Conference on Higher Education for Jews Recommends Program to Fight Discrimination

A six-point program aimed at combatting anti-Jewish discrimination in higher education was formulated here at a two-day conference on Higher Education for Jews convened by the American Jewish Committee. Recognizing the existence of “wide-spread racial and religious discrimination” practiced by institutions of higher education, the conference recommended:

1. An appropriate impartial agency, preferably a foundation, should be commissioned to undertake a thorough study of the problem.

2. Steps should be taken to consult directly with authorities of institutions, and educational organizations should be encouraged to study discrimination and seek means of combatting it.

3. The public should be acquainted with the deleterious effects of discrimination, as well as with those institutions which have achieved desirable practices.

4. When necessary, undesirable practices of particular institutions should be called to the attention of appropriate groups.

5. The American Jewish Committee should support and sponsor federal legislation making non-discrimination a condition for federal grants to institutions.

6. The American Jewish Committee support the proposal to create a State University in New York and give serious consideration to sponsoring the establishment of state medical schools in states where present opportunities are insufficient.

One day of the conference was devoted to a discussions of the feasibility and desirability of the establishment of one or more institutions of higher education sponsored and supported by Jews. The proposals were considered partly as a counter-balance to discrimination, but mainly on the broader basis of an actual contribution to intercultural understanding. Widely diverse opinions on this topic were expressed, and the conference appointed a committee to prepare a report on the problems involved.