In a survey of the approaches by colleges and universities to questions of postwar reconstruction and rehabilitation, The New York Times described Vassar’s interdepartmental approach:

“An interdepartmental major field in problems and principles of reconstruction is offered at Vassar College.  The aim is to increase understanding of the rehabilitation problem, to prepare students for service in agencies which administer foreign relief, and to provide a foundation for those who wish to participate in the post-war reconstruction work in Europe.

“Two main lines of study are followed: knowledge of one of more of such fields as child welfare, public health and nutrition, social welfare, and knowledge of the language, literature, customs, geography and economic resources of a particular country in which rehabilitation work may be needed.”