At Penn State, the term system
was recently attacked by a Student-
Faculty Dialogue session, and the
system was blamed for many of the
University's ills.
Constant, vigorous criticism
of the system is a thing to be ad
mired, since it keeps everyong from
becoming complacent.
Its opponents see in it a vic
tory of crass, efficiency-minded
Producers of Manpower for the State;
its proponents like its flexibility
in scheduling, its quick dispatch
of distasteful courses, its placid
Christmas vacation. It is open to
argument.
The Daily Collegian feels that
the term system's faults far out
weigh its virtues, but that the
system should not be blamed for
everything that is odious in Uni
versity life.
Penn State is accused by the
Collegian of being infested with
a sort of "dry rot" which leaves
faculty at one nole, and students
at the other, so that there is very
little rapport.
The term system does repre
sent a move for efficiency, a move
to get more manpower trained faster.
Perhaps the term system, by
keeping everything moving so swift
ly, gives its opponents little time
to even look at the problem realis
tically. It serves as a sort of
"pressure cooker."
EDITORIAL
It is often felt by faculty that
ten week terms give too few weeks in
which to adequately cover a subject.
The system accompanied by longer lec
ture periods also works a hardship on
faculty which must come prepared with
extra material.
Upperclassmen also tend to dislike
the fast-moving system, for time slips
away too fast to grapple adequately
with some deep subjects.
Underclassmen often find it a boon,
however, because distasteful classes
are so rapidly ended.
The term system is not necessarily
here to stay. This topic is certain
to pop up in bull sessions all over
the commonwealth, for the term system's
merits are certainly debatable.
CUB
EDITOR: RUTH BROWN
ASSISTANT: CAROL DE ARMENT
New talent is needed to improve the
Cub this term. Do you think you can
help? Come on all you smart critical
readers. give us some of your time
instead of just suggestions, and
work on the Nittany Cub this winter.