Recent writers to PAW have expressed a concern for the minuscule number of veterans on campus (letters, Feb. 6). With a commitment from the University, the assistance of the admission office, and regional schools committees, double-digit increases could be achieved. Federal funding is available for many of these veterans that could make a Princeton education a reality.
In 1954, I chaired the 72-member Veterans in Princeton group. We met on a regular basis to ease the transition from military life to life as college freshmen, and as necessary with the University staff to change in loco parentis rules as they unnecessarily applied to veterans. Mandatory chapel was eliminated, automobile passes were issued where appropriate, and veterans were allowed to join eating clubs as freshmen. The University created a veterans-affairs committee that could resolve problems and assist individual veterans. I was fortunate to have a committee member search for and obtain federal funds for research that allowed me to complete my senior thesis.
I would like a new generation of veterans to have the same opportunities that I had as a Korean War veteran at Princeton.