Commager Advocates Increase In Tutorials, Fewer Lecturers

Modern American education received a stern talking-to in the New York Times Magazine yesterday from Henry Steele Commager, professor of history at Columbia University. Commager, comparing the American system to the European, called for "more rather than less intellectual content, higher rather than lower standards."

Commager would drastically reduce the number of lectures and increase the hours spent with tutors. He feels that "a drastic reduction in the paraphernalia of education--required courses, lectures, compulsory attendance, examinations, grades, credits, and so forth." Commager also suggested a cut in administrative personnel.

Opposes College Athletics

The average American collegian is "spoon-fed" in more ways than one, said Commager. Not only do we feed them "in the form of lectures and textbooks and outlines" but also "we provide our students with their sports and games, wasting hundreds of thousands of dollars."

Kenneth B. Murdock '16, director of General Education, commented that the suggestion for increased personal study was good "in principle" and was something which the University should work for, "even though it would take a long time."

Samuel H. Beer, professor of government, agreed that an increase of tutorial hours would be an improvement, but thought that the University needs the existing exam system. "Don't let them kid you," he said. "They have exams three times a year at Oxford and Cambridge."

Summing up the American system of education, Edwin C. Kemble, professor of Physics, said, "Our system gives many opportunities not given to Europeans. As I understand it, I think that Mr. Commager's plan is second best."