University of Chicago - Cap and Gown Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

Page 9 text:

Page 8 text:

Frequently students and faculty at the Univer- sity of Chicago are asked and ask themselves: what is it that makes our University different from all others? This question may be answered in a number of ways. One answer might contain such general descriptive phrases as: mthe west- ernmost outpost of European culturell, 0r tithe great mid-western Universityll. Or one answer might be more specific, pointing out Our par- ticular programs of study. But every answer would have one thing in common e a basic permeating current of pride in the intellectual life and progress of the University. The University is; alive and ever-changing. We repeatedly see examples of its greatness mani- fested in the progress it is making, affecting every student and faculty member individually, and the community as a whole. Great events occur and have occurred from clay to day on our campus, and even greater ones will follow. Many of these events will become landmarks in the history of the University. This yearbook attempts to highlight those events which set apart this year from all others. The neighborhood re-developmcnt program, the 332,000,000 campaign, the changes in the cur- riculum and extracurriculum, are all included in the succeeding pages. These developments are scrutinized and evaluated. The events included in this volume portray University life as it is today, and what may be expected to follow from them in future years. The University has accomplished things of world- wide importance in the past. In its present posi- tion it is striving to tlmakc the future as great?5 as that past. It is our Firm opinion that it will do so. Mary Joan Spicgcl MARY JOAN SPIEGEL, Editor-in-Chief. Edzkorir Preface Elm makr 1hr future

Page 10 text:

1955ethe Administration fondly points outi was the year of stabilization. The University faced three major problems which were a legacy of the Hutchins administration, and overcame them: Q falling enrollment- - W . . changes in the College Curriculum, only a year before, met with so much opposition, were established: rou- tinized. Enrollment rose for the hrst time since the post-war veterans: inHux. 2t un-balanced budget - tt. . . through able administration, the University is operating in the black for the hrst peacetime year since 1938? St neighborhood eieteric'grationen . . . lobbying before President Eisenhower, and the Chicago City Council, Kimpton won approval of $6,000,000 for the S.E.C.C.,S Projecteto raise, rebuild a vast sec- tion of Hyde Park, Kenwoodh. The University was, indeed, back on its finan- cial feet. But it was in no position to move for- ward. Other institutions were expanding their Chancellor Kimpton reporting to the Faculty Senate. horizons and venturing into new greatness, but money --much of it---was required were the Uni- versity of Chicago to maintain pace and not live on its past history and reputation: in fact Of not in namd a second rate University. It was decided to campaign for 332,779,000 wthe largest sum ever attempted by a University, a sum, to be raised in three years, almost equal to the total Rockefeller gifts over a period of 20 years. 1956 became the year of the big gamblee the year of decision. The University gambled and won. It was a capital funds drive, and the response was more than generous. By March over half the three- year quota was met, and more than that amount was raised for purposes outside the campaign. There was even talk around campus that in three years the campaign could underwrite the costs of the University of Chicago for a generation, if not the rest of the century. .7776 Year of Deczkzbn