Without taking over administration of the colleges or requisitioning the use of the educational facilities, the armed forces will definitely use the nation's universities as training centers for soldiers, spokesmen of the Army and Navy announced at a meeting of Atlantic coast educators in New York on Friday. Simultaneously the ERC announced that opportunities for enlistment would be extended to December 31, instead of closing tomorrow.
"There is no desire on the part of the Army or Navy to dictate what you must do," Joseph W. Barker, assistant to the Secretary of the Navy, told the educators, "We are hoping to give you maximum leeway in the presentation of material and as much academic freedom as possible.
Officials Vague
Although vague as to the actual details of the plan, the officials were careful to deny any move for actual conscription of the colleges. The courses will last anywhere from nine months to more than two years, depending on the work involved.
According to present plans as many as 250,000 men will go back to college, Edmund E. Day, president of Cornell announced at the meeting. But no statement as to the number of institutions or the requirements to be used was made.
Small Colleges in Danger
By the general tone of the official statements, however, smaller colleges are in danger of complete extinction, and many of the presidents of these schools are protesting over the wording of the plan.
In three other weekend meetings of educators, the role of wartime education was discussed in all its aspects, and several new plans were suggested.
In another meeting, held for the National Council of Social Studies, James Marshall, president of the New York Board of Education said that a group of educators should be formed to study the problems of the Post-War period, and at the same time the problems of the young soldier during the war. One of the immediate questions which he thought should be discussed was the uncertainty which faced 18 year old high school students who did not know whether or not to enlist.
Read more in News
MOVIEGOER