Continued improvement in scholarship among the students in Harvard College, is emphasized by A. C. Hanford, Dean of Harvard College, in his annual report to President Lowell, made public today. The change, dean Hanford finds, is due in part to the depression, and also to the working of the House Plan, the improved arrangements in the Freshman year, and to an improvement in the quality of men admitted.

Dean Hanford's report also discusses the changes which have been made to assist financially deserving students including reduction in room rents in the Houses, reduction in charges for meals in the Houses and the Freshman Dining Halls, and the establishment of a temporary plan for student employment within the University to offset the decline in commercial employment for self-supporting students. The total amount of assistance to undergraduates in the form of scholarships and other aids in 1931-32 amounted to $260,254, or about one-fifth of the total amount received for tuition.

Improvement in Scholarship

Discussing the general improvement in scholarship, Den Hanford says:

"There is general agreement on the part of instructors in courses, tutors, and administrative officers that the undergraduates took their academic work more seriously than usual. This feeling is borne out by statistics which show that the percentage of students on the Dean's List this fall is higher than at any time since the establishment of such a list; 26 percent of the upper classmen are now on the Dean's List with an average of B or better as compared with 23.2 percent on year ago, 21 percent in 1930, and 21.4 percent in 1929. Of especial interest is the fact that all classes have shown an improvement, while in the past usually one class has done much better than the others. Not only are more than one-fourth of the upper class men now on the Dean's List, but the proportion who are approved candidates for honors is greater than in any previous year--38.1 percent as compared with 34.4 percent for last year. Also the percentage of students who had their connection severed last June was lower than in any of the preceding three years. Moreover, a larger proportion of the candidates for degrees in June 1932, received their degrees with honors than in the previous year--32.6 percent as compared with 28.5 percent in June, 1931. The percentage of lost degrees was also lower than in any one of the preceding three years.

Effect of Depression

"A good many will perhaps be inclined to attribute the general improvement in scholarship chiefly to the depression, which has caused students in take their work more seriously and is strive harder to make grades which would entitle them to consideration for scholarships. This factor no doubt has played some part and may be a partial explanation for a general improvement in all of the classes. It should not be forgotten, however, that for some time there has been a gradual increase in the proportion of students who are candidates for honors and in those who graduate with honors.

Benefits of Mouse Plan

Dean Hanford's report also discusses the working of the "House Plan," which was placed in full operation in 1931-32.

"The experience of the seven Houses during the first year of operation under the plan as a whole has been such as to give us a clearer idea of the effects of the now arrangement upon undergraduate life from both the educational land social points of view. The living and eating conditions of about 1700 upper classmen have been improved as compared with the situation existing prior to 1930. The libraries have been used to the fullest extent. A more suitable environment has been provided for the carrying on of tutorial work, since the majority of students are assigned to tutors attached to their respective Houses.

"The House have been provided a much more popular and natural basis for intramural sports than was available under the old plan of inter-class competition. The report of the first inter House Athletic committee for the year 1931-32 shows that in almost every sport there were from twice to three times as many men playing under the House Plan as under the former class system.

"While the House have not been in existence long enough to warrant final conclusions as to their results, the fact cannot be disputed that they have already done more than a little toward providing improved social and physical conditions as well as a more suitable environment in which the upper classmen may carry on their intellectual life. Although not the only cause, there is little doubt that the Houses did much to contribute toward the marked improvement in scholarship throughout the three upper classes which has already been commented on."

Scholarship and Aids

Discussing the scholarship resources of the college, Dean Hanford says:

"During the year 1931-32 the assistance to undergraduates amounted to $260,254, classified as follows: scholarships, $184,490; beneficiary aid, $11,551; loans, $64,213 (including $14,530 from the fund which is under the control of a board of trustees in Boston.) The amount awarded in the form of scholarships was approximately $5,700 greater than in 1930-31 and was the largest amount of scholarship aid that has been distributed in the history of the College.