46

A  Study  of  Student  Loans  and

Points  of  View 34
Examining  the  present  tendencies  of  thought  on  this  subject,  we  find
that  they  fall  into  three  categories.  At  one  extreme  we  find  those  people
who  think  that  society  should  furnish  higher  education.  By  this  is  meant
that  when  there  are  not  sufficient  funds  available  from  Philanthropie
sources,  the  state  or  community  should  become  responsible.  At  the  other
extreme  we  find  those  who  believe  that  the  direct  recipient,  that  is.  the
Student  attending  the  university  or  College,  should  pay  the  full  cost  of
education,  and  who  hope  that  means  can  be  found  to  maintain  the  present
type  of  enrollment  under  such  a  regime.
Between  these  two  extremes  we  find  the  large  majority  who  believe
that  society  as  a  whöle  and  the  direct  recipient  should  bear  jointly  the
financial  support  of  higher  education.  This  group,  of  course,  is  further
divided  as  to  what  per  cent.  of  the  total  cost  each  should  bear.  Let  us
examine  each  of  these  views  in  turn.
Society  Should  Bear  the  Cost
Those  who  advocate  that  society  should  bear  the  cost  take  their  stand
on  the  ground  that  education  is  not  only  beneficial  but  necessary  for  the
well-being  and  progress  of  society.  This  is  a  socialistic  or  institutionalistic
  point  of  view  toward  education—a  commodity  to  be  distributed
to  the  public  and  paid  for  by  it.  This  doctrine  had  its  roots  in  lower
education  and  not  in  higher  education.  The  essence  of  it  is  that  by  giving
all  individuals  an  opportunity  to  be  educated,  society  is  benefited  proportionately.
  This  was  true  at  one  time  and  may  still  be  claimed  of  lower
and  secondary  education,  but  higher  education  has  assumed  new  purposes.
Those  who  are  of  this  opinion  have  not  progressed  beyond  the  trend  of
thought  that  was  prevalent  when  universities  and  Colleges  were  first  established.
  The  early  institutions  of  higher  learning  were  privately  endowed
universities  and  Colleges.  They  trained  ministers  and  other  Professional
men  to  meet  a  social  need.  These  people  went  out  and  worked  for  very
small  fees  and.  their  efforts  were  in  large  measure  missionary,  whether
they  were  in  the  ministry,  in  teaching,  law,  or  medicine.  Education  did
not  have  the  same  economic  value  then  as  it  has  today.
34  Based  on  Interviews  and  correspondence  with:
Mr.  T.  C.  Carlson,  Bursar,  University  of  Arkansas.
Mr.  J.  C.  Christensen,  Ass’t  Secretary,  University  of  Michigan.
Mr.  Horace  S.  Ford,  Bursar,  Mass.  Institute  of  Technology.
Mr.  A.  J.  Lobb,  Controller,  University  of  Minnesota..
Mr.  M.  E.  McCaffrey,  Secretary,  Bd.  of  Regents,  Univ.  of  Wisconsin.
Mr.  W.  J.  Mathers,  Ass’t  Cashier,  University  of  Chicago.
Mr.  Lloyd  Morey,  Comptroller,  University  of  Illinois.
Mr.  J.  D.  Phillips,  Bus.  Mgr.,  University  of  Wisconsin.
Mr.  N.  C.  Plimpton,  Auditor,  University  of  Chicago.
Mr.  George  F.  Sheers,  Auditor,  Carnegie  Institute  of  Technology.
Mr.  Shirley  W.  Smith,  Secretary,  University  of  Michigan.
Dr.  S.  S.  Wilson,  Secretary,  Western  Reserve  University.
Dr.  C.  F.  Thwing,  President  Emeritus,  Western  Reserve  University.