More Than Cum

(Ed. Note--The Crimson does not necessarily endorse opinions expressed in printed communications. No attention will be paid to anonymous letters but under special conditions, at the request of the writer, names will be with held.)

To the Editor of the CRIMSON:

The letter concerning Phi Beta Kappa in this morning's CRIMSON seems to me so unjust and so illogical as to call for some reply. I am myself a member of the Harvard chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, nor am I so ashamed of my connection with the society that I feel driven to the dubious refuge of anonymity.

I should like to point, out to this new Cato that the candidates who receive their degrees magna or summa cum laude must at least equal the ability of those who obtain a general cum laude inasmuch as a man's entire record is examined before distinction is conferred upon him. The requirements in general excellence are for the degree summa and magna cum laude very strict, unless I have been misinformed. It is clear, therefore, that the unfortunate men who receive high honors, have as broad a culture as their brethen who receive a general cum laude.

In the second place, I should be grateful if the anonymous defender of those who suffer from "a sudden fatigue of academic honors" would explain his profound ignorance of the very nature of General Examinations. If he believes that a "knowledge of Shakespeare-(sic) note by note" is sufficient to gain a degree summa cum laude in English, I advise him to study the requirements for a degree in any literature, ancient or modern, and to read the examinations set for those concentrating in such fields. This applies with equal force to all fields in which General Examinations are given, with the distinct purpose of testing ability to coordinate and compare the varied features of several periods of history or several divisions of human knowledge.

I am sure that all of us who bear about with us the secret shame of a magna or a summa are filled with sorrow that we should give offense. The anonymous gentleman refers to the weakness of our society. A chain is no stronger than its weakest link. Perhaps the gentleman would strengthen the society and save his evident shame by removing that weakest link. Such a step would be conclusive to his content as well as to ours that I respectfully offer the suggestion of his mature and secret consideration. Alston H. Chase '27 Instructor and Tutor in Greek and Latin