Financed by the G.I. Bill of Rights and admitted through special College entrance exams for veterans, ex-servicemen swelled the Class of 1950 to 1,645 members, more than double the past year's size.
President James B. Conant '14 explained the University's relaxed requirements for veteran admissions.
"We must make up the devastating shortage of trained men for civilian occupations resulting from many years of war."
And in its zeal to catch up, Harvard discovered its own devastating shortages.
It was the largest class in Harvard's history and more than half were veterans. The College had dwindled during the war years, and simply could not handle the influx.
In preparations over the summer for the many married veterans who would attend in fall of 1946, Harvard bought and renovated the Hotel Brunswick in Copley Square and a hospital complex in Ayer.
With only weeks left before registration, the University began to receive applications for housing and discovered they there were almost 900 spaces short.
All students within 45 minute traveling time were immediately forced to commute and denied housing.
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