Evening star., 1945-02-18


And, according to statements made by
the War and Navy Departments, it is
unlikely that any considerable number
of these students will be released to re-
turn until six months after the end of
the war-the war with Japan as well
as Germany. So, the report concludes,
the schools cannot look to increased
male enrolment this year.
What is the colleges financial dilem-
ma in detail? Taking 1939-40 as base
year" the committee found that of 702
institutions reporting tuition fees as a
basis of income, their revenues in 1884
were 81 per cent and in 1944-5 (esti-
mated would be 64 per cent of normal
Women's Colleges Boom.
Analyzing the reports by types Of
schools, the committee found that tut
ton fees as source of income for
mems colleges had fallen in 1894 to
Is per cent of that of the base year
l939-40 and in 1944-5 were expected to be
cut to SO per cent. Co-eduCational insti-
tutions reported a decrease to 81 and
64 per cent, respectively for the two
years. But women's colleges reported an
increase for the two years, respectively,
of 109 and 112 per cent.
AS pointed out earlier, publicly admin
istered schools have not suffered as
much as privately administered ones.
The committee found that public funds
Federal, State and local-allocated to
them totaled $145,OOo,000 in 1939-4o,
s1700O0,0O0 in 1884 and s16S, 1000, 900
(estimated) in 1944-5.
However the committee pointed out,
another factor aside from income enters
into the financial condition of the
schools. That is rising costs.
Since the base year, 193s-4O," the
committee report points out, costs of
operation, such as wages, salaries and
prices of materials and equipment, have
risen in line with the general rise of
costs of living and commodity prices.
estimated at from 25 to 40 per cent
depending on the index used.
Dip Into Endowments.
impossible for institutions of higher
education to decrease operating ex-
penditures for education and general
purposes in proportion to the decrease
in enrolment, but in most institutions
the absolute cost mas increased
Private schools, the committee found,
have been conducting drives for funds
among their alumni and friends, dig
ging into the principal of endowment
funds and borrowing from banks in
order to meet current expenses. Also
many of them have been forced to
allow their equipment to depreciate be-
cause they lacked money for needed
repairs and replacements.
Through last year, the committee
pointed out, many schools, particularly
the exclusively male colleges, were able
to keep their heads above the financial
flood because of income received from
special Army and Navy training courses
1t is the gradual abolition of these that
threatens many colleges with real
dilemma which may close their doors
lem is found.
Training Programs Aided.
These training programs, which
reached their peak in December, l943,
and have been declining since, ac-
counted for as much as SO per cent of
the income of some of the mems COL
leges, it was found
The financial effect of the reduction
of the military programs that have been
displaced since December, 1943, is force
fully evident IN the large decline in
income estimated to be received by the
colleges from this source in l944-5,
the commibtee report said.
For 1944-5 this income was esti-
mated to be only 81 per cent of the
amount received in 1884 by the 2s4
institutions reporting Army and Navy
aid.
I'm view of the fact that these pro-
grams doubtless will continue to decline
throughout 1856, this source of in
come soon will be totally withdrawn
except in those few institutions that
will be fortunate enough to participate
in plans that the Army or Navy has for
the Reserve Officers Training Corps
and a limited number of (other) pro-
grams"
Even in the palmy days of Army Navy
aid, the report points out, it was very
unevenly distributed among the Ma
tons colleges, and some did not benefit
at all. Only 489 of the 1,702 institu-
tions of higher education participated
in the Government contracts in the
peak month of December, 1943, when
$4,000 students were enrolled in the
Army-Navy training courses. Ninety
five institutions, the report said, were
used for research work by the Govern
ment, but eight universities absorbed so
per cent of the contracts. Many insti-
tutions lacked the technical laboratory
equipment housing facilities and other
requirements for such contracts.
Future Appears Black.
In summary, the committee found that
the sharp diminution of Government
contracts combined with the increasing
draining of of students into the armed
forces and war plants presents to the
Nations colleges future much blacker
than their present.
Combined with the loss of income and
the depletion of physical equipment, the
committee found, the colleges are being
weakened in their most vital spot
their teaching personnel.
The committee found that. as a ma
tional average, faculties had decreased
in 1884 to 81 per cent of their 1939-40
total and in 1944-5 to 80 per cent of the