OFFICIAL RECOGNITION

A move toward wider, cutting privileges at Yale, recently initiated by the Student Council, culminated yesterday in the granting of unlimited cuts to all honor men in the three upper classes. Harvard students will recognize in this decision the establishment at New Haven of a modified Dean's List.

At Harvard the question of further cutting freedom is more one of form than of substance. Although Dean's List men and Seniors in good standing alone have official sanction for unlimited cutting, men in good standing of whatever class are seldom called to account for their absences from the class room. The University administration admits in practice if not in theory that students should be allowed to decide for themselves through what channels they are to acquire learning.

Gains brought by the official recognition of this virtual freedom would be primarily administrative in nature. Abandonment of all attempt to check the class attendance of men, in good standing would relieve. University Hall of a heavy clerical burden, and would also obviate the expense of the present monitorial system.

From the scholastic point of view Harvard could lose nothing by announcing to her students that class attendance is a question for individual judgement.