College Couples St Get Married Despite High Cost of Living

Couples go on getting married at vard, little daunted by the higher of living, or by the tapering off of GI Bill.

That is the report of Mrs. Myles Baker, adviser for Harvard Wives. Her office at the Financial Aid Centre exists solely to give jobs and advice to the University's married couples. Mrs. Baker's vice usually is a far cry from love suggestions. She's more concerned the higher cost of living and the number of jobs available for wives of Harvard students.

Mrs. Baker estimates living costs for University couples have increased an 30 percent since a year ago. Most of jump, she thinks, has been in the of food, which has gone up as much 40 percent. Rents are up around percent.

GI Bill aid has largely ended, except for those who registered with the varsity before last July. The Bill's tapering off has meant a long-term cline in the number of undergrad marriages. 1948 say 476 College families, while at present there are only 123.

Another reason for the decline in the number of married couples is the increased number of younger undergraduates.

Both higher costs and less aid have served to create an unusual amount of financial problems this year. Her office, consequently has been swamped by anxious wives seeking part-time work. At present, the centre has a list of over three hundred women anxious to take in typing. This type of work which can be done at home is most soughtafter, but there is more than an ample number of wives willing to act as babysitters.

Pay rates for these part-time jobs have remained about the same as last year; so-more work has to be done to get the same spending power. But for those doing full-time jobs, such as secretarial work, wages have adjusted upward along with the cost of living