University of Texas Austin - Cactus Yearbook (Austin, TX)

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University readies for World War II 1942 UT GOES TO WAR Students on the Forty Acres, for a dozen years the stronghold of almost militant pacifism and anti- ROTC campus movements, awoke slowly Monday to the sobering realization that there was more at stake in life than a bid to the Rose Bowl. It was a slow awakening for most of them a group long peppered with wild propaganda but so tempered and used to reading of startling world developments that the impact of the news that the United States had actually been attacked seemed fan- tastic and unreal. Dec. 9, 1941 The Daily Texan ' The Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor ushered in a new look on campus during the 40s. A number of naval groups were set up at The University to prepare cadets for the military. The University ' s First Century 55

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1941 University officials abolish summer vacation period Ill The Campus League of Women Voters, through the assistance of the Austin League of Women Voters, is founded. March 7, 1941 Al T. U. Taylor, first dean of the College of Engineering, dies at age 83. May 28, 1941 Indiana University joins the University and the University of Chicago in operation of the McDonald Observatory. July 13, 1941 ||l Gamma Omicron Omega Nu, a service organization, is founded. Oct. 31, 1941 Spooks, a women ' s spirit and service organization, is founded. November, 1941 III The Japanese attack Pearl Harbor. Dec. 7, 1941 ff The University is on full wartime operational basis. The summer vacation period is abolished and plans are made for a year-round curriculum. January, 1942 g 1 Wartime induces particular emphasis on preferred fields physics, chemistry, engineering and medicine. February, 1942 Because of the war, The University ' s first class of speed-up graduates (medical) receive their diplomas. March, 1942 Lord Halifax, British ambassador to the United States, and Lady Halifax visit the campus and Austin. April 75, 1942 tt| The Board of Regents authorizes the comptroller to secure war damage insurance on University buildings and equipment. Sept. 25, 1942 ;. At their September meeting, the Board of Regents adopts the following resolution which continues to effect the academic careers of all University students: Beginning with the Long Ses- sion of 1943-44, there will be prescribed as a condition precedent to the securing of a degree from The University of Texas six semester hours of American History. Sept. 26, 1942 From 1942 until 1957, the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps headquartered in the Littlefield House. Anti-aircraft guns were on the front lawn and a firing range was in the attic. | 54 The University ' s First Century

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1942 Women join ranks ofLonghorn Band A V. I. Moore, the Dean of Student Life, dies. 1943 The Mirabeau B. Lamar Library staff announces that the library has a total of 729,332 volumes of books, pamphlets and newspapers. Aug. 31, 1943 111 The Tower lights are turned on again after having been off since the beginning of World War II. Nov. 2, 1943 Women begin playing in the Longhorn Band. Jan. 31, 1944 jftjThe University ' s M. D. Anderson Hospital is dedicated in Houston. Feb. 17, 1944 The Regents create The University of Texas Press and an ad- visory board of faculty members. April 28, 1944 111 The Regents adopt a resolution segregating black and white au- diences in all University buildings. Sept. 29, 1944 56 The University ' s First Century Meeting three times per week, University women enrolled in war-conditioning courses. While there was some question in the 30s as to the need of establishing a Reserve Officer Training Corps at The University, World War II insured a place for the khaki-clad cadets. I (If Roberts Hall and Sections C and D of Brackenridge Hall are vacated to make room for the 600 aviation cadets who start train- ing in the new Naval Flight Preparatory School to be established at The University. Dec. 21, 1942 111 The University pays tribute to the 150 University war dead and to the 10,000 ex-students in the armed forces. The day is declared Texas Fight Day or V-Day. 1943