Evening star., 1937-04-04
Colleges on the Dole?


VDCOIAoll
The Frank case spurred on the
privately colleges to increased
efforts to escape anything like Wis
consin's fate. Those efforts had begun,
however, before the Frank case broke
into the headlines. The movement OF
which they are part had its birth last
Spring In development whose signif-
icance escaped public notice. 1t was
simply this: College alumni began
really to dig down into their pockets
again for Alma Mater. Last Spring,
the country over, Al typical colleges
reported that 80 per cent more alumni
than the year previous had given an
average gift II per cent larger.
Following that miracle came a sec
ond. In the Summer and Fall it ap-
peared that not only the alumni, but
also the general public were beginning
OF every prexy's dream was making
gestures toward checkbook and foun-
tain pen. Timid gestures, yet strong
enough, perhaps, to give push to the
dribbling ball Of philanthropic giving
that may even start it rolling in the
course Of the gigantic SNOWFALL OF
the 20s.
No vain hope, either, it would seem.
More substantial gifts to higher edu-
cation have been announced in recent
months than in any like period since
the depression gripped the colleges. 1t
began at last commencement, with
Michigan's $8,32O,994 - the biggest
years total anywhere since the late
George Eastman gave $l4,000,0O0 to
the University of Rochester - and
NorthWestern's $7,00O,00O
Revival of Giving.
There is, believe it or not revival
in giving. It has not yet caught up
with the revival in national income
but give 1t time. Nor is it limited to
higher education. Recent announce
ments of Community Chest gifts the
country over show 20 per cent in
crease. The John Price Jones Corp,
leading Embarrassing consultants, in
January issued figures showing a 10
per cent increase in philanthropy for
1896 over 1895.
Already the colleges have started
Seven leading womens colleges inves-
tlgated and found that women give
to church and charity rather than to
education, and set out to change all
that. At Christmas business officers
OF Eastern colleges met in New York
and discussed financial problems In
helping solve them, the Association
OF American Colleges has taken the
lead. and last Spring held a meeting
in New York, whence officials of no
fewer than 80 institutions contemplate
ing going after money went to in
spect an exhibit by professional
money-raising organization.
For all such organizations, business
has been expanding. They report
More college inquiries than at any
time since 1929; More in six
months than in the last five years;
Over a hundred queries" They have
increased their STATS to plan cam
paigns many of which are yet un-
announced.
What will the colleges do with the
money when they get it? That ques-
ton they answer gladly. They will
rebuild the wastage Of the depression
and take on added strength for the
future. During these last few years
they have learned lessons Of care and
frugality; they have fought a good
fight, but an exhausting one. Before
they can put those lessons into effect,
they must have sustenance. II the
body educational is to support, Atlas
like, the increasing throngs Of STU
dents, it must have a TRANSMISSION Of
golden corpuscles.
These young men and women are
eager to study social problems, eco
nomics. politics; to be fitted for a
place in the world of today and to-
morrow, and in that world to pre-
serve and protect place for a vital
American democracy.
Cite Services Offered
Part of that task, which many edu-
Gators now consider the most impor-
tant task Of higher education in these
days Of stress, is to develop the serv-
ice Of the colleges to the world beyond
their campuses by such means as ex-
tension teaching, adult education, lee
lures, conferences, institutes. For
instance Prtnceton's and Harvard's
schools Of public affairs; Bucknell' s
political conferences; Hobart's citizen
ship program; Vassar's emphasis on
women's place in public life
These and other similar undertake
ings are far more typical of the Amer
ican endowed college today than the
ballyhoo of noisy Red or Fascist mi
norities. The endowed colleges have
emerged from their cloisters, eager for
fuller service to young Americans and
free America-which, today, needs
their service more than ever.
A campaign slogan? No, say the
colleges plan fact! As they can
prove to the country's satisfaction
That is why they have asked the
country to come to their aid. Breath
less, they wait the response-and their
fate.