It is not probable that Harvard's policy is generally influenced very directly by that of neighboring colleges, save in cases where conformity to a common standard, as in the matter of entrance examinations, or where mutual co-operation, as in the matter of inter-collegiate athletics, seems desirable. Yet it is not possible that her course should not be influenced to some extent by the reforms and innovations introduced at other colleges. The progress of the movement towards co-education at Columbia, therefore, has been watched with interest by all Harvard men. How far the step Columbia has taken, slight as it is, though containing the germs of future action of greater extent, is of any general significance it is impossible to say. The board of trustees has decided that although it is inexpedient to admit women into the regular classes with young men, and the college is not in a financial condition to warrant it in expending sufficient money to found a school where they might be taught by the college faculty, yet it is suggested that a course of study should be planned which women might pursue outside of the college but under the direction of the college authorities. Columbia thus declares co-education out of the question. But by mentioning lack of funds as the only objection to the plan for establishing an auxiliary school or "Annex" under the instruction of the college faculty, she has practically paved the way for the establishment of such a school at Columbia in the near future. Columbia's position, therefore, is substantially the same that Harvard's would be if the overseers were to receive the proposed subscription of $200,000 from friends of the annex, and recognize that institution as a constituent part of the university, subject to its laws and under its direct control. Such a result as this in Harvard's case also seems to be growing daily more and more probable.