AN EVIL TRADITION

It is tradition, we learn, which motivates the refusal of many course heads to return corrected blue books. It was tradition also which aroused occupants of the Yard and the neighboring vicinity for upwards of two and a half centuries by the harsh clanging of a seven o'clock bell. With all proper respect to tradition, we offer President Conant's summary treatment of the bell situation as an example that traditions have within them the possibility of error.

A tradition that refuses a man the privilege of knowing wherein he has erred on an examination--or wherein he has excelled, has no excuse for continuance. Granted that the ramifications of grading systems would require tedious explanations to disgruntled students. This is unfortunate. Nevertheless, a ruthless examination of the foundations of this ancient refusal will reveal that its roots lie deeply imbedded in laziness. The very fact that all bluebooks are not forever lost to undergraduate gaze once the ink has dried is evidence enough that common sense and an understanding of a defensible curiosity in the student has supplanted unreasonable and unreasoning tradition in the minds of some men.

A course head who now refuses to permit his students to see their graded work should plan a change. Blue books should be returned as soon as possible. If this entails inconvenience to the professor or his assistant, now is the time for a realization that the position of the student merits consideration.