The outstanding achievement of the Union this year was the establishment of the series of vocational talks which, supplemented by private conferences between students and leading men of various professions, have been of no small assistance to undergraduates in shaping their careers. In addition to the vocational talks, which were open to the entire University, the Union has inaugurated a policy of entertaining its members with moving picture shows. Other changes include the reorganization of the house management and a new membership system which dispenses with the necessity of enrollment every year.
The Union has not devoted all of its attention to new schemes, however, but has maintained its established feature such as the regular lectures, the tea dances and formal affairs, the tennis, pool, and billiards tournaments, and the prize essay contest In addition to its own entertainments, furthermore, the Union has served for many other outside activities, like the University Teas, the athletic mass meetings, and the gatherings of countless clubs in the University
In the management of the club house itself, a radical change was made at the beginning of the year when Mr. J. J. Mead was made superintendent and given charge of all departments of the building, including the restaurant and the store. Under his direction "sign-ons" for meal service were abolished and professionals were substituted for student waiters in the dining room.
In addition to the lectures by outsiders several readings were given by Professor C. T. Copeland '82, who was elected a life member of the Union early in the year. Another innovation which marked the year was the introduction of moving pictures. This form of entertainment proved so popular that tit is expected that it may again be given in addition to the lectures next year. The programs included news reels, comedies, and special feature films. The first performance was on January 17.
Vocational Talks Constructive
Perhaps the greatest piece of constructive work initiated by the Union this year was the development of a series of vocational talks with the purpose of helping undergraduates to choose their careers intelligently. Before the project was finally put in motion, however, its entire management was taken over by the University authorities, within whose province it more naturally falls.
The lectures, which were open to all members' of the University, were five in number, with a summarizing address by President Lowell at the end of the course. The arrangements were made' by a committee composed of graduates, undergraduates, and faculty members, and the plan was so successful that it has already been definitely announced that it will be continued next year. It is expected that another year of the vocational talks will see the enterprise more completely organized, especially in regard to a greater number of conference hours for students with members of the various professions represented. These conferences were designed to supplement the lectures by enabling students to present their individual problems in person to someone who had practice the prospective profession.
In the series of lectures the first was given by Colonel W. J. Wilgus, an eminent consulting engineer, who described the various branches of his profession which it young man might enter. Speaking on "Business as a Gareer", Mr. E. F. Gay, Hon, '18, declared in the second talk that service and not merely money should guide a man's life in business.
Professor Perry Discusses Teaching
In the third lecture Professor Bliss Perry Discussed the teacher's position and pointed out that the professor's salary is not as low in actuality as is commonly imagined. for the law the speaker was Mr. James Byrne '77; his principal point of emphasis was need of college men in public service which could be met by a greater number of lawyers.
In the last of the lectures on the choice of a career Dr. W. S. Thayer '85 outlined the development of medicine which has been made in science. In the final lecture of the series President Lowell described "The Relation of a Liberal Education to the Choice of a Career."
In accordance with its custom of the past few years the Union continued its series of lectures by prominent men on subjects of current interest. On October 16 the first of these addresses was delivered by Mr. Charles M. Schwab, who outlined the characteristics which are essential to every successful modern business man.
There followed on November 1 an informal football talk by Mr. H. R. Hardwick '15, a former University player and all-American end in 1914, in which he recounted numerous incidents in past games and explained in some detail a large number of action photographs which were thrown on the screen. After his talk moving pictures were shown of several encounters with Yale.
Next came an illustrated lecture by Colonel B. K. Eustace, noted British sportsman, who, on November 21, described his own experiences in the jungle with the aid of several reels of motion picture film. A week later Mr. B. L. Brasol, former municipal attorney of Petrograd, portrayed the dangers toward which the Bolshevists are heading and pointed out the world disaster which their organization is now seeking to bring about.
The last lecturer in 1922 was Dr. S. L. Joshi, of the University of Bombay, who explained how the religious and caste systems of India have affected the political attitude of his fellow countrymen.
Taking "The Situation in Europe" as the subject of his speech on January 25, Mr. Philip Kerr, former private secretary to Lloyd George, declared that America could not remain aloof, since Mr. Kerr was followed by another Englishman. Mr. G. L. Mallery, a noted mountain climber, who gave a vivid description of the perils encountered by the party which recently attempted to reach the submit of Mount Everest. The vividness of his narrative was heightened by many lantern slides taken on the expedition.
Emphasizes U. S. Need of Best Navy
In the last of the Union's regular series of lectures Admiral W. S. Benson emphasized American's need of "the very best navy in the world."
According to a new ruling of the Governing Board, membership in the Union need not be reapplied for each year, but instead all members will remain in the Union during their undergraduate career unless they notify the management to the contrary.
As a result of the elections held on May 3, Corliss Lamont '24 of Englewood, N. J., was chosen vice-president of the Union by a large majority.
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