this building. $200,000.00 was originally appropriated, but we held out for $300,000.00. The amount finally approved was just a little under $300,000.00. If this had not been forthcoming, our plans for the building would have been wrecked. We also obtained a high priority for the building, so everything is ready to let the contract as soon as the war is over. We are hoping that construction will start this fall.
We failed to obtain approval of and on appropriation for the semi-industrial scale building for which we were asking $75,000.00.
Recently, however, with the help of the Ceramic Association, we have revived interest so this project and the State Planning Commission is being approached with requests for providing for it. It is highly important that this building be provided and that it be constructed before the main building is started. Otherwise we will be confronted with the problem of finding a place for the operations now carried on in Binns Hall when that building is demolished, to make way for the main building. It will enable us to provide for the rehabilitation of veterans in a kind of work highly adapted to that purpose. It will enable us to give our graduates a year's experience in industrial work before they go into the industry. Most important of all, it will enable us to develop our research work on a semi-industrial scale before turning it over to the industries. That is done now in the plants which is highly unsatisfactory.
The Ceramic Experiment Station
The Department of Research, or Ceramic Experiment Station as it is sometimes called, is the one division of the college that has not been adversely affected by the war. On the contrary, it is operating at a peak in all respects. It is at a peak in scope of operations, re- sults obtained and in the enthusiasm and industriousness of the staff.
In fact it is the main factor at the present time, in maintaining the prestige of the college.
The staff of the Station consists of five regular employees and five fellowship men with a variable number of part time assistants.
The research work is divided into three catagories: (1) the work of the regular staff which is financed by the State (2) the fellow- ship work which is financed by the industries and which is confidential
(3) student thesis research. No private consulting work is done by the members of the Ceramic Experiment Station, but the teaching faculty does a great deal of it. The sum total of all these activities makes a quite respectable research program. We believe that we can no longer be accused as we once were, of not doing our share in ad- vancing the ceramic science.
Monthly progress reports are mailed to the 150 members of the
STATE COLLEGE OP CERAMICS, DEAN'S REPORT 31 Ceramic Association each month. These reports cover the work of the regular staff. In addition, confidential fellowship reports are sent each month to the sponsoring companies and patentable material is prepared for patent applications.
Another development on bloated clay is being exploited by the sponsoring company at a cost to date of more than $40,000.00. These instances are cited to indicate something about the results we are achieving in our research work.
Survey and Test of the Clays and Shales of New York
This project for which a special appropriation was obtained last year, is progressing splendidly. A State car and special assistance by Dr. Henry Leighton of the University of Pittsburgh were provided.
The months of June, July, and August, were spent by Dr. Leighton and Professor Dickens, studying the deposits and collecting samples.
Altogether we have about 500 samples. Professor Dickens has been engaged the past winter testing these samples and has issued a pro- gress report on the tests to date. Dr. Leighton has submitted an ex- tensive report on the geology of the deposits in the western half of New York. During June, July, and August of this year, Dr. Leighton and Professor Dickens will make a similar survey of the eastern half of the State. Eventually a book wTill be published, giving com- prehensive information on all the deposits of the State. Two years will probably be required to complete this project of the State Geological Survey.
Industrial Fellowships
Six industrial fellowships are now operating under the supervision of the Ceramic Experiment Station.
Art Bulletin
A very attractive bulletin describing the work of the Ceramic Design Department has been published.
Finances
The budgetary situation continues to be excellent. The State has not ruled that the reduction in student enrollment necessitates a re- trenchment in the budget. On the contrary, most items were increased
Demand for Graduates
Numerous requests are being received all the time for Ceramic graduates. We are obliged to answer all requests with the statement, that none are available.
32 ALFRED YEAR BOOK, 1944 -45 The Future
With the probability of the war in Europe being over this spring or summer, we feel that we have weathered the storm of war effects and that we will not have to close down as so many ceramic schools have been obliged to do. On the contrary, we are planning to keep our organizbation intact and continue normal, although abbreviated operation. We are planning expansion and betterment for the post- war period, feeling confident that there will be opportunities for a very substantial uplift in the College in all respects. However, on account of the critical condition that now prevails and the evolu- tionary changes that are ahead in the affairs of the nation as well as the College, it seems that now is the time for the Board to give thorough consideration to the status of the College, review its policies and objectives and lay down guiding direction for future operation.
The writer will give recommendations orally, if requested. This re- port gives a record of my efforts to carry out the instructions of the Board, given at its last meeting.
REPORT OF THE DEAN OF MEN
(In Full)
To the President of Alfred University:
I have very little to report on my work as Dean of Men during the college year 1944-1945. The small number of men enrolled in the two colleges during the war years has considerably reduced the administrative responsibilities of this office as compared with norm- al times.
An attempt has been made to carry on the regular program of activities as far as possible. Although the number of men has been reduced almost to the vanishing point, as compared with former years, many general campus administrative functions which have been tra- ditionally lodged in this office have been carried on as usual. The Chairmanship of the Committee on Absences, the Chairmanship of the Assembly Program Committee and my responsibilities as adviser to the Kanakadea staff have occupied no small part of my time.
My very heavy teaching load this year has made it necessary to curtail some of the activities which have been normally a part of the administrative program of this office. This curtailment has not been serious. It is to be hoped, however, that my teaching load will be lightened next year sufficiently to allow more time for the essential administrative functions.
The year has been marked by an absence of serious disciplinary
REPORT OF THE DEAN OF MEN 83 problems. In my opinion student morale has been maintained at a high level and relationships between students and faculty have been more friendly and cordial than for many years. I believe that in no small measure this cordiality is due to the establishment of the Stu- dent Union. This has provided a much wider opportunity for students and faculty to meet on common ground. The Student Union has been an outstanding contribution to our campus life and is very definitely a success. Much credit must go to those members of the faculty and of the student body who have been responsible for its organization and operation. It is my hope that some friend of the University will view this activity as one worthy of particular financial support. The present quarters will need to be enlarged with the return of a normal enrollment. I would personally like to see Bur- dick Hall torn down and a building erected on the same site which would accommodate the Student Union and which would also pro- vide rooms for student offices, meetings, etc. The need is great and
I believe that such a building could be constructed at a reasonable cost.
The next few years will be difficult years in many respects The return of service men to the campus will bring many problems of ad- justment both for them and for us. I believe that a committee of the faculty should soon begin a consideration of problems revolving around the returning veteran.
In conclusion, Mr. President, I wish to express, again, my appre- ciation of your friendship and counsel through the years. It has meant more to me than I can express in words. It is my hope that you will have many happy years in your retirement from the exacting responsibilities of a college presidency.
Respectfully submitted,
M. ELLIS DRAKE, Dean of Men May 11, 1945
REPORT OF THE DEAN OF WOMEN
(In Full)
To the President of Alfred University:
It is a satisfaction to record in this annual report that there have been more women attending college at Alfred this year than ever before in its history. The total attendance for the year has been two hundred fifty-seven. Of these, one hundred forty-one were taking the Liberal Arts course, fifty-three Nursing, and sixty-three Ceramic Art and Engineering.
The Brick, under the supervision of Mrs. Edith Burdett, was at the beginning of the year filled to its capacity of one hundred seven, and it was necessary to use Bartlett, where, under the supervision of Mrs. Lou Hill, fifty girls are living. During the first semester, before the arrival of the twenty-one second-semester nurses, the wo- men at Bartlett had their meals at The Brick. Since the beginning of the second semester the dining-room in Bartlett has been open.
Fifty-four girls have lived in the three sororities. During the year freshman girls have organized a new sorority whose fundamental aim is to make no racial nor religious discrimination. This group hopes to have a residence next year and a request has also been made by the women of the Independent group to have a residence for upperclass women outside of sororities. The difficulty in both cases is that of finding a suitable house. The cooperative house, still under the supervision of Mrs. Madeleine Burdick, housed eighteen girls. Now in its fourth year, this experiment has justified its exist- ence both from a social and a financial point of view. It is entirely self-supporting and has been able to buy some furniture, eventually to replace the furniture now rented from the fraternity. Living in this house has meant a considerable saving in money for its residents.
Other assistance for students needing help has been given to twenty-one different women by work on K.P. in the dormitories and to a number in the newly established Student Union. Sixty-six women have had the benefit of scholarship help during the year, only two failing to attain at any time the required index. Room grants have not been given this year with the exception of three to women who have acted as counselors at The Brick.
Due to the absence of many men on campus there have been fewer large social events but the four or five all-college dances have been for that reason more welcome. The departmental clubs have carried on their usual activities, including French Week, a Pan American celebration by the Spanish Club, and a Latin banquet. The Alfred Christian Fellowship music on Sunday afternoons and the evening discussions planned by them have been well attended. So- cial Hall has been open for these programs and for all-student use on Saturday nights, and for many special meetings and social occasions.
There have been no severe illnesses or accidents during the year and no serious problems of discipline. The counseling program has been carried on as usual. There have been an increased number of special permissions requested due to the presence at home or on campus of relatives or frends on furlough. However, scholarship does not seem to have been radically affected. The women attending the Ag-Tech School as well as those of the Colleges have been under
REPORT OF THE DEAN OF WOMEN 35 the general supervision of this office. They have been housed in two dormitories and a few of them in Bartlett. The cadet nurses at the Olean and Corning Hospitals have been under the supervision of Mrs. Harvey, the director of nurses, and the dean of women. Rules for their conduct in the hospital were made in conference with the superintendents of the two hospitals.
Two college women have been married during the year to men in service and have left college for the time being to be with their husbands. Two women left college the second semester to join the WACS.
During the summer semester for nurses the women taking that course will be housed at Klan Alpine. The Brick will be used for women attending the six weeks summer session.
As this is the last annual report I shall submit to you, Mr. Presi- dent, I want to express my great appreciation of the privilege it has been to work with you for Alfred University and to wish for you a long, happy, and not too busy retirement.
Respectfully submitted,
DORA K. DEGEN, Dean of Women May 10, 1945