Abolish Cut System

The Dartmouth cut system, which has been in effect since before the War, was abolished by the faculty at its May meeting and a new system of unlimited absences from class was adopted for all undergraduates. At the same time the faculty voted higher qualitative requirements for the bachelor's degree and for admission into the junior year. The new regulations governing class attendance will become effective next fall, while the other requirements will become operative with the Class of 1942.

In doing away with the present cut system, the faculty voted to make class attendance

a matter of adjustment between the individual student and the instructor. The student henceforth must satisfy the instructor, upon request, as to the propriety of any absence and must, in any event, assume full responsibility for the work in the course which he may have missed. Records of attendance will be kept by the instructor and reported at the time when grades are turned in. Where irregularity of attendance suggests the need of disciplinary action the instructor may at his discretion report the case to the Dean of the College. On the basis of the attendance record, the reasons for absence which the student may file with the Dean, and the student's grades, the status of the student in the College will be determined. Students will be required to be present at their scheduled exercises on the day immediately preceding and the day immediately following a recess, vacation, or holiday.

In order to secure the bachelor's degree from 1942 on, the student must obtain credit for 1 so semester hours and must attain an average of at least 1.8 for his full college course. Under the present requirement of 120 semester hours and 220 points it is possible for a student to graduate with an average as low as 1.5 plus.

In order to continue in College beyond the fourth semester members of 1942 and thereafter must have credit for a minimum of 54 semester hours, must have attained an average of at least 1.5 for all courses taken, and must have passed during the third and fourth semesters at least 18 semester hours with a grade of C or better. This replaces the present requirement of 50 semester hours, under which it has been possible for students to enter junior year with a general average as low as 1.3.

In adopting the new attendance plan the faculty placed increased emphasis upon student responsibility in the acquiring of an education, while in its other requirements it aimed to raise the qualitative standard of academic work as opposed to the mere acquiring of a certain number of hours and points.