© 2007 Institute of Current World Affairs
The Institute awards long-term fellowships to develop a deep understanding of an issue, country, or region outside the US and to share that understanding with a wider public.
Institute of Current World Affairs - Home Page

Below is a hobbled text version of a PDF document.
In order to read the actual document please click the link below and register if necessary.
(One-time registration is free and very quick.)
Read article

6/4/1947 - University of Michigan; Student Organizations; Veterans by Albert Ravenholt

AR No Ann Arbor Michigan June Mr Walter S Rogers lustitute Current World Affairs Fifth venue New York N Ye Dear Rogers Searching phrase which attitudes I encouutered students University ichian reminded comment correspondent about Chinese press He looked enough Chinese papers could headllne prove anything So seemed during these Ann Arbor With exception small vocal splinter roups limited folloings number students organized along political lines their thinking follow particular clearly defined channels When asked their views specific domestic international situatio students intelligent answers But there little evidence devoted energy individual constructive thinking Most eithe extensively outside their prescribed courses participate organized discussion groups Tat I found unconcerned world But rather large majority faced individual problems demand imediate solution although Genuinely curious about national world problems putting thinking about until future During quarter mature portion student veterans They comprised almost approximately students attended university They temper student professors raised grade averages various schools considerable percentages Veterans usually joined three organizations American Legion V F AVC Of those largest number become members uuerican Legion VF number asked their reply Have Legion clubhouse ashtenaw County where campus located The veterans centers provide places where conveniently drinks glasse The centers appeal after putting hours books relax The national veterans crganization chapter campus AVC That group membership about student organizations Both students professors I talked considered their activities generally level They example sponsored cleanup messing facilities students dormitories federal housing project built during accommodate workers Willow bomber plant They AR No I instrumental getting Henry allace address campus I think examination reactions Wallace visit would illustrate emper sudent interest Wallace spoke aproximately students faculty members The meeting clock attendance meant students would their lunch A number students tended I should judge sheer curiosity However several impartial professors thought President Truman would drawn larger audience under circum stances In political discussions I students eventually refer Wallace They accept without question former president definite impression Oe civil engineering student remarked I about sllaoe visit You I think about before president I That represented minority viewpoint I surprised number times I heard similar attitude expressed They friendly toward Wallace young business farmer I talked Pacific Northwest However within AVC their energy devoted inter necine fight centering around issue communism University President Alexander G Ruthven ruled local organization known American Youth Democracy could loner campus facilities meetings The organization accused working closely communists I gather action insistence State legislature where after funds The organization itself seemed insignificant reported memberso But happens larger issues remote vocal local groups seized action issue Interest subsided seems forgotten The housin shortage which uppermost students minds least partially solved through Willow Village At housin poject which about miles outside University arrangements Federal Housing Administration accommodate nearly single veterans approximately married veterans their wives children I found Villae efficiently administered Students provided recreational facilities fairly adequate living quarters ingle students payin dollars month single rooms double rooms rried students being charsed dollars three apartments light water furnished The project primary chool veterans children several churches Yesterday mornin I through class labor The students school number clearly thought solutions national problemso Most country needed labor legislation wondered Taft Hartley Bill would provide answer merely confusion The University developing interesting Far Eastern program organized around Center Japanese Studies I spent ARNo stimulatin afternoon number their students discussing progress occupation Japan The program explained Idischa Titiev heads effort smmer during Robert Hall absence California They received grant dollars Carnegie foundation which propose partly setting branch Japan concentrate study Inland Sea Area Their scheme mentioned SCAP implementation hinge securing approval General LcArthur Meamhile proceeding study along specific academic lines using nucleus about advanced students Most students soldiers training Japanese language history later served occupation They military occupation Jnerican effort Japan success within lizLits defined However insist those announced objectives occupation superficial create Japan which Erow country Americans They wondered American people could realize scope effort would required Japa really educated adequate civil service trained Americans would actually welcome program which would necessary Japan basic problems solved healthy manner At University Michigan I found I thought would worth consideration possible member Institute He Stewart McFadden student school expects graduate February cFadden served months during officer Fighter Conmnd Airforce Canal Zone Colom Venzuela Central America During service developed considerable interest those peoples He anxious return region raduates learn about their system about their entire civilization He impressed wears mental blinders From I learned obvious I penetrating clusions state American students I possible valid generalizations However I think I begin might possible thoroughly motivating ideas youth being educated postwar A professor I lunch expressed rather He You finished answers students international problems They haven thought The usually their ideas Smnediate local question which ventually certain attitude toward larger problems That angles I going The whole measuring awareness American student challenging prospect which I relish In morning I board train Chicago I spend hours there proceed dison From University Vsconsin logical route would appear University nnesota Ames Probably address I could Give would registrar office there Ames Iowa I would appreciate suggestions effective mthods organizinG research