A Vote of Confidence

Vote of Confidence

Princeton has changed its undergraduate plan of study, in accordance with the ideas of President John Grier Hibben as stated last February. Beginning next fall, instead of the five courses now required of each student every term, four courses only shall be required, of which two shall be in the same department. This reduction in the number of courses shall be compensated for by the student's independent work in the field of his major study.

The Princton degree will " be evidence that the graduate will not only have covered a broader field of knowledge as required by the student in general, he will also have mastered the fundamental of one subject and will have developed habits of independent thought and study." The new program applies to junior and senior years only.

This is the most important development since the introduction of the preceptorial system during Woodrow Wilson's regime as president. By the preceptorial system the student worked with the instructor and also with a group of fellow students. By the independent study plan the student works absolutely alone except for periodical consultations with his instructor. The new independent study plan is by no means an imitation of an English university method. It is an adaptation of American needs. It is a sound attempt to meet the criticism that the American college curriculum, have been snippets of courses, with the students' work measured by hours like bricklaying.

The authorities of Princeton have virtually put on record a vote of confidence in the American undergraduate mind.