Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 66.djvu/382

378 said that the bookkeeping is very simple—the credits for 400 students can be compiled by an ordinary clerk in one day.

The assignment of credits in accordance with the work done by the student rather than for the number of exercises he attends appears to be in accord with common sense and justice. If after four years' study one man has the qualifications for the B.A. and another for the M.A., each should be given his appropriate degree. It may be well for one student to attend exercises for twelve hours a week and for another to be eighteen hours in attendance, but if each accomplishes the same amount of work they should be given the same credit. The plan would prove an excellent stimulus to good work and would attract to the college that adopted it the best class of students.

I should myself not only like to give students credit for the degree in accordance with the work they do, but I should also like to see tuition fees charged in proportion. In this case conduct and character should be included as well as merit in class work. More of the endowment of the institution should be used for those whose education is the greater service to the community, while those whose presence in a college interferes with its work should not be supported at the public expense. If the tuition fee is $150, it should be apportioned as follows:

But I fear that it will be even more difficult to convince trustees than faculties that psychology is becoming an exact science.