Supply & Demand

A college, John W. Taylor* insists, should have two student bodies: one on its campus and one in its community. After 18 years of teaching and administration (at Columbia and Louisiana State University), he was convinced that most U.S. colleges shirk their civic responsibilities. When he became president of the University of Louisville three months ago, he decided that he would not make their mistake. "We're here to bring academic information to the sons and daughters of Louisville," he said, and set to work on a plan to give a college education to every Louisvillian who wanted one.

The plan is now ready. When the University opens for the fall term, two "Neighborhood Colleges" in public libraries will also open. One will be for Negroes ; under Kentucky's Day Law, Negroes and whites may not attend the same school. University professors and instructors will teach the courses -- art, science, literature, history. The libraries will provide text books.

Anyone who cannot afford a college education may enroll without cost. Only those who want credit toward a degree will pay tuition ($100 a semester). "It's the people's college idea that Thomas Jefferson had," says Taylor, "the idea of education for the masses."

Full-time students will spend three hours a night, five nights a week at their library colleges. On Saturdays, they will hold special discussion seminars. Simply by phoning the University, seminar instructors may have any transcribed opera, symphony or broadcast (Invitation to Learning, Chicago Round Table, etc.) piped in to their classes.

Last week, as workmen installed air conditioning and loudspeakers in the two Louisville libraries, University phones were jammed with "Neighborhood" applicants. Said tall, easygoing John Taylor: "There is no question of the demand." Said the Louisville Courier-Journal: "There is no question of the . . . need."

-Not to be confused with Sarah Lawrence's president, Harold Taylor, no kin.

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