War Emergency Council on Student Christian Work.
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War Emergency Council on Student Christian Work.
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War Emergency Council on Student Christian Work.
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The War Emergency Council on Student Christian Work was established in 1942 to deal with the readjustments made necessary by the impact of World War II on college and university campuses. The Council collected and disseminated information, arranged regional consultative conferences, and worked as an intermediary between the United States military establishment and student religious movements. In September 1944, the purposes, functions, and organization of the War Emergency Council were transferred to the newly formed United Student Christian Council in the U.S.A., constituting its War Emergency Committee.
The War Emergency Council on Student Christian Work was established in 1942 to deal with the readjustments made necessary by the impact of the Second World War on college and university campuses. The following ten factors were cited in a memorandum calling for readjustment of student Christian movement activities:
- 1. After February 1, 1943 practically all able-bodied men over 18 in the colleges will be in some form of military training and under military discipline.
- 2. Free time and vacations will be on a minimum basis.
- 3. Non-scientific courses for men will be largely eliminated.
- 4. It is probable that the program of military training may be largely concentrated in a limited number of the larger institutions.
- 5. Some colleges are considering a lowering of entrance requirements, which would greatly increase the proportion of underclassmen.
- 6. Increasing numbers of women's units (military, industrial, etc.) will be located on campuses.
- 7. Leaders in higher education are having little part in determining war-time educational plans.
- 8. In most larger military units chaplains probably will be provided.
- 9. Any work done by voluntary agencies within military units on the campus will be by military permission.
- 10. All of the above factors, plus the growing emphasis upon consolidated financial appeals, creates a serious crisis for the financing of our regular work, locally, regionally and nationally.
The Council initially was composed of members representing The National Commission on University Work of the Council of Church Boards of Education (denominational student Christian work) and the National Intercollegiate Christian Council (YMCA, YWCA, and regional Student Christian Movements). The Student Volunteer Movement was invited to become a member of the War Emergency Council in October, 1943.
The War Emergency Council collected and disseminated information, arranged regional consultative conferences, and worked as an intermediary between the United States military establishment and student religious movements. Negotiations between the War Emergency Council and military officials cleared the way for resident religious agencies on American campuses to be of service to students who were part of the armed services.
To facilitate coordination in dealing with the war-time emergency situation, the Council worked with the National Catholic Welfare Conference and the B'nai B'rith Hillel Foundations to form the Inter-Religious Council. The War Emergency Council also worked with the Department of Evangelism of the Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America to form the Christian Commission on War Time Campus Missions. The War Emergency Council played a role in "awakening both students and student leaders throughout the country to the necessity and the possibility of an officially appointed Council representing the various organizations as an instrument of clearance in all their cooperative activities."
In September 1944, the purposes, functions, and organization of the War Emergency Council were transferred to the newly formed United Student Christian Council in the U.S.A., constituting its War Emergency Committee.
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Universities and colleges
College students
World War, 1939-1945