University of Chicago - Cap and Gown Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

Page 13 text:

In speaking of the University oi Chicago, Kirpatrick, Vice Chancellor, states that the tteducational philosophy and mission of the University of Chicago exists best Within a smail area where tiresearch and discoveries in one held becomes related to and of service to another. This con- cept of the University of Chicago has led Kirkpatrick to be influential in aceomplishing redevelopment of the area surrounding the University. According to Kirkpatrick, there is a tremendous need for expansion in higher levels of education due to the high birth rate of the 19402:. and to the increasing number of students seeking to acquire coiiege educations. The Uni- versity of Chicago is attempting to keep pace with this expansicm by increasing the student enrollment, broaden- ing research and other facilities, and accepting many for- eign students. By thus enlarging the University commu- nity, the real genius of the University of Chicago is en- couraged; this genius exists, says Kirkpatrick, ttwhen our faculty and students live and work in the University community. James E. Newman, director of Student Activities, con- siders his organization to be a laison between the official University and the student organizations on campus. Be- ing a type of service organization in this respect, Student Activities advises the various groups which come to New- man seeking information and aid. Through the facilities of the University, Student Activities can provide these groups with the means of improving themselves and their appeal to the student body.

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Dean Alan Simpson, in speaking of the new College, considers two major changes in the philosophy of under- graduate education to be basic to the theme of balancee ttthe keynote of the New College?1 According to Simpson, the new College, in re-organiz- ing the Program of general education, seeks to maintain a high level of general knowledge while allowing the under- graduate freedom to choose electives and greater oppor- tunity to undertake specialized courses. This flexible ap- proach was adapted a year and a half ago as a major step in reevaluation of the University of Chicago system of liberal education. The seconti distinguishing feature of the new College is its undergraduate faculty, says Dean Simpson. A college within a great research community is ideal in its oppor- tunity, yet is frustrated in realizing its potential by the reluctance of the faculty to devote their time to undergrad- uate instruction. An independent college faculty has been created which represents the departmental and teaching interests of its members. This tthappy mediumH in the new College faculty was reached after experimentation with two extremes in undergraduate education, the first of which was departmental sovereignty and the second of which centralized the thoughts of the college instructor on his undergraduates. Balance has been sought on all levels in the college: according to Simpson, who regards the new College sill- dent body as representative of various interests as well as of high capacity.

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After eleven years at the University of Chicago, Mrs. Ruth 0. McCarn, assistant dean of students, director of vocational guidance and placement and a friend and mi- visor to many of the students, was to leave on August 31. Holder of a Bachelofs and Masteres degree from the Uni- versity of Minnesota, Mrs. McCarn taught for ten years in the Minnesota high school system. From 193? to 194-8 Mrs. McCarn was at Northwestern University where she was counselor to women. In 1948 she was discharged from 10 RUTH McCARN RETIRES Northwestern University because of her disagreement with ihe school's discriminatory admissions policy and in 1950 she came to the University of Chicago. In 1961 Mrs. McCarn observed about the University that: eel think this is the beginning of a new and exciting chapter of the Uni- versity. The University of Chicago can never be dull be- cause the faculty isn,t dull and the students arenW dull; there is excitement about ideas and concepts here? Mrs. McCarn will be missed in the years to come.