The Senior Class Album, out yesterday, is distinguished by its neat makeup, its excellent photographs, and a colored frontispiece of University Hall. But chiefly it is set apart from other yearbooks because it contains a poll on the thoughts and beliefs of the Class of 1940.
Entitled "The Truth About '40," and Written by Donald M. D. Thurber '40, a lengthy article near the front of the album is based upon 852 questionnaires sent out to the present members of the Senior Class.
619 blanks were returned to Thurber and his committee, to whom the Herculean task of tabulating the ballots was assigned. Comments on the survey ranged from "On the whole a very admirable questionnaire" to "A stupid questionnaire. Typical of Harvard."
"Harvard Man" Nonexistent
Thurber's general conclusions on Harvard Seniors were founded on the general results of the poll. "Do not look for the 'typical Harvard man'," he warned. "He is not to be found in the Class of 1940, and probably not in any other class before or after our own."
Out of the seven scholastic groups at Harvard, Thurber declared, "a comparison of the standings throughout the four years reveals that the first four groups gain steadily at the expense of the other three categories." In their Freshman year many more men were on probation than on Group 1, but by their Senior year, the number was about evenly divided at 37.
Criticize College Policy
Seniors were asked to comment on the question of improving Harvard's policy toward the personal and social adjustment of the individual. Many suggestions were put forward, and they were quoted extensively. One Senior suggested, "It shouldn't fire all its good instructors and keep only the Reds and bores.: Another ventured "cocuucation," while still another declared, "Being in chemistry, I wouldn't know."
The questions on sex which were included in the questionnaire were not considered fit for publication, but Seniors may find out the results of that division of the poll by inquiring from any member of the Album Committee.
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