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America’s entry into World War II was an unwelcome event for Brooklyn College,
as of course, it was countrywide. The World War II years were understandably serious
ones. There were war-related activities both in and outside the classrooms at Brooklyn
College, but the campus itself was peaceful, and there was no student unrest.
Brooklyn College had many activities related to defense, including first aid courses, the training of air raid and fire wardens, drills, and even civilian pilot training. Student representatives were active in these plans and in their execution. The college curriculum also experienced changes. Courses related to the war effort, directly or indirectly, were quickly adopted. Added to the curriculum, at least for the duration, were such offerings as cryptography, chemistry of explosives, meteorology, ballistics, navigation, and radio. Courses in Japanese and Russian were also scheduled. Special dispensation was made for male students to carry heavier programs if they desired, and to have preference in registration for summer school.Men also had to take additional courses in physical education, and all students had to pass a swimming test as a requirement for the degree, prescriptions that would continue in effect long past the end of the war. |
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