# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S999
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

SEMINARIES AND COLLEGES 301

that in answer to the question “What does it cost you to spend one
_ year at Concordia Teachers College, including, board, books, fees,
clothing, laundry, etc.?” the median answer among the men was
$600 to $650, and among the women, $550 to $600. It was found,
further, in this study, that among the men the median reply to the
question “What percentage of your total expenses in college is
E paid for by someone other than yourself?” was “50%” and among
the women, “75%.” The survey further demonstrated that about
&. 66% of the students must provide at least 20% of their own ex-
*. penses. Among the men, 20% to 25% must provide 100% of their
“4 , schooling costs, and a total of 40% must provide 75% or more of
F. their bill.
, It would be a mistake to appraise the possibility of passing a
. larger part of our costs to the students on the basis of charges
made even a few years ago. At that time the schools charged ap-
‘ proximately $125, but today, for example, a theological seminary
: is forced to charge approximately $315; a teachers’ college $350
EF _ ($410 for women); one preparatory school $345, another $430. And
8. charges to “general education students” average an additional 20%
: to 30%.
_ Under these circumstances it will readily be agreed that it will
e not be possible to make any appreciable increases in the cost of
« such education without adversely affecting the enrollment of stu-
e. dents.

The Board for Higher Education is convinced that Synod
should continue its policy of furnishing the capital necessary to
erect dormitory housing for our students. This is in accord with
current practice throughout the country. Colleges and universities
rarely attempt to secure any return on capital investments from
students and are considered fortunate if they can derive as much
; as 50% of their educational operating costs from student fees. Aux-
 iliary enterprises (dormitories, dining halls, etc.) are, of course,
expected to operate entirely on their own income.

We believe therefore that Synod’s past practice in this matter
has proved to be a sound contribution toward the objectives which
Synod is attempting to reach in its training program and that the
construction of such housing continues to be justified as an out-
right gift from the Church. |

However, it is difficult to justify having Synod carry the total
cost of the maintenance of such quarters without assessing against
the students who live in them, any charge for costs occasioned
(normal maintenance) by their use of these living quarters
furnished by Synod. (Students do pay for operation of the build-
ings and for some of the utilities.)

We estimate that the following proposal would produce annual