International: No More Divvers

As irksome to Oxford men as written surveys are to Vassar girls is ”Divvers,” an examination in Biblical history and literature which every student is expected to pass during his first year, unless he has taken a similar test in preparatory school. Most students cram for a week, hope that luck will carry them through Divvers; but many try it several times before succeeding. To consider abolishing Divvers, the Congregation (an official body) of Oxford met lately in Sheldonian Theatre, debated for go minutes. Proposing abolition, a Mr. Parker of Magdalen said that the examination should be given before, not after, matriculation. Alarmed, the practical Provost of Oriel demanded how the University, in that case, could make good the loss in examination fees. Most of the Congregation, however, agreed with Dr. Kenneth Escott Kirk that the present examination was “unworthy of the sanctity of the subject and of the University.” They voted, 140 to 99, to abolish Divvers.