UA-R-GC-1914-01-01-1943-11-05_Page-018

al authorities or by any serious educational survey if the weakness of our staff were made public, that we have often wondered whether the name University should not be abandoned and a more modest title such as Institute be adopted for ttie total-ity of our activities. (4) A fourth point requiring study is the fixing of the status of Egyptian members of our staff whose worth, training and experience entitle them to something better than the uncertain relationship of a temporary contract with no promise of an assured future career. 2. The Library: The circulation record for books this year exceeds that of last year by only 71, but since it has to do with a smaller enrollment of students, it means that the use of the Library is steadily increasing. Mr. Howard, who has acted as Librarian, reports an increasing demand by the general public in Cairo for Library privileges. We have extended these privileges to many of the military. A few sifts to the Library are to be recorded: a set of 100 beautiful large colored proof sheets from I&rs. Davis's book on Egyptian Art, bought through a gift of ten pounds secured by Dr. Cleland; some 2u0 books chiefly related to antiquarian subjects, donated by the Blanchard Estate; a number of current books, donated by Dr. W. B. Hill to the staff reading; circle and then reverting to the Library. In the administration of the Library our chief anxiety concerns our loss of our cataloguer whose financial demands we can no longer meet. This again is due to the war demands for personnel. 3. The Hostel: Mr. Janssen as Hostel Master, has presented one of the most comprehensive reports on record and it will repay study by all who wish a clear pic-ture of this part of our work. A few points are worthy of special emphasis: (1) Mr. Janssen renews the request, which almost every annual report pre-sents, namely, that the Hostel ought to have as soon as possible a permanent Hostel Master. Only thus can the experience of the years be preserved and continuity secured. (2) This year it has been a year--long fight to make ends meet in the manage-ment of the Hostel. Nor could success be achieved completely, for the year ended with a deficit of 125 Egyptian pounds. No wonder, when une realizes how the cost of living has soared from month to month and fees for the first semester had been based on prices during the previous summer. The deficit has been charged to a re-serve. (3) Mr. Janssen ca.t.is attention to the steady deterioration of all Hostel equipment, bought some 2U years ago. Naturally we are all hoping that with minimum repairs the equipment will last until new dormitories can be erected on the Univer-sity's suburban site. In this connection it should be stated that the President ad-dressed a letter to General Brereton, commanding American forces in the Middle East, asking that the University be given priority in securing a generous share of the American military camp equipment when the time comes to demolish these military centers. To be effective this request needs to be carefully followed up at Washing- 2