Read, Read, Read

Harvard is often held a hotbed of conservatism. Out of this hotbed springs next month a rarity; a wholesale educational experiment. When Harvard men come back from Christmas holidays classes will not be called.* Last spring the governing boards approved a vote of the faculty of Arts & Sciences. Educational machinery ground out of this vote a plan. Instead of attending lectures the two and one half week period before mid-year examinations, the students will read books. These books selected by appropriate professors, will be supplied the library in quantities; will have direct bearing on the studies of the earlier term; direct bearing on the examinations. Students will be expected (but not required) to remain in Cambridge for the period. Beyond laboratory work in science courses and other exceptional appointments such as conferences with tutors, they will be unrestrained. Behind this experiment lies the theory that U. S. education is too tightly hemmed in with supervision. Education is obtained by force feeding; not sought because minds are hungry. Harvard believes a man will learn more by seeking learning; than by sitting on a bench and having learning thrust upon him; believes that the desire to know is stronger than the fear of ignorance. Said Dean A. C. Hanford: "Present educational methods are comparatively satisfactory, but they also lack much of the force which springs from methods more than satisfactory. "A small group will perhaps be carried away by their new freedom, but it is the firm belief of the faculty that the great majority will use their privileges wisely and with great profit to themselves." After midyears Harvard will revert to blackboard and lecturer. May 5 a second period, preparatory to final examinations will be dedicated to reading books.

*Only seniors will be completely exempt from lectures; other classes will test the experiment in graduated degrees.