Southern Methodist University - Rotunda Yearbook (University Park, TX)

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A study of the underlying principles of economics and busi- ness is as important today as ever. A recent survey by an eastern journal brought out the fact that the heads of most of our collegiate Schools of Com- merce are of the opinion that the participation of our govern- ment in business Will necessitate but few changes in the curricula of our schools and that these minor changes deal mostly with the factual material involved in new legislation. My own opin- ion was expressed for the survey in the following quotation: wThe measure of success which the present program of our government will. attain depends on the degree to which its man- agement of economic affairs is carried on within the general framework of basic economic lawsy SCHOOL OF COMMERCE Realizing the need for a conservative school of commerce in the Southwest to better equip future business leaders to cope with the complexities of modern industry, the Dallas School of Commerce was established at Southern Methodist University in 1920. This expansion conformed to the com- paratively new policy of American universities of providing commercial training. Until recently, specialized education for business was gained through apprenticeship and in so-called business col- leges. The training offered by these schools was inadequate in that it gave only a superficial tech- nique of certain business transactions. Dallas and Southern Methodist University afford an ideal location for a collegiate school of commerce. The City is the main distributing center of the Southwest. All the larger and more com- plex aspects of modern business may be observed by the students of commerce. Business and com- mercial leaders are available to be called upon to add reality and experience to the basic principles advanced by the professors. N 0 other school in the Southwest is able to offer such advantages to the undergraduate. The Dallas School of Commerce aims to lay stress upon fundamentals, theories and basic prin- ciples of business practice. The best business men of today are seeking educated helpers with ideas for improvement and not trained technicians. They realize that the technique of any particular busi- ness cannot be directly taught in any school. The Chief aim of a school of commerce, therefore, is to cultivate the ability to think in terms of business problems and to develop careful and accurate methods of work. This presupposes a thorough understanding of basic economic principles and in- volves hard and subtle thinking. The school is a member of the American Association of Collegiate Schools of Business, an or-- ganization composed of university business schools maintaining exacting standards of training. Beta Gamma Sigma, honorary scholastic fraternity of commerce schools, has established a chapter here. Alpha Kappa Psi, professional fraternity, also maintains a Chapter in the school. a 21 e

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At the present time many people are longing for stability, or a return to normalcy. Such longing is futile. The stream of life flows ever onward accord- ing to laws of nature. Every now and then its swirling un- dermines our foundations, and suddenly we find our whole scheme of life tumbling about us. We are now emerging from such a catastrophe. How will the Engineer fare in the new order of things under the New Deal? It is safe to say that a group whose work is founded on truth and scientific laws will be- come more useful, and will be quickly adjusted to the new or- der. The Engineer will be busy translating scientific discovery into new and useful products, and constructing a new and bet- ter world in which to live, MW SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING The cooperative educational system of engineering was brought before the engineering world in 1900 by Herman Snyder, a German student of engineering at Lehigh University, who found it de- sirable to study the theories of engineering and at the same time engage in practical work in the field. This plan of instruction has been adopted by many progressive schools of engineering through- out the United States. The idea of establishing this system in the Southwest was originated by the Dallas Technical Club. Because of the advantages oHered by Dallas as an engineering center, the plan was submitted to the Board of Trustees of Southern Methodist University which organized the present School of Engineering in 192 5. The cooperative method of instruction was adopted With the aid of the Dallas Technical Club in obtaining positions for the students. The original freshman class was limited to one hundred and twenty. Additional students were added as the school expanded to accommodate them. The engineering building was constructed in 1928, forming one of the most modern and best equipped engineering structures in the Southwest. The growth and development of the school is a tribute to Dean E. H. Flath, Who came to S. M. U. from Georgia Tech to administer the coopera- tive plan of instruction. N umerous advantages accrue to the student pursuing a course of cooperative engineering instruc- tion. Practical experience is provided in the industries under actual commercial conditions. This CXe perience is carefully coordinated With thorough theoretical training in the class room. This practical experience stimulates interest in instruction and also brings out the limitations Which practice imposes upon theory. The practical work creates an understanding of, and sympathy with, the problems of labor. Wages received by the cooperative students for their work pay part of their expenses and en- able them to learn the value of the dollar. Because of limitations imposed upon such a system of teaching by recent economic conditions, the system has been temporarily supplemented by other methods of instruction. s 20 e

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A critical examination of the standards for the MasterTs de- gree as conferred in American universities shows a high rank for Southern Methodist Univer- sity. Specific requirements in- clude: the study of a foreign language, rigid prerequisite re- quirements, a full year of resi- dence study on which no trans- fer courses are credited, and the writing of an acceptable thesis. There is no longer the need, as in the past, to go North or East for Graduate study. This is all the more important since the educational, commercial, and social development of the South- west in the future is largely de- pendent upon her own sons and daughters, who, trained in the ways and attitudes of research, can successfully attack the dis- tinctive problems in this section of the United States. GRADUATE SCHOOL The original plan for a new central university, which resulted in the foundation of Southern Methodist University, contemplated the development of graduate work as rapidly as resources would permit, and the charter provides for an institution ttwith authority to confer all degrees. Graduate courses have been given each year since the opening of the University and at each commencement, the degree of Master of Arts has been conferred. The increasing demand made necessary the more dehnite organization of the work, and in the spring of 1920 there was established the Graduate School, with a distinct administration. In 1926 Dr. E. W. Shuler was made Dean of the Graduate School and has since continued to serve in that capacity. Twenty departments in the University offer courses which satisfy the requirements for the de- gree of Master of Arts. The coordination of the graduate courses of the academic departments with the graduate courses in the School of Theology not only gives larger freedom in the selection of a maj or subject, but also makes possible a greater concentration in the chosen field. The courses offered in the school are planned to meet the needs of students who wish to obtain a more thorough knowledge of the subject in which they are particularly interested; those who de- sire preliminary training in the methods of investigation before undertaking more highly specialized courses in other graduate schools; and those who desire to become teachers in schools and univer- sities. The plan for the Masterls degree does not place primary emphasis on research, though the required thesis and the basic graduate courses give ample opportunity for individual investigation. The school seeks to strengthen the interest acquired in some subj ect during the undergraduate peri- od of study; to cultivate a scholarly spirit, and to give thorough training, both of method and of con- tent, in the chosen field. With a growth in endowments and the addition of new equipment it is safe to predict that in the future the Graduate School shall form a center of Southwestern graduate study. hh 22, e