Univ. Officials Disagree On Expansion Problem

Four University officers differed sharply on the issue of increased enrollment last night, with the main conflict coming over the question of expansion in graduate or undergraduate areas.

Opening discussion in the Lamont Forum Room, J. Petterson Elder, Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, cited figures which indicated that by 1970 the number of college students would increase from 2.7 million to 6.4 million. Although he felt the University should take steps to meet this educational problem, he proposed that Harvard turn out more Ph.D.'s rather than expand the undergraduate college.

Whereas it would be relatively simple, he maintained, to turn out 50 more PhD's a year, who could in turn educate 750 more AB's, it would be much more difficult to expand the college. He pointed out the physical difficulties, such as overcrowding in the Houses and libraries; the educational difficulties, such as unwieldy class and tutorials; and the social difficulties, such as the loss of a feeling of student cohesiveness.

Harris Agrees

Seymour E. Harris '20, professor of Economics, agreed with Elder on graduate expansion, but questioned the validity of his statistics. Harris estimated that only 4 to 5 million would be enrolled by 1970, and that Harvard would not be as hard-pressed as other colleges since it draws most of its students from the relatively static East.

Since there would be some increase in students, however, Harris agreed with Elder in proposing an expanded graduate program to ultimately supply more teachers for them.

This position was vigorously attacked by John U. Monro '34, Director of the Financial Aid Office, as representing a "dead on the feet" attitude in the Harvard community. He claimed that such an attitude merely seeks the easiest way out, and that the University's prestige made it "incredible to let someone else look after the undergraduate problem." He also pointed out that Harvard has expanded in the past without noticeably diminishing the quality of its education.

George B. Kistiakowsky, Abbott and James Lawrence Professor of Chemistry, urged expansion of both graduate and undergraduate science to meet the needs of modern society.

In closing, President Pusey said that despite Harris' figures, pressure for admission has been increasing even though the college-age group has declined in recent years.