382 APPENDIX II 



A more technical and intensive instruction is given in the 

 "cours reserves," open only to regularly matriculated and enrolled 

 students. These courses are supplemented by discussion periods, 

 seminaries, and laboratory work. These latter are the most 

 important factors in developing the student and training him in 

 scholarly methods. 



Finally, the Universities place at the disposition of the students 

 libraries, museums, and special collections. 



Academic Year. Vacations and Holidays. The academic year 

 begins the first of November and extends to the end of July. 

 However, because of the examinations, which occupy nearly the 

 entire month of July, the courses come to an end in June. Con- 

 sequently, no instruction is offered during the months of July, 

 August, September and October, except in the special courses 

 organized in some of the Universities in French literature, philology, 

 language, etc., for the convenience of foreigners. 



Aside from the summer vacation, all courses are discontinued 

 on legal holidays, during the Christmas holidays (from December 

 24 to January 2) and during the Easter holidays (fifteen days). 



Administration. Each University is administered by a "Con- 

 seil," composed of representatives of each Faculty or School and 

 of the "Recteur de 1'Academie," who is, de jure, president of the 

 Council of the University. In the University of Paris, however, the 

 administrative head has the title of "Vice-Recteur," the Minister 

 of Public Instruction being "Recteur" ex officio. 



Each Faculty or School is administered by a Dean or by a 

 Director, elected by his colleagues, and appointed for three years 

 by the Minister of Public Instruction. 



Each Faculty or School possesses a Secretary's office, to which 

 the student should apply in fulfilling all the formalities relative to 

 admission, required courses, examinations, etc. 



II. OTHER INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION. 



The institutions of higher learning independent of the Uni- 

 versities naturally divide into two great classes: (i) Official institu- 

 tions under the direct administration of the State; (2) Independent 

 institutions due to private initiative and funds. 



Their organization is as different as their aims. Some are 

 devoted primarily to research and to the presentation of the results 



