Faculty Papers: Teaching at UD (1920-1956)

Teaching at UD (1920-1956) 

The early years of the University were characterized by a strong emphasis on teaching, with members of the Society of Mary (S.M.s) holding most of the faculty and administrative positions. Course loads were high, and professors taught a variety of subjects with little time left over to pursue a research agenda. 

Erving Beauregard on teaching loads:

"When I came in 1947, the normal load in our department and, I believe, elsewhere was 15 hours. However, more terms than one we often times did teach although usually with extra compensation, 18 hours, sometimes 21 hours. And so at that time there was very little leisure for engaging in scholarly activities, in particular production. However, with the passage of time there came recognition, the need perhaps to reduce teaching hours in order to have more time for class preparation, for advising students, and also for advancing one’s own professional career and eventually we had a normal load of 12 hours. Which eventually all became one of 12 one term and 9 hours in the other. And this has certainly been a boon in our lives as teachers and scholars."

Between 1947 and 1948, with a rush of World War II veterans pushing the limits of enrollment at UD, the University added eighty lay faculty members to its staff. The professionalization of the faculty was slow but steady.  In 1950, 16 percent of the professors had a Ph.D. or M.D. By 1957, the total had risen to at least 25 percent, and to 31 percent by 1970.

Next: Reseach at UD (1965-Present)

Left: View of the Chapel and St. Mary's Hall. Right: A group of faculty, 1943-1944 school year.

During the Great Depression UD faced financial pressure and tuition increased annually despite steady declines in student enrollment. In 1937 tuition went up by $55 which was a 20% increase over the previous year. In 1935 the University had to close the Law School due to shrinking resources.

During the Depression and the war years, the University boosted admissions by admitting women. UD was the first of all Catholic universities in the United States to open its doors to women in 1935. These “coeds” were admitted to the separate College for Women for the first two years, but in 1937 the College for Women was dissolved and women were allowed to enroll in all classes.

The senior class of 1945.