Bender Asks More Scholarship Help; Dean's List for '50-'51 Sets Record

Two hundred thousand dollars are needed to maintain the present scholarship program, Dean Bender says in his report on the year 1949-50. He noted also that a higher percentage of students than ever made Dean's List and that the University is dispensing more financial aid than ever before.

Meanwhile, the percentage with unsatisfactory records in the spring term was the lowest on record and the number having connections severed equalled the lowest previous year.

The percentage on Dean's List for 1949-50 was 37.4, with juniors leading the individual classes with a percentage of 43.1. From 1920 to 1930 the average percentage of students on Dean's List was 19.6.

Dean Bender attributes this continued rise in academic performance to better selection of students and the "generally high quality of instruction in General Education courses."

At the same time, the Dean notes that the trend is pretty much nation-wide, despite expectations that the graduation of veterans in college on the G.I. Bill would be marked by an accompanying drop in academic standards.

$491,531 in Scholarships

On the subject of financial aid the report points out that the amount of scholarships from College funds and from Harvard Club grants--$491,531--was the largest for any year in Harvard history.

At the same time, Dean Bender expresses "profound concern for the future" in the matter of financial aid and doubles his previous estimate that$100,000 additional annual income is needed for scholarships "merely to maintain our present position. He urges that this need receive "highest priority" in University fund-raising.

Including for the first time in the Dean's report are figures on student withdrawal during the year and on the number entering who complete degree requirements. Reasons for withdrawal are broken down into ten broad categories, with financial, medical, and personal reasons leading the list.