Oregon State University - Beaver Yearbook (Corvallis, OR)

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EDITORIAL Small and big talk in the year following the close of the Great War was made of the great expansion that would be its aftermath. Speculation knew no bounds to the layman who was only too willing to draw pictures of tremendous building programs for colleges and universities and an era of rosy prosperity for all. But it was soon apparent that the “growing pains” predicted for that year were only twinges when measured against the vast building program now deemed essential to the lifeblood of the colleges of this country if they arc to fulfill their purpose of higher education. In the three years since the beginning of the “cxpansionistic” era for United States colleges, the peak of veteran enrollment has come and gone, but institutions of higher learning continue to grow. Administrative officials despair over sources of sufficient funds to provide adequate—much less superior—classrooms, equipment, and personnel. Oregon State is a college caught in this web of increased enrollment and non-incrcascd funds. Veterans arc no longer swarming to the campus, yet officials of the college predict that by 1960 Oregon State will see an enrollment of 10,000. On the credit side of the ledger is one of the finest student unions in the country. On the other side dip the quonset huts and crowded and antiquated classrooms. The situation at present seems to hinge upon legislative action in regard to certain tax measures and the basic school support measure. Although these proposals arc worthy and necessary, they will nevertheless have a deleterious effect on the immediate future expansion of the college. Quirks in the state financial situation, however, arc expected to be worked out in the not-too-dim future, and the question of the proportion of support to be delegated to elementary, secondary, and higher education will undoubtedly be a conspicuous issue. Things did not stand still this year, however. The basketball pavilion to seat 10,000 is planned for completion by next fall; fabulous Sackctt Hall, residence dormitory for women, lacks only land- scaping; the electrical engineering building (Dearborn Hall), although not completely equipped, is being used. Small expenditures, as compared with the million dollars being spent on the pavilion, went into very necessary improvements in the music department in Benton Hall, and into the building of a small stage in the Museum Building. Quonsets arc a familiar sight; parking on lower campus in a special section by Education Hall was a necessary departure from tradition and helps to facilitate the constant turn over of students and faculty who must drive to classes. Seniors will not only receive degrees when they graduate, but they will also graduate in degrees this year—as happened last June—because the set-up is so inadequate. This is one problem, however, that has an immediate solution in the form of the completion of the pavilion before the class of '50 joins the alumni ranks. Wherever one turns this year, there arc signs of the “growing pains” at Oregon State. President A. L. Strand in a press conference during the year stated that many teachers were hired immediately after the war to make it possible to even open school for the fall term. The record thus far has been relatively satisfactory, but he pointed out that whenever such a mass hiring takes place it is only too easy to gather in a few culls. However, since they are hired only on a year-to-year basis the problem is not too hard to solve. A college, to keep its head above water, has to move with the students crowding into it. And although progress seems slow, expansion must come. Immediate obstacles must melt or be melted; for unless they are, the system of higher education will become an outmoded institution. To paraphrase Old Will “patience is the better part of intelligence.” The workmen who have been busy as bees on campus this past year constructing new buildings, repairing and remodeling others, arc a direct result of action and support from the State Board of Higher Education, the Alumni Association, the Dads and Mothers Club, the OSC Foundation, and many OSC booster organizations, all with the common interest—to build a bigger and better Oregon State! 6

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CONTENTS Chronology...................... Athletics....................... Faculty Administration . Student Administration . . Living Groups................... Honor Societies................. Clubs, Councils................. 9 87 147 187 257 351 379 8 Index 411