City College of New York - Microcosm Yearbook (New York, NY)

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History SE 1 Umbrella» ami riots have faded into the past since the (.lass of 1939 entered City College. Christmas trees and Frosh-Soph rallies have taken their place. Many factors have contributed to make this change. I he limiting of President Frederick 11. Robinson s power ami his replacement by Professor Nelson P. Mead; the passing of the depression’s lowest point; a desire hv the students to wipe out the Red” stigma of City College; ami a shift in student political opinion were all instrumental in a rise in the College's social activities. Hut '39 claims that the increase of school spirit and the consciousness on the part of the members of our class that college is more than lectures, laboratories, and livres, was equally responsible. In its first semester, with only the small upper half regis- tered at the College, the class of '39 gave no indication of changing the downward trend in extra-curricular life. A poorly attended smoker and a Frosh-Soph Cane Spree (won by the Sophs) were all that the Council, half of whose mem- bers left school the following term, attempted. The “era of ill feeling still dominated. Headed by Rob Brown, the Independent Students Rights Party won control of the Student Council in the elections at the end of the semes- ter. “Vigilantes' attacked Communists on the campus. Despite student sentiment, the Faculty deleted a plank in the I.S.R. platform calling for the ousting of President Robinson. Charter Day proceedings were boycotted by the Student Council when the Faculty rejected a suggestion that Lock and Key members substitute for the R.O.T.C. as color guard. The ranks of the suspended students were increased by two as the result of a demonstration against Jingo Day. Kncmics of the College took advantage of the turbulent conditions to strike at academic freedom through the State Leg- islature. State Senators Nunan ami Dcvaney sponsored a bill which would require all stud- ents in institutions of higher learning, supported in whole or in part by public funds, to take an oath of allegiance to the state and federal constitu- tions. Red baiters led by the College's most popular unpop- ular figure. William Randolph Hears!, took up cudgels for the bill. Rut demonstrations and delegations to Albany from the colleges in New York killed it. One organization's activities, however, were a preview of a new college spirit. Nursed by Mortimer Karpp, who was also faculty advisor to '39 during this first term, the House Plan's growth was phenomenal. A precedent was started when the House put over” the first low priced gym dance. Near the end of the term an historic event, the leasing of 292 Convent Avenue, occurred. II The second half of the class entered the College very auspiciously. A 20 ton salute (dynamite) by the W.P.A. greeted the newcomers. This class, the largest in the history of the College, was welcomed by another “freshman” at City. Dean John R. Turner. Dean Turner had been appointed to reduce the friction between the students and the admin- istration. Immediately thereafter, one of the chief causes of student- faculty ill feeling was removed. Hygiene 5 and 6, which bad been compulsory for all but R.O.T.C. members, were made elective. R.O.T.C., consequently, was made purely voluntary, thus bringing victory to a 25 year struggle to end compulsory military training. A month later, the trend toward harmony was strengthened when the Board of Higher Education rein- stated the students who had been expelled at the anti-Fascist riots. Students and faculty teamed up futilcly on two issues of world-wide importance. The usual run of meetings and petitions supported Jeremiah P. Mahoney’s Boycott the Olympics campaign. The brave struggle of Ethiopia against