Evening star., 1946-05-26
Staggering Problem Seen
In College Course for GIs
New Buildings, Instruction and Text Books Needed
for Enrolment Likely to Exceed Pre-.
Peak by 100000
By Gould Lincoln

armed services during the Second World
War the Federal Government has prom
ised assistance in obtaining a college
education-if he or she wants it. 1t is
backing that promise with liberal out
lay of money-a billion dollars to be
expended during the next college year,
if about 100000 veterans are enrolled.
1t is expected, moreover, that the
Federal Government will spend about
$4,000, 900 900 for the college education
of war veterans over the years imme-
diately ahead, which is almost half of
the total expenditures for benefits of
all kinds to the veterans of World War /
The Government, however, faces a
real problem in finding the necessary
facilities for these veteran students,
problem in which it will need the aid of
the States and of the educational in
stitutions themselves if it is to be
solved. Just how the Government in
tends to set about this business of
higher education for the war veterans
is set forth in detail in comprehensive
report to President Truman by John
w. Snyder, director of war mobiliza-
ton and reconversion.
100000 Over Peak.
To put it simply, there must be enough
places in colleges and other schools be-
yond high school-enough living facil-
tiles, enough teachers and enough text
books. Mr. Snyder points out in his
report that more than 100000 young
Americans will apply for enrolment in
the Nations colleges and universities
in the coming fall. OF these it is esti-
mated 10000 will be veterans. This is
the greatest number of students ever to
seek higher education in this or any
other country, and it is about 100000
more than the peak preWar enrolment
in institutions of higher education,
Like the rest of the country, institu-
tions of higher education have been un-
able to build and expand because of
the construction shortages due to war.
where, the problem is still acute. Some
way must be found, therefore, to bridge
the gap between the maximum existing
facilities and the prospective number
of students.
On the basis of programs for expan-
sion in effect prior to the submission OF
Mr. Snyder's report, the higher educa-
ton institutions estimate they can care
for not more than 100000 students this
fall. Unless far reaching action is taken
quickly, between 100000 and 500, 900
young men and women will have to be
turned away from the college careers
they seek. Among them will be 270 900
veterans. Which means that the pledge
given them In the GI Bill of Rights
will be unfulhlled.
improvements Must Be Permanent.
There is long range problem as we'll
as an immediate problem to meet the
requirements for higher education in
this country. From the beginning of
the goth century to the time OF the
entry of this country into the last
war, the college age population of the
United States increased SIS per cent. In
that same period, however, the number
of students attending college increased
600 per cent-rising from 250,000 in
1900 to over 100000 in 194l. 1t is now
expected that by 1855 the college en-
rollment in this country will reach g.
100000. What is done, therefore, to
increase the accommodations must
eventually be done on a permanent
basis. To deal with this long range
problem, Mr. Snyder has proposed to
the President the appointment of
National Commission of Higher Edu-
cation, to work during the summer
months and to make recommendations
in time to be considered by the Presi-
dent and the next Congress, which
meets in January.
Returning to the immediate problem
of caring for the students, including
the veterans, who wish to enroll in COL
leges and universities next September,
Interagency Committee on Veterans At
fairs, has nine-point program. First,
all currently unused Army and Navy
facilities are being made available to
colleges and universities. These IA
cilities, including buildings, camps and
equipment will be used as temporary
school buildings and housing centers.
But the colleges must supplement this
action by the Federal Government by
providing the necessary administration,
faculty and supplementary equipment.
Second, the temporary housing pro-
xry1oin y,}l -
sist educational institutions has been
expanded to provide living quarters for
100000 student veterans Of these 1OO,-
600 will be quartered on or near college
grounds. The other 100000 will be
quartered in existing war housing
some of which will be moved to ground
near the colleges Where the housing
facilities are a considerable distance
away, transportation by bus will be
provided.
Will Seek Out Vacancies.
A third point in the program is the
authorization by the Civilian Produc-
ton Administration, for educational in
stltutions to build nonhousing college
facilities. Action on applications for
such construction is promised within
48 hours. Distribution of surplus equip
ment and supplies to educational in
stitutions has been speeded up. Two
million surplus text books are being
distributed at nominal prices and pro-
duction of additional new text books
is being fastened. The United States
Off1ce of Education is assisting State
agencies to establish clearing systems
to supply current information on the
existence of vacancies in schools and
particular courses. The plan is to as
sist school officials in guiding veterans