WAR DEFICITS

The finances of American universities are beginning to suffer from the effects of war. Princeton, Pennsylvania and Rutgers have all reported deficits due to decreased enrolments. They are not the only ones in this situation, for practically all American colleges have lost a large percentage of its students. upon whom they depend for much of their income. These three cases show the burden which is upon all colleges. So long as the war continues this tendency, accentuated by further reductions in enrolments, is due to become more widespread and disturbing.

Immediate consideration of this war problem is necessary to prevent future difficulties. Even if the draft age is not lowered, and, although preparatory school graduates are urged to obtain all the education they can, yet it is very doubtful if more students will be enrolled than at present. As a matter of fact, a continuous decrease is indicated in many ways; the likelihood of younger draftees, the increasing economy of money, and the experience of foreign universities. As war deficits exist already, and as they will surely grow no less under present conditions, every college is forced to adopt new methods of raising or keeping its funds.

What sort of measures can best be undertaken is not easily decided. Each institution, knowing its own position, must devise the emergency action best suited to that particular situation. Princeton, for instance, will pay off part of its deficit by gifts from alumni, while Pennsylvania and Rutgers are considering co-education. Whereas one university is helped by the kindness of graduates to make good the loss, the other two plan to eliminate the cause by increasing enrolments. Like all plans, this must first be tried before its success can be determined. Radical curtailment of expenses, if that is possible, may be suitable in some cases, or increased fees in others. In every instance, however, care must be taken to avoid any decision that will discourage future undergraduates. Universities are compelled to counteract in whatever way seems best the losses caused by war, but, in so doing, let them not injure their own prestige or make college education less attainable.