# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S913
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

SEMINARIES AND COLLEGES 215

however, that all funds for this purpose be subject to the prescribed
budgetary procedures of Synod;

a 2. That since this program will require additional teacher
E personnel, Synod authorize the creation of a maximum of four
~ additional professorships;

3. That the Board of Directors and the Fiscal Conference be
instructed to recognize the costs of administration, staff, operation,
and miscellaneous requirements involved in the plan as legitimate
items in Synod’s budget for higher education;

4. That matters involving equipment, major construction of
buildings, or the purchase or lease of land be. undertaken only
with the consent of the Board of Directors;

5. That a sum up to $270,000 be made available for immediate
allocation for these purposes;

6. That the Board of Directors be instructed to advance this
sum from the Postwar Reserve Fund of Synod;

7. That the first receipts of any special educational collection
during the next triennium be assigned for repayment of any sums
advanced.

Section B. The Senior College

Much consideration has been given to the question of whether
there is an absolute need for a senior college program in the proc-
ess of training Lutheran ministers. After studying many factors
over a period of the past five years the Board is still convinced
that Synod was entirely correct when the Centennial Convention
resolved to progress toward giving its ministers full college training.

During the past 50 years there has been a decided change in
the educational climate of our Church. This must be assumed on
the basis of the fact that a change of tremendous importance has
occurred in the environment in which our Church is located and
performs its main work: the U.S.A. In our country the increase
in the number of men and women attending colleges and uni-
versities has been so rapid that those who have lived through the
period have scarcely understood its meaning. A mere recital of
the figures is impressive enough, but that does not really indicate
the significance of the revolutionary change which is involved or
the tremendous effect which widespread higher education will

EF. have on our Synod.

A quick look at the figures indicates that in 1900 the total
college population of the nation was 238,000. Already, however,
it had begun to grow more rapidly than the census. By 1920 more
than twice as many youth were seeking higher education,.a total
of 598,000. In 1930 this number had grown to 1,100,000, an almost