An acute secretary shortage has forced the University personnel office to triple its advertising expenditures and expand its recruiting activities during the past year, Nicholai F. Wessell, associate director of personnel, reported yesterday.

Although 20 or 30 secretaries are hired each month, the personnel office has been unable to keep up with the demand, Wessell said. Typists and dictaphones have replaced stenographers, he said, but have not significantly reduced the total number of office workers needed.

Wessell said that wages, hours, and working conditions at the University compare favorably with any offered in the Boston area, but noted that "there just aren't enough competent girls to go around."

During the past year the office has increased its advertising budget to $5000 in an effort to attract more secretaries.