Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. IV.djvu/246

206 LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS demanding genuine work to win a diploma and banishing the social pull that had theretofore ex isted, Doctor Wilson laid his hand to the revision of the course of study. Princeton must not only be a place of work, but of work which should be intelligent and calculated to put the worker in a position best to serve society in the twentieth century. The new president next secured the preceptorial system. Out of one hundred and sixty-eight hours a week, fifteen hours a week in the classroom were not considered sufficient by President Wilson for the proper education of the students entrusted to Princeton s care. They were no longer to be al lowed to drift aimlessly through the weeks and the years. The institution was to give better attention toward direction of their spare time. To this end preceptors were employed at a great expense for the new system involved an annual cost of about one hundred thousand dollars and they were to supply friendly companionship and have oversight of studies. The informal, personal contact of the students with these preceptors has been of infinite value. The new system proved its worth from the outset, and the eyes of the educational world were turned upon Princeton which was thus forging to the front with a forcefully constructive pro gramme. President Wilson next attempted a reorganiza-