A LOGICAL COMBINATION

In combining the positions of dean of the Scholarship Committee and head of the Student Employment Office in the same person during the past year, the University has taken a wise and logical step. Recognition of the interrelationship between awarding scholarships and procuring employment has already led other universities to unite both offices under one man. Harvard is, therefore, following in a well-tried path.

With a view to the advantages which can be gained from the combination, Mr. Russell T. Sharpe has made several changes in the method of application for scholarships which promise to result in a more equitable distribution of available funds. He has composed an application blank which is at once simpler and more comprehensive than the old-one. In particular, the revised blank requires the names of two instructors and of directors of extra-curricular activities who know the applicant, rather than the single name of the man's tutor. Information from these persons and from personal interviews with Mr. Sharpe, which are a new feature this year, will afford the scholarship committee a broader and more intimate knowledge of every applicant than was previously available.

Since Harvard awards a total of approximately three hundred thousand dollars in scholarships to six hundred men every year, it is essential that the awards be on as wise and accurate a basis as possible. Insofar as Mr. Sharpe, continues to make needed changes which work toward a better distribution of these funds, he will be contributing of the achievement of President Conant's goal of "a carefully administrated scholarship system".