Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1969 · 48th Convention › Page 291
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 291

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

HIGHER EDUCATION 291

d. In the opinion of the board and the administration

the enrollment potential is more than adequate to
sustain a 4-year college. With the greater attrac-
tiveness which a 4-year college has for students
preparing for a profession and for the general
liberal arts students, there is every reason to ex-
pect that the Bronxville campus would draw an
increasing number of students. We know that the
young people of our congregations in the East
are a college-going group. Many are now at-
tending other Lutheran colleges in this area, and
more than 700 are attending Valparaiso University
in the Midwest. The college enrollment over the
past 5 years has varied from 400 to 475.

_ In the area of faculty development, a major con-
cern of the board and the administration, financial
assistance and study leaves have been granted
with heartening results, and prospects even for
the immediate future. The expectation is that in
1969—-70 six additional members of the faculty
will receive terminal degrees. Another group ‘has
advanced considerably beyond the master’s level,
pursuing graduate studies with a view to doc-
toral certification at the earliest time. Authoriza-
tion to move toward a 4-year college would give
added incentive to the faculty in pursuing grad-
uate studies through doctoral degrees and would
be helpful in the appointment to the faculty of
persons already or nearly so qualified.

_ Library: The present Bronxville library, its staff
and policies, represents a solid basis on which
to build library holdings and services suitable for
a 4-year college. Applying currently applicable
standards, we meet staffing requirements of pro-
fessionals and subprofessionals for the library in
a college of our size. Likewise. catalogued book
holdings exceed minimums recommended, and our
card catalog encompasses all of our holdings, in-
cluding audiovisual materials, and is maintained
according to American Library Association cata-
loging and filing procedures. We also bind or
make available in microfilm significant periodicals
as much as our resources allow. The librarian
maintains statistical records and issues appropriate
reports on the state of the library, its usage, etc.
The library also currently participates in an active
interlibrary loan system which both serves its
needs and extends its realm of service.

_ There are a number of items in the area of finan-
cial resources and support which we should like
to note. Regarding the program for church-service
students, we assume that support from the central
synodical treasury would continue to be available.
The general students would be required to pay
a higher tuition rate than church vocation stu-
dents, even more than they do now. Regarding
other support, Bronxville has a promising history
of support from District resources, congregations,
and its auxiliary, the Lutheran Education Society.

Future solicitation of funds from its constituency,
from the Lutheran Education Society, and from
individuals holds considerable promise. Never-
theless, the college will have to very substantially
expand its fund-raising organization to carry out
the work of planning and soliciting support.

It will also be necessary for the college to
evaluate the possibility of foundation and govern-
mental assistance in supporting educational ac-
tivities and programs which are clearly in the
public interest. New York State aid is now avail-
able and is being used in significant amounts.
In addition to Regents Scholarships, Scholar In-
centive awards, and loans received by New York
State students at Bronxville. colleges of the state
can borrow funds through the state organization
for capital improvements. Also, beginning next
year, independent 4-year colleges and universities
will receive direct grants on the basis of the num-
ber of degrees they grant. The question whether
church-related colleges will eventually qualify is
still undecided.

These considerations prompt the board to re-
quest authorization to move from a 2-year to a
4-year Lutheran college. For this move they
earnestly solicit the Synod’s action.

Request for Capital Funds in the Immediate Future

All facilities used by the prep school will be avail-
able to the college after June 1969. This will be signifi-
cant especially in the areas of dormitory, classrooms,
library, and administrative offices. Regardless of the
long-range development of the college, the board re-
quests consideration for the following projects at this
time:

A. A new kitchen and enlarged dining room;

B. An addition to the music building;

C. An addition to the library;

D. The renovation of Schoenfeld Hall to serve as

chapel and auditorium;

E. Swimming pool.

Details will be presented to the Board for Higher
Education.
Federal and State Assistance

Governmental aid continues to play an increasing
role in the financing of the students’ education, although
our church connections limit some of the governmental
grants.

College Work Study Program: During the 1967—68
school year, students benefitted to the extent of about
$24,000. Under this program the government provides
85°. of the student-help payroll for those who come
from relatively low-income families. The program is
planned for continuance in the coming years.

Matching Grants for Improvement of Undergraduate
Instruction (Title V1): Under this program the college
has in past years received a grant of one half of the
expenditures for a language laboratory ($12,500), chem-