Evening star., 1946-05-26

dents were enrolled. Projected plans
for expansion of the physical plants
OF the institutions of higher education
had to be abandoned-and these plans
now call for the expenditure of more
than sl,500, 100000 in construction.
The colleges and institutions suffered
during the war heavy losses in teachers
and instructors. The instructional
staff of colleges and universities de-
clined by 8,000-from 114,000 in 1941 to
100000 in 1945. War agencies and war
industry called many of them
The impact upon colleges and univer-
sites during the war would have been
even greater had not the Federal Gov
ernment made use of their facilities for
military training programs. In 1943, for
example, when the civilian enrolment
was at its lowest ebb 100000 military
students were taking special courses in
these institutions.
Need 1000 New Teachers.
The colleges and universities estimate
that they must have an additional 1000
to 10000 properly qualified teachers to
instruct the enlarged student body next
fall. They must have as many expert
enced teachers as possible. The release
from the armed services, in advance OF
their regular dates of discharge under
the point system, is being arranged. A
recruitment drive for other teachers
is underway.
Original estimates of the number OF
veterans who would seek college educa-
ton, under the CT Bill of Rights, have
had to be revised upward drastically.
Before VI day. 2,700o0O veterans were
released from the armed services. BY
September, 1945, only $4,000 of these
veterans had enrolled in colleges and
universities. Most of them have re-
turned to the labor forces of the coun-
try, and many of them were older men
with dependents.
BY September, 1916, an additional
100000 veterans will have returned
to civilian status. This is the group
which impose the heaviest burden on
the colleges. Soon after the enactment
of the GI Bill of Rights in 1914
survey indicated that per cent of the
Army personnel had definite plans for
full-time college education A second
survey in l945 showed that about 8 per
cent of the veterans planned to attend
college. And now Mr.. Snyder estimates
that probably II per cent of the vet
Grams OF World War II, including all
services, intend to take advantage of
the educational opportunities offered by
the Government.
Veterans in a Hurry.
Two reasons are given for this in
crease in the number of those seeking
college instruction. The first arises out
OF the increase in subsistence allow
ances-from $50 to SOS month for
single men and from SIS to $50 for men
with dependents. The second reason is
that large number of veterans are
finding difficulty in obtaining the kind
of jobs they would like.
The veterans are in a hurry to avail
themselves of the Governments aid for
college education. About three-fourths
OF them had already started their COL
lege courses when they entered the
armed services. They are anxious to
get on with their schooling.
1t is necessary to consider the needs
OF nonveterans who either are already
attending college or will seek to enroll
next September in the overall picture.
If the Selective Service Act continues
unchanged-which is still a matter of
doubt-it is believed that las 900 high
school youths-25000 more than last
year-will apply for entrance to colleges.
II, however, the Selective Service Act
is killed or amended so as not to take
the lS and 10 year-old boys, it is esti-
mated that 275,OoO will wish to enter
college this year.
During each of the war years about
10000 woman students entered college.
This year the colleges and universities
report that applications by women are
at the highest level ever recorded, and
that between 100000 and 100000 will
make application for college
Housing Problem Worst.
The housing problem for the college
students, including the veterans, is the
most serious of all. The Federal Gov.
ernment plans to turn over Govern
ment-oWned buildings and move them
at Government expense War housing
units will be rented to students on vet
Grams prlorities. Other buildings will
be converted at college expense, with
beds, bedding and furnishings supplied
by the Government. Also some of the
armed forces camps and other estab-
llshment will be used on their present
sites.
The FPHA has obtained surplus buses
and is making them available for trans
porting student veterans to and from
schools. The University of Michigan,
Tor example, is taking advantage of
such an arrangement and is housing
1000 students at Willow Run, and the
University of Wisconsin has taken over
housing at the Badger Ordnance Plant,
The University of Washington has 300
students in dormitories originally pro-
vided for industrial workers. Camp
Shanks, N Y, is being converted to &C.
commodate 2,40O families of veterans
total of about 10000 persons, who viii
attend several colleges in New YORK
City.
OF the 81 ,O00, 900 900 which the Federal
Government will spend during the next
college year for the veterans, tuition
and fees will take s2Oo,00O,OOO Housing
expenditures will account for another
$500, 100000 and payments for subsist-
ence to 100000 veterans will amount to