A Study On Yale Reform In Modern University Transformation

From the American Civil War to the early 20th century is the key stage to the development of American higher education during which the American modern universities formed. As an old Church College, with a traditional philosophy of education, Yale sticked to the classical disciplines to resist elective system, ignored the development of graduate students which led to the reduction in the level of academic, social reputation. However, during the trend of the times, Yale did not remain in the doldrums. Led by the 12th President Timothy Dwight, Yale began to move toward the road of reform and rejuvenation. After President Arthur Angell and James Hadley's radical reforms, Yale succeeded in transition to a modern university which obtained great development and won a good reputation from an old classical college.This paper is mainly divided into five chapters. The first part sorts out the major historical background and motivation of the reform at Yale. The establishment of the modern universities became a historical necessity due to the economic, political, cultural changes after the Civil War. To face the development and reform of Harvard, Johns Hopkins University, the land-grand colleges outside and the problems of itself inside, it's an inevitable necessity for Yale to reform. The second part focuses on the curriculum reform, especilly the establishment of the system of elective courses at Yale——an important symbol for a modern university. Yale College had continued to implement a required course by 1875. Under the leadership of President Dwight Hadley and James Hadley, elective system was almost established at Yale after 30-year reform. The third chapter discusses changes of the management system. From the university restructure in 1919, the authority of management began to focus to the university from schools. Under the leadship of President Hadley, the system of the board of directors, the personnel system, faculty governance have done a great reform, which increased democracy and the enthusiasm of teachers, the level of the university research. Yale became a modern university not only in the the internal management but also in external form. The fourth chapter mainly deals with the establishment and development of the graduate and professional schools. Reformed by the three presidents, the graduate school and other colleges have been improved rapidly, which have almost been the first class in the USA.The last part attempts to draw some thoughts and inspiration, mainly relates to the relations between the university and the society, the interconnectivity and preferred orientation, conservation and innovation of the university which are problems not only of Yale but also of all universities.