THE DECREE PAGE 8
Specialization
Dangers
—Allentown, Pa,-(L P. )-The
growth of specialization in high
er education “has undermined
and perverted” the liberal ed
ucation of students, a Colum
bia University official told
Muhlenberg College’s centen
nial convocation recently.
Addressing about 600 stu
dents, faculty and administra
tors, Dr, Earl J. McGrath,
who directs the Institute of
High Education at Colombia’s
Teachers College, declared;
“The training of scholars
and practitioners of the learn
ed callings in the technical,
specialized activities of their
chosen occupation is an indis
pensable part of higher educa
tion, But it should not, indeed
cannot, be the dominant goal
of the liberal arts colleges if
they are to preserve and en
hance their distinctive serv
ice to American society,”
Rather, the former U. S.,
Commissioner of Education as
serted, the Uberal arts col
leges should set as their goal
“the cultivation of the cultured
human being, including as cha
racteristics of culture broad
knowledge, the capacity for log
ical and objective thought, and
human sensibilities and ac
tions,”
The major part of Dr, Mc
Grath’s address was a blue
print for the “reform of lib
eral education for the 1970s”
which will help Americans cope
with “our confused culture.”
He explained that it is the role
of a liberal education, and par
ticularly the small, church-
affiliated liberal arts college,
to provide an education which
gives society more than just
knowledge.
Dr. McGrath urged these in
stitutions to analyze their pro
grams. Such examination will
lead to four new vistas in
strengthening education -- the
restoration of the student as the
center of all institutional con
cerns, the reappraisal of cri
teria for admitting students,
the relating "curricula to is
sues of human concern, and in-
c reasing the role of students
in academic affairs.
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The prime responsibility in
restoring the student to the cen
ter of concern rests upon the
faculty. The faculty member’s
main duty is to teach, not to
publish, conduct research or
provide expert consultation--
despite their importance. Dr,
McGrath stressei
Calling for college admis
sion reforms, the speaker ad
vocated less emphasis on test
scores and grades. Dr, Mc
Grath pointed out that society
will be better served if col
leges educate the more crea
tive students and students from
a broader social strata, rather
than producing an educational
elite. Moreover at least 50
per cent of high school grad
uates can profitably pursue a
liberal education if taught prop
erly, he said.
Many of today’s youth find
their course only remotely con
cerned with matters they con
sider of urgent importance. Dr,
McGrath said. He pointed out
that it is often the most crea
tive student who suffers from
.this, dropping out while his
less imaginative colleagues
“remain and sometimes grad
uate with honors” because “so-
called liberal education today,.,
is too often an academic ex
ercise unrelated to age-old
problems of humanity and ir
relevant in applying modern
knowledge in solving them.”
To overcome this trend. Dr,
McGrath suggested that the stu
dent be given a greater voice
in planning curricula, stressing
that academic freedom involves
the right to learn. “Any new
vista of liberal education must,
therefore, envisage that stu
dents will play a larger part
in the determination of edu
cational policies and prac
tices,” he concluded.
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Bethany College
Calendar Change
—Bethany, W. Va.-1, P. )-The
newly - inaugurated Bethany
Plan, a creative approach which
combines innovation and tra
dition, centers around a modi
fied semester system, accord
ing to Dr. Warner G. Peter
son, Executive Vice President.
The new Bethany College cal
endar consists of two 15-week
semesters and a voluntary in
terim session in January,
During January, students will
be free to take part in college
sponsored academic programs
which do not fit into the con
ventional calendar or they may
prepare independent research
projects. Or they are free to
travel, rest, or earn money
through employment
Projects, which will vary
from year to year, will in
volve three basic types of ac
tivities. They are (1) inten
sive work in one area of an
advanced or remedial nature;
(2) off-campus field projects
involving faculty and student
travel and study in various
areas of the U.S. or in other
countries, and (3) social serv
ice and internship programs.
Although the program is vol
untary, it is hoped that all
students will participate in at
least one interim session dur
ing their academic career.
Concentrated work in one
course will be selected from
a published list of seminars,
internships and filed projects.
The last week of January will
be used by the faculty for de
partmental and all-college aca
demic evaluation and planning.
Student Share In
Major Decisons
--Parkville, Mo.-(I.P.)-Park
College students now share in
making administrative and aca
demic decisions, reports Dr.
L. Richard Meeth, new dean
-of the college. These changes
are not being made under stu
dent pressure, he states, but
because students should legiti
mately have a share in the
kind of education they will re
ceive and because the college
believes that this is the best
way to teach responsible be
havior.
Students will serve on ap
pointed faculty committees,
evaluate current members of
the faculty and will interview
applicants for teaching po
sitions, under innovations
introduced by Dr. Meeth.
Students also rate non
tenured teachers on the basis
of observed behavior—not pro
fessional competence. Ratings
will be used as one of the
factors determining salary in
creases, promotions and ten
ure, A student interview com
mittee, appointed by the student
council, will assist in the se
lection of new teachers. Its
opinion will carry the same
weight as that of a faculty
member. Dean Meeth said. The
committee’s primary purpose
will be to see nuw a candi
date relates to students. Mem
bers of the committee will judge
in applicant’s approach--not
nis credentials.
Although student interview
committees are notas yetprev-
nfciit, student participation in
the shaping of college policies
is increasing in American col
leges and universities. Dean
Meeth pointed out.
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THE DECREE
OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF
NORTH CAROLINA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
EDITOR IN CHIEF Tom Mowbray
ASST. EDITORS Michael Knott, John Dorsey
FEATURE EDITOR Jim Clark
BUSINESS MANAGER Jerry Winberry
CIRCULATION MANAGER Tony DeMuth Jr.
OFFICE STAFF Rich Monk, Susan Dixmi
FEATURE STAFF—Angie Powell, Linda Lane, Jim Clark,
John Dorsey
NEWS STAFF—Maria Gargano, Sarah Askew, Virginia Hall
SPORTS STAFF—Steve Smith, Jim Gill
CIRCULATION STAFF—Teddy Wall, Nancy Gresh, Jim Price
Business Address—Box 3146, N. C. Wesleyan College
Rocky Mount, N. C.