALITIES
SMALL SINCE CHRISTMAS
Mechanicals To Meet
The. University Branch of the Air Industry Mechanical Engineers will meet tomorrow at 7:30 in Marvin Hall. The feature of the program will be a stereoception lecture by R. W. Wilson and supply system for street railways and lighting in Kansas City, Mo.
HOMESICK FATALITIES
Will Save Money and Time, and Will Eliminate Unauthorized Texts
After a careful and thorough study of student book exchanges as they are conducted at other universities, the book exchange committee of the University of New York amusing at composite plan which they hope will combine the good features of all.
As a result of the investigation of the operation of the exchange idea at other places, the committee, of which Neal Ireland is chairman, lists these advantages as being most striking at other schools;
The danger of securing the wrong text is eliminated by the list of au thorized and necessary texts which will be kent at the exchange.
It is more efficient than the system of advertising books, on billboards agp
It eliminates the waste of time and energy which occurs when students inquire privately for second-hand books.
It furnishes to students an opportunity to sell for cash those bookings made by you.
EXCHANGE WILL HELP PRE-LAWS MAY ENROLL
The commission from the handlind, of the books is to be used by the Student Council for worthy school enterprises.
No definite information can yet be given out as to where the exchange will be located or when it will be opened. This will be announced as soon as a satisfactory place can be secured.
THEY CAN IF THEY WILL
Miss Frances Cummings Says Women Are Able to do Anything That Men do
Miss Frances Cummings, of the Intercollegiate Bureau of Occupation, with headquarters in New York, delivered an address to the women of the University Monday. January 17, at 4:30 in Fraser chapel. Opportunities for College Trained Women* was the subject of her sneech.
Miss Cummings spoke in part as follows:
"The old belief that women can not hold the same positions as are held by men is not a true one. At one time it was thought that women could have the brain capacity to cope with men. This has also been proved untrue.
"The variety of occupations for women is amazingly large. Some women manage farms and mines, others are employed as salesmen, policewomen and health inspectors, teachers and news reporters, and courage. Many occupations suit at teaching require a definite type of preparation. A good teacher must be fond of people, be able to reach and communicate with people, impart intelligent persuasion. Literary work, requiring two years of technical training after leaving college, is one field with a large opening. Scientists can find position in the lab or in the office. Bureau finds employment for more stenographers than for any other occupation. A broad education is necessary for such a position. The field for social settlement work is in the school. You're up this work. Women are admitted to such work after having taken a year's work in the school of Philanthropy or its equivalent. Sociology and Economics form the background for these occupations today, so a knowledge of these subjects will be helpful."
Five men have given their names to Professor Hill as contestants in the local Peace Debate. The winner will represent the University of the State Peace Oratorical Contest to be held in Iowa on June 26. The following have expressed their willingness to enter the contest: Clarendon Havinghurst, Charles Stiller, James Sellers, Herbert Howland and Ralph Rader. Several men are expected to join the squad soon. The winners of the local debates in the State Peace Contest and the State contest are required to send a copy of their debate to the Secretary of the State Peace Contest, Prof. E. D. Schonberger at Topeka, will eliminate four of the twelve on their thought and composition, and fifty dollars will be given to the two in the contest and a man will be selected to represent the state in the western division.
JUST A QUINTET OF MEN
WORK ON PEACE ORATORY
Inez Morris, '13, who has been teaching mathematics in the Topeka High School, has accepted a regular appointment of the Emporia High School.
Course in American Government Now Offered to Prospective Disciple of Ucle Jimmy
Second semester freshmen, who intend to enter in the School of Law in their sophomore year, will be allowed to take courses overseas. The course has been offered to sophomores only in the past but at the solicitation of the School of Law, they may enter to second term pre-legal students.
Dean Green, of the School of Law said this morning that the course in American Government has been on the School's recommendation list for some time, but because of the course courses, law students have been compelled, in many cases, to omit the course entirely.
The American Government course has always been starred—open to sophomores only—and will continue to be a sophomore subject with the single exception that in the second semester, all men who are pre-legal students may obtain permission to enroll in American Government.
Work of Professor Morse Especially Good—Three Hundred Attend
MUSIC RECITAL PLEASES
Three hundred persons attended the recital last night given by members of the Fine Arts faculty, in spite of the cold and snow.
"It it was especially Mr. Wort S. Morgan'recital," said Prof. Chas S. Skilton, "and his playing was the most artistic and perfect work that he has yet done in Lawrence. His technical work is always admirable, but last night he showed a deeper insight into the artistic side, impressing the moods of the piece in careful detail in several difficult points—double notes, harmonic overtones, and playing with the mute."
Mr. Morse's best and most highly appreciated selection was probably the Hungarian Rhapsody by Hauser, Prof. Chas. S. Skilton's composition was high in quality. This was way above first prize in New York by the Music Teachers Association in 1897 to whom seventy composers contributed.
Miss Sweeney sweeeney played the accompaniments in an artistic and sympathetic manner. It is interesting to note that Mr. Oscar Seagle when he was here, fearing that his accompaniment would not be heard on the concert, went over his program with Miss Sweeney and complimented her slightly on her work.
Railroads Raise Rates to Big City, but Students Foil Cruel Corporations
300ST. THE FARE TO K. C.
Although Saturday, January 15 saw a raise in all in interstate rail revenue to Kansas City one, K. U. students who are on the inside are doing little worrying about the additional cents, or 52 cents on the round trip.
A. Kansas City, Kans., student who has for several years been profiling by the cheaper rate from the western state, said that he had the new raise could be avoided with very little inconvenience. With all the trains on the Union Pacific stopping at the Armstrong station in Oklahoma City, a portion of the Santa Fe ones at the Argentine station; it is an easy matter merely to purchase, tickets to one of these points. Both being within the state interstate highway, the students while to rise over the imaginary state line the rate becomes $2\frac{1}{4}$ cents. The saving is the difference between 72 cents to Argentine, 76 cents to Armstrong and 98 cents to Kansas City, Missouri.
Upon arrival in Kansas City, Kan-
one can either take a street car to
either City, or at a 6 cime fare,
get off and go home. In either case,
the Union Station*or remain on
and pay the conductor for the remaining
distance of three or four miles at
Union Station. In either case
the difference will be less than the
regular fare of 98 cents.
The committee on convocations is planning to bring Billy Sunday to the University in April, at the close of his campaign in Kansas City. Although Mr. Sunday is much in demand in the large cities, the committee hopes that he may visit the University for at least one day.
The only two east bound Santa Fo-
trains which do not stop at Kansas
City Kans., are, Number 10 leaving
12 at 6:43 a.m. p., and Number
12 at 6:43 a.m.
MANY MEDIC STUDENTS
TO LEAVE FOR ROSEDALE
Nineteen Medical students will go to Rosdale to take their work in the field of neuroimaging, magnet.
to take their work in the Bell Hospital there next semester. They are: Clyde B. Buris, Paul E. Belknap, Louis L. Bresette, Fred B. Campbell, Robert C. Cutler, Alfred C. Eastake, Louis B. Glovery, Henry J. Howden, T. Howden, William E. Janes, Dayton P. Kleping, the Doctore K. Lawless, Oliver W. Miner, Waldo R. Oechiil, Hugh O. Hewens, Earl C. Padgett, Oak Sundall, Henry N. Then, and Elmer L. Whitney.
WALTER JOHNSON HERE
Managing Editor of Topeka Capital Will Tell Cubs How He Made Good
Walter Johnson, managing editor of the Topea Capitol, will speak to tomorrow afternoon at 4:30 o'clock in the morning. He will discuss his subject being, "The Opportunities and Limitations of a Newspaper Man." The talk will be given especially for students in the department of communication that are interested are invited to attend.
Mr. Johnson is a graduate of the Lawrence high school. When a small boy in this town, he discovered that he had "a nose for news" and the longing to get out in the game choked out any desire for a university education. The university became city editor of the old Kansas City "Times." When that paper was sold to the "Star", Mr. Johnson went to Hutchinson and worked on the "News" under W. Y. Morgan. A few years spent in Battle Creek, Mich., quenched his desire for residence in foreign lands and became manager of the Hutchinson "Gazette".
During the session of the Kansas legislature last winter, Mr. Johnson was Topeek correspondent for the Kansas City "Journal" and became so thoroughly acquainted with Topeka and its source of news that he was hired by the newspaper to investigate* when Harry C. Green resigned. Mr. Johnson was a regular bureau of information for the senior journalists who covered the legislature last year.
A MEAGRE RESPONSE
Students Are Indifferent to Appeals for Clothing for Belgium and French
Two fraternities and a single student rooming house have called up Miss Frances Snow, head of the movement to send clothing to the students in Maine and northern France and left word that they have clothing to contribute.
Miss Snow expects a good many calls this evening, and asks that students who have anything to give do not neglect the matter, as she will have a number of automobiles available tomorrow. Her telephone number is 248578. All the fraternal and social, personal, local, and the sororities have been asked to give the things they do not need.
Contributions from down town have been liberal, and large shipments will be sent soon. Two large hospitals will supply will leave tomorrow.
SIX UKULELE PICKERS
CUT DATE FOR K. U
The Hawaiian Ukulele Orchestra entertained an appreciative audience in Fraser Chapel last Friday evening. The lower floor of the chapel was at least three-fourths filled. There were six members of the orchestra who made the trip here from Kansas City.
The entertainment was devoted largely to Hawaiian music played upon the native guitars which are known as ukuules. Hawaiian dance music was illustrated and the leader explained how the modern music developed from the ancient dances he said he saw in Hawaii old Indian war dances, in spirit at least, while the modern舞 is as defined as those in the United States.
Walker On Program
Dean Walker and Prof. C. C. Williams left this morning for Manhattan, where they will attend a meeting of Kansas engineers. Dean Walker will read a paper before the gathering.
MORNING PRAYERS
Week Jan. 17-21
Leader, Prof. W. A. McKeewer.
General subject, "Religion of the
Strawberries."
Daily subjects
Wednesday, "Adversity."
Thursday, "Science."
Friday, "Democracy."
COLDS ARE DANGEROUS
Member of University Health Service Says They Lead to More Serious Maladies
DENOUNCES LOW NECKS
Says They Impair Resistance of Women and Should Not be Worn
Because of the careless attitude taken by many people toward contracting ordinary colds, a member of the University Health Service has issued a statement on the seriousness of ordinary colds and how to prevent them.
Ordinary colds are taken far too lightly, according to the report, and many people are in error as well as having an allergic reaction to pneumonia or tuberculosis when they refuse to think of a cold as more than a passing inconvenience. Pneumonia, bronchitis, pharyngitis, and bronchial troubles are directly attributable to ordinary colds.
SECOND COLD COMES EASIER
It is important to be careful, to avoid catching colds as one is always dull and stolid when the lungs and bronchial tubes are congested so as to prevent the normal flow of oxygen. This decreases the supply of oxygen for the lungs. These conditions leave the student drowsy and are usually accompanied by a headache due to the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas in the blood.
Students are particularly susceptible to colds because of their being housed, often too warmly, a greater part of the day and then on going out into the air become chilled, and a cold results. The opinion held by many, that one becomes hardened to colds, is fast and rather a succession of colds takes place to form an attack because of lowering one's vitality and resistance.
LOW NECKS DANGEROUS
NORMAN DANDEUS
Women make men liable to attack by cobs because of the bared necks which fashion demands and would do much toward preventing colds by evading fashions edict for low necked gowns. Women make a further mistake in dress by sitting all through class with all their outdoor clothes which makes chilling almost certain upon again entering the outdoor air.
By the observance of sanity in matters of dress can colds be the most easily avoided, says the article. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, as the surface as it is much preferred to cotton, which is one of the best conductors of heat. Light woolen hose are much better for conserving health this time of the year than cotton ones. Be temperate in diet, take exercise, wear loose clothing, dress with warm underclothing, regulate the outer garments to the changes of the temperature.
UNIOR PROM COMES SOON
"The Affair of the Year" Will be Held March 3rd. in Robinson Gymnasium
The Junior Promenade will be staged Friday, March 3. The managers, Foster and Friend, have been working since last fall and now announce, as usual that it will be "bigger and better than ever before."
The dues are $3.50 this year and the whole sum will be spent on the Prom.
The managers are thinking seriously of doing away with the junior farce. They think that the custom is old and worn out and for that reason should not be used. The present plan is to procure cabaret performers to furnish entertainment while refreshments have been made for the service. Hawaiiian quartet from the Baltimore and several cabaret singers.
Ray Hall will bring his ten piece orchestra down from Topeka to furnish music for the dancing. The party will start at 8 o'clock.
The Y. M.-Y. W. party which is scheduled in the K books for March 3rd will not be held on that evening the managers state.
Cabs and flowers are to be under the table all flowers will be checked at the door.
Architects To Hear Talk
HENR 1918
Prof. Goldwin Goldsmith, head of the department 'Goldsmith', structural engineering, will address the Architectural Engineering society tonight at the Kanza house, 1215 Oread St. Professor Goldsmith's subject will be "Building Specifications." The meeting will begin at 7:45 sharp.
Cercle Francais Meets
The meeting of the Cercle Francais, which was to have been held last Wednesday, but was postponed on account of the weather will take place tomorrow afternoon, at 4:30 o'clock. Miss Amida Stanton will tell the story of La House Partie. Every one is urged to come.