The figures published in another column from the report of the Dean of the Faculty, show among other things a steady increase in the number of students who are credited before the end of their junior year with sixteen or more courses. The number in 1894 amounted to more than one-fifth of the total number (348) who received the degree of A. B. and of these only three had been credited with courses at the entrance examinations. The figures are evidence that the opportunity which the Faculty allows through the elective system for doing more than the required amount of work, is being widely recognized as advantageous. Moreover, they make it clear that the requirement of eighteen courses for the degree, can without too great difficulty, be fulfilled in three years by men of ability especially if they anticipate college work on admission.

The Faculty recognize this possibility of earning a degree in only three years, but the desirability of it must be determined separately for each individual case. The consideration of all such cases is now undertaken with very great care by a standing committee of the Faculty. Only those men who can with obvious advantage shorten their college course, are allowed the privilege, which is securely guarded from abuse. Owing to these necessary precautions, the number of cases of actual graduation in three years has been kept low, but the opportunity for it is offered as freely as is at present justifiable. The three years course can not be opened under general conditions until it is proved desirable by a very general excess in the College of work done over work required. While the Faculty's present treatment of the questions connected with the Bachelor's degree is admitted to be provisional, it is certainly just, and deprives no man of educational privileges to which he is fairly entitled.