Years Ago In the Historical Digital Collegian:
"Early Years of the Great Depression, 1930-1935"
Eric Novotny, Humanities Librarian
Penn State University Park
The Great Depression
As the nation endures what has been dubbed The Great Recession, it is only natural to wonder how Penn State fared in the early years of the Great Depression. Then, as now, students and faculty struggled to maintain normal academic and social activities in the face of extraordinary financial pressures and anxieties over future employment prospects.
Calm Before the Storm
The dire economic consequences of the 1929 stock market crash were not immediately reflected in the campus newspaper. The usual lighthearted mix of campus news, social events, and athletic contests continued to dominate the pages of the Collegian. As the economic crisis cast its shadow over the campus, students continued to pursue their favorite recreational pastimes. Dances, movies, and football remained popular leisure activities. These social gatherings occasionally ran afoul of campus and town authorities and students protested what were seen as overzealous police interventions. (Apr 8, 1930, p.2 "Guardian of the Gates")
While they may not have been discussing the economy, students had plenty to say. Debate raged over the hot-button issues of the day including:
*efforts to ban extreme hazing rituals during fraternity ”Hell Week” (Feb. 21, 1930, “Intrafraternity Council Approves Hell Week Ban”),
*an unsuccessful campaign to adopt a more liberal “ Cut system” excusing senior absences from classes (March 14, 1930 “Council Group will offer Cut Proposal…”),
*a Collegian contest to name a new school song to improve “singing and cheering at Penn State athletic contests.” (Dec. 3, 1929, “Collegian starts contents for new Songs and Cheers”)
*a referendum to loosen the social rituals (“customs”) imposed on first and second year students. (May 23, 1930, “18 Customs Survive Student Referendum…”)
In one of the rare early references to the Depression the effects on student life are almost trivialized. The main impact noted was that students had become more careful with their funds and were now somewhat "less eager to set off light-heartedly on the usual haphazard week-end trip." (September 30, 1930, p.2 “Depression and the Colleges”)
As the campus prepared for Penn State’s 75th anniversary in 1930 the prevailing mood was optimism—the belief that "with the dawn of tomorrow shall come the light of a new and brighter era." (Feb. 21 1930, p.2 “With the dawn”)
Lean Times
Although slow to manifest itself, as the Depression wore on its impact on Penn State became increasingly evident. In 1932 the Pennsylvania legislature proposed slashing $1 million from Penn State’s appropriation. Although funding was eventually restored, the administration adopted austerity measures anticipating lean years ahead. (Sept. 15, 1932, “State restores $1 million slash”)
As faculty accepted a 10 percent pay cut and Penn State’s radio station, WPSC, went silent due to lack of funds, President Hetzel seemed almost grateful in 1933 at the prospect of a 10 percent reduction in funding, a cut Hetzel deemed “fair and just”. (May 9, 1933, “Hetzel pronounces cut fair and just”, May 17, 1932, “College to cease WPSC broadcasts”)
A Helping Hand and Road to Recovery
While Penn State was sheltered from the worst effects of the Depression, current and prospective students struggled to afford a Penn State education. Noting that “many more men than ever before are in hard straits,” faculty and staff contributed to an “unemployment fund” to assist students who might otherwise drop out due to financial difficulties. Students found a way to help that combined fun and charity—holding “loan dances” to support the student relief fund. (Dec. 11, 1931 "Faculty acts on relief appeal", January 05, 1932 "Faculty members subscribe $17,546 for relief funds")
Responding to the needs of students unable to travel to State College to attend classes, Penn State sought to bring higher education to underserved communities. The new “undergraduate centers” were the predecessors of today’s system of 24 Penn State campuses located throughout the Commonwealth. In 1933, the Collegian noted students receiving “complete freshman courses away from the College campus” at the newly created institutions at Sayre and Towanda. In 1934 off-campus undergraduate centers were established at Uniontown, Pottsville, and Hazelton to provide “limited college facilities for those high school graduates who are unable to attend college” (Oct 30, 1934 "Extension ClassmenEmulate Penn State Spirit in Home Town") Although regarded as a temporary response to unusual economic circumstances, the regional centers proved popular. (Oct 1, 1935 "Enrollment rises at new Centers").
Efforts by Penn State to keep higher education accessible were supplemented by federal and state assistance, notably the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA). One out of every six incoming freshman in 1934 was expected to receive FERA funds in 1934. Students eligible for FERA assistance received a monthly stipend ($15 in 1934). In return they performed useful services on campus. While many worked in the College of Agriculture, others assisted in projects as varied as a survey of sanitary conditions in local boarding houses, a steam study conducted by the power plant, and a study of mortality rates of students supervised by the Registrar’s Office. Approximately 22 men were assigned to the Library to move, reshelf, and clean books. (insert article links: March 22, 1934 "77 More Students Will Receive FERA Help During April", September 07, 1934 "FERA Student Relief Will Aid 262 Freshmen", March 5, 1934 “FERA Jobs Given to 360 Students During Weekend”).
The infusion of federal and state funds seemed to have had the desired effect. After a brief decline in enrollment, Penn State was able to boast of record-setting incoming classes in 1934 and 1935. Although difficult years lay ahead, Penn State had weathered the economic storm.