SUGGESTIONS

Mr. John Dewey, in one of his periodic attacks on the present system of education, remarks that it is strong on its receptive side and weak on the creative; and that the consequence is a comparative scarcity of creative artists and thinkers among us. The American university is in need of constructive criticism; and it must be admitted that it has been receiving a great deal--from the outside. Suggestions have been made by many writers and educators, men who have studied and compared the methods used in different colleges, and commented on them. All that is needed now is that someone suggest a "utopian" university which all might copy; or that, as in the University of Bologna in the Middle Ages, the students should "run" their professors, and if unsatisfactory "run" them out of town.

The most helpful ideas can most effectively come from the student body, from those who have a point of view unprejudiced by long familiarity with the university system. In order to provide an effective means by which such suggestions can be brought to the attention of the authorities, a notice was printed several weeks ago to the effect that the chairman of a committee of the Student Council would personally discuss and suggestions with men who had ideas to offer. If the project brought forward seemed practical it would be presented to the Student Council for further discussion, and then to the University authorities. This scheme enables a man to explain his idea fully, without the publicity which a communication would bring, or the responsibility of a direct petition to the Office. It provides a satisfactory way for the expression of any constructive criticism.

As yet no suggestions have been received, but new points come up every year which appear so obvious that men wonder why they have never thought of them before. Further improvement is always possible, and it only needs someone to bring suggestions to the attention of those with power to translate them into action. Yale has hit up-on the scheme of a series of debates among discussion groups of twenty or more men, upon the subject of "What is Yale for?" The first meeting of these resulted in a keen criticism and discussion of features of undergraduate life. California has a Student Welfare Committee whose duty is to bring forward ideas for the bettering of conditions in the university. The Dartmouth under-graduate organization popularly known as the "Areo" accomplishes much the same work, and so does the "Constructive Criticism Committee' of the Business School. The provision now made in the College is sufficient to care for all suggestions which are submitted--the machinery is ready for the individual to operate.