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[133?] Carolina Street San Francisco 10 3-16-45
Office of the President, Stanford University, California
Dear Sir,
In answer to your letter of March 15th - yes, I would like more university work after the war is over: Our class finishes its internships in March '46 and by that time no one knows what the war situation will be of course. However, I would like further post-graduate work in Surgery - either at Stanford or at an approved school such as Washington of St. Louis or the Boston schools.
I realize post-graduate demands will probably be heavy, but I hope by some magic the university can expand its post-graduate program.
Housing on the campus probably wouldn't concern me - but I would like to suggest that accomodations be provided by large living groups - such as Encina and Sequoia - and that fraternities
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and sororities be abandoned. Frankly, I don't think these organizations justify their existence. Larger living groups seem to carry out the spirit of university life and tend to break down the artificial barriers set up by more closely knit, smaller groups. Of course I realize this is entirely a personal opinion, and a great majority of the members of even my own class would probably violently disagree with me.
As far as extra-curricular activities go, I think an increase in the number of informal parties, dances etc. would be very welcome - especially to the newer students at Stanford. We always had excellent musical programs in the auditorium but perhaps a regular concert series with guest artists would work well. This type of program was very enthusiastically attended at U.C.L.A. by students, faculty, and interested outside people.
Change in the Medical School program can't be accomplished without a general upheaval throughout the country as a
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whole, I suppose, but Biochemistry and Bacteriology could best be given in the Pre-Medical work, I believe. This would give us more time for Anatomy and Histology during our first year in Medical School - and these latter two subjects are too important in later work to be slighted because we have Biochem. or Bacty. to study for.
I hope this letter was along the line you wished and thank you for the opportunity to voice some of my hopes for the future of Stanford.
Sincerely yours,
Edward W. Cook
