Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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I r^MlC1 FRKKOOM AND I^SSS-WINTMRW C?LI? (Continued From F??e 8) , _OI Hepburn, the Associate Pr!i??v of the Association, telePresident Phelps on July 8 Kr#piu? ^ information about Dr. ^".nnald rf dismissal. This telegram, MlU^wered on account of Preeldeut Bui w ab?eoce(jroin Hock HU1, was ji,ljrl6 by a letter asking Information about the dismissals i .ill l>rs Macdonald and Harris. 1* ill is letter Professor Hepburn ex. I i Li at length that the Association S proceeding upon the basis of Liilred good academic practice r"hyr than legal rights, that It had intention of Interfering [n the Llv internal affairs of the College, Bk . thai *l WHB ?yekln8 Information Bir the benefit of the teaehlug profea1 inn on the basis of accepted princiBtL of Ke<)d academic practice, 'president Prelps replied on July 28 ! I(0 b0,h letter and telegram as fob "Replying to your letter of July 16, Bm-elred in n?y office while I was Bin the summer work conference of the BLtuihern Association of Colleges ami secondary Schools held at Sewauee, Tennessee, and In reply to your In' Lairies concerning Dr. Helen MacBdonaki and Dr. Elizabeth Harris, the following are briefly the facts In re f?rd to them. -Dr Helen Macdonald is an alien of Canadian birth. Some two years i K0 tun no questions arose concerning her lack of citizenship. This matter B?-a8 reported to Dr. Macdonald with i Bthe suggestion that she achieve cltli I ten ship In the United States as she Bhad been a resident and a teacher in the country. This she seemed re' BluHant to do. After considerable time Bhad elupsed due to the Increase of the criticism regarding her lack of bliensblp. the advice was repeated Jjmewhat more urgently. After what j Bttfem**1 considerable reluctance she took first steps toward securing cltliBienship. | I "Dr. Macdonald came to Wlnthrop | B?s a teacher of political science. She j Bhaa always taught some courses In ' government. Some time previous to ! Bmy own coming here she had transI Blerred much of her teaching activities ! Bto the field of sociology. So far as | Bl know this transfer was wholly j Bvoluntary on her part. Sociology had j BbvoomP a nmJ<>r teaching activity with IBber. government a minor. I think B*t>e taught two sections In govern: Bment last year. The criticism of her I B'ack ?f citizenship centered on the Bfact that she was teaching govern ment. Due to this sttuatfbn She was Badvlsed to drop the two sections in B&overomerrt do ?f teadblug Hin sociology. This she protested. Bbe. however, took the matter under Broosi(It-ration and after some days of Bdeliberation came into the office and ^ agreed to the transfer of her teaching B*ctivities to sociology. It-seems, Bhowever, that she took the matter to Hthe Board of Trustees independently B<>[ this agreement protesting the Bfansfer. Wlnthrop has in common H*iih practically all the institutions I , I know a policy which forbids a teacher ! B to take matters of this kind independ^Btwlv to the Board without bringing Bte tiirough the office of the Preslj Bdeut At the annual commencement B meeting of the Board, June 2, Dr. i Mardonald'8 election was held UD ttnnJ an adjourned meeting of the Board pending further consideration of her ciise. Dr. Macdonald was notl' f:ed of titis and of the cause of the deftrment. Upon the convening of the adjourned meeting and the further consideration of her case she was Ir.ot elcc'^d to a teaching position for Hthe ensuing year. I Dr. Klizabeth Harris made herself Hfomewhat active in behalf of Dr. Macdonald. She interviewed one or morn in.-tubers of the Board in Dr. Macdonald's behalf, doing this as in tbe (;?>.- of Dr. Macdonald independently of the President. At the annual commencement meeting. June 2. her | fKtion similarly was deferred and i Bbe was notified of the postponement ^Bsod its cause. At the adjourned ' Bineeung of the Board and upon furthBt consideration of her case she was not elected to a teaching position. ! I "'The Board believes its policy of requiring all quch matters to come to the Board through the office of the HPresidt-nt a sound one. It does not intend to haVe teachers going lnde^Bpcndenrly and Individually to the members of th^ Board on such mat ters. it believes that such a policy would result in a situation of indlviduB*1 appeals inimical to the welfare of ^Bthe college.. This I think you can agree is good practice and common practice among institutions." I President Phelps' letter, quoted above, constitutes the only official ex Pianation of the dismissal ot either Dr. Macdonald or Dr. Harris. On the point of her Canadian citizenship Dr. Macdonald wrote to the Committee *? follows: I "This first inquiry concerning my r<tlienship was made last summer ^ UHO) within the last two weeks of rummer school, .not two years ago, as ?tated in Dr. Phelps* letter . . .1 The Ilr9t suggestion that I tak6 out Uhited ;ta,fls citizenship came on February mot 'his year, at which time Dr. i ~'P8 asked if he mlf^ht tell the ?oard that I was willing to take out ^ ^Pers if they desired me to do so. h not te" me ^at ^me that B e hoard had prevlonsly expressed B'8elf the subject. I told him with "ft hesitation that I was willing." ^B*8 sln-ady stated, Dr. Macdonald application for citizenship pap 7* 38 8?on as she was requested to B/? 80 by the Board of Trustees. With *pect to President Phelps' state J"*nt concerning her courses, she deBw 'hat sociology had become a ma^ ?r teaching activity and government " minor activity. She presented fig t0 'he Committee to show the Bim Tlnance ?' Rovernment in her hi. ? co?rses. Her statements on IBrotir D<,int are "uPPorted by a list of Bfrnm comPiled for the Committee B>v,r rfx'ftnt fHaloguea of the College. 1,16 f,ve academle yeara on to 1940 she taught seven oci^i^ ln K?T?rnment and three In mo-iS vPor tbe^academic year ov?jj Rhe six courses in Kf hH!lnem and four In sociology. Ons B ber ??u?es In sociology, entitled Ik "Social Legislation," might alao be regarded hh a course In government. It 1h significant to note that the laaue of Dr. Mactlonald'tt citizenship was later dropped by President Phelps. He has, however, assigned no other reason for her dismissal except the alleged Hy-Isaw violation. The Committee has received a considerable number of oral and written statements from other persons suggesting possible causes for the termination of her services. Prominently asserted as among these causes are the ambitions and the opposition of Dr. Keith, Head of the Deportment of History, who allegedly wished to absorb Dr. Macdonald's Department of Government and Sociology within his own. HIb department had already absorbed the courses In economics formerly Included In the Department of Government and Sociology. Administrative spokesmen, Including Dr. Keith, claimed that Dr. Macdonald was not * good teacher, that she drove students from her classes by dull, uninspired teaching, and by unduly severe grading. These chargos were warmly denied by members of the faculty and by several of Dr. Macdonald's former students, two of whom have written letters to the Committee in which they characterized Dr. Macdonald's classes as the best they attended at Winthrop College. On the point of Dr. Macdonald's work as a teacher Dean Fraser's estimate is pertinent. On June 10, 1941, Dr. Macdonald told Dean Fraser that she was contemplating seeking a position elsewhere and asked him for a letter of recommendation. Dean Fraser s^fmed surprised that she thought of leaving Wlnhtrop College and bojh orally and by letter expressed the hope that she would remain. In . hltf letter of recommendation he says of her that she has . . an excellent scholastic background ... a deep, genuine Interest in civic and social needs as well as In the literature of her field. She attend conferences regularly and keeps up to date In every way possible. At the same time, she keeps disinterested enough to maintain a comprehensive view and does not become over-serious concerning contemporary or local problems. This intelligent academic and cultural Interest naturally helps to make her teaching vital and has its due effect on the students." He also says in this letter that she has given "very good service for fourteen years" and that hie hopes she will continue to teach at Winthrop College indefinitely. , At the time the letter quoted above was written Dean Fraser appeared to know nothing of the fact that Dr. Mfacdonald's tenure was then In Jeopardy because of the citizenship issue. He probably attributed her uneasiness to President PhelpB* letter of June 4 to the faculty which called attention to the By-Law previously quoted President Phelps' action in this instance In seeking to terminate the tenure of a department head without even consulting the Dean of the Col-, lege is obviously irregular. Thus, without a hearing and approximately a month after the close of the academic year, the administration of Winthrop College dismissed a professor, a department head of fourteen years' standing, because of an alleged violation of a By-Law of which she and practically the whole of the faculty had nev?r heard. No sensible teacher or administrator can view this procedure as anything but arbitrary. heartless, and shortsighted. Her dismissal was in total violation of all decent academic practice. Dr Elizabeth Lee Harris holds the degree of B.A.. M.A. and PhD., from Vanderbilt University. She went to Winthrop College as Assistant Professor of English in 1937 from the College of the Ozarks, where she had , been Head of the English Department since 1934. Prior to that time she had been a member of the faculty of Grenda College. Until shortly before her dismissal she was regarded by the authorities of Winthrop College as a brilliant teacher and scholar. That she had the confidence of President Phelps is indicated by the fact that for three vears he placed her on the Publications Committee and also on the Freshmqn Advisory Committee A year before her dismissal she had been recommended for immediate promotion by Dr. Paul M. Wheeler,'Head of the English Department, in the following terms: - * "Dr. Harris has every qualification for this position*, she Is a scholar of more than usual attainments *he * a teacher of exceptional ability, she is a refined lady, with an unique wH and a highly developed sense of humor. and she Is loyal both to the Institution and to her employers. As late as April 21. er concluded a letter to Dr. Harris as *0"?Wthink It Is the consensus of opinion on the part of the faculty, and administration that yon 'arfc doing an exceptionally_ fine^ piece of work teaching at raf?on If at this time the administration Of the College had anjr Idea of dismissing Dr. Hartis. the Head of the Department who would consulted in such matters was totally two weeks later ,he ? titude toward Dr. Harris was rreatly altered Following a conference with President Phelps conoerning the possible promotion .of Dr. Harris. . Wheels informed her Ini a 1rtte dated May 6 that there was no Immediate prospect" of her promotion. In addition, he "most reluctantly1. with your present rank ydit- wH^ course would be lo seek another poanion that would be more to your 1,kWhen President Phelps engaged another teacher to fill t.ho vacancy for which Dr. Harris had keen reco mended, she conferred reports that ho assured her was nothing against her. that.her Z"k was appreciated, hut that In to secure the services *T the g& higher ranking position. It was daring March and April, u will be recalled, that the issue c* Quad lan cltlxenship was raised against l>r. Macdonald. (>u April 3 and 4 and about April 16 I)r. Macdouald held (the fateful Interviews with the three Trustees, assigned as the reason for her dismissal. Dr. Harris, who sympathised openly with l)r. Macdonald, Interviewed a Trustee on her behalf on May 16. On June S, 1941 President Phelps wrote to fir. Harris a letter identical with his let0?r of the same date to Dr. Macdonald notifying her that a decision as to her appointment for the next year was being referred to an adjourned meeting of the Hoard and citing her violation of Chapter 11. Section 10, of the By-Laws. Dr. Harris replied to this letter on June 7. expressing her opinion that the By-Laws were bvtug manipulated into charges against her, denying any previous knowledge of them and stating that her conduct did not Involve "official communications", and was no more thau the exercise of constitutional freedom of Hpeeeh. On July 7 the secretary of the Hoard of Trustees sont to Dr. Harris a notice of nonappointment identical with the notice sent on the same date to Dr. Macdonald. As shown by the letter quoted (herein before) above. President Phelps, when questioned about the dismissals of Dr. Macdonald and Dr. Harris, replied concerning Dr. Harris that she "made herself somewhat active in behalf of Dr. Macdonald" and waB discharged for Infringement of the By-Law already quoted. In both cases he defended the By-Law as neccossary for the proper administration of a college. Persons who criticized Dr. Harris in interviews with the Investigating Committee stated that sfie has a brilliant mind and that she is a good teacher, though some added "for the best students only." Some of her critics regard her as being a "crusader" and as one who employs her wit too "recklessly" and "caustically." She has many friends on the faculty, however, who warmly deny the validity t?f these criticisms. The Investigating Committee has encountered no evidence that any cause championed by her was unworthy of support. The Investigating Committee feels certain that the real reason tor Dr. Harris' dismissal is to be foftnd not in the reasons assigned by President Ph^Jps and the Trustees and not in the general vague allegations made by her subsequent critics but In certain evhhts which occurred in the spring of 1941. Among these is a particular Incident, Which aroused the antagonism of Dr.i Keith. Dr. Harris championed the cause of a teacher In the Department of History, who was forced to resign because he voiced disapproval of what he considered to be an uveremphasis of an extracurricular activity in which Dr. Keith was personally interested. He felt that students' were being encouraged by Dr. Keith to participate in forenslcs at the expense of their regular work and class attendance, that his own teaching was being made to suffer as the result of tho attention which he was compelled to devote to this activity, and that the work of the department as a whole was thereby being impaired. In this connection Dr. Keith is quoted as having said, j "In my department history is the handmaid to forensics." When this teacher spoke to President Phelps about tho matter, he was assured by the President that his assistance with the extracurricular work in forensics was optional and not a part of the work for which he had been engaged. Later, however, he was summoned from class by President Phelps end told that, because of specific written charges filed against him by Dr. Keith, ho should cither submit his resignation by the next morning or accept dismissal. He was not, however, permitted to see the charges mado against him by Dr. Keith. Tho teacher elected to resign rather than be dismissed. Dr. Harris spoke openly against the injustice of this forced resignation. It is relevant to note that Dr. Keith was the only one who was willing to I am glad to state, too, that my perald and Dr. Harris on tho grounds assigned by President Phelps. In the opinion of Dr. Harris it was due largely to the Influence of Dr. Keith that President Phelps came to look upon her with disfavor. * Dr. Harris feels that to a lesser extent her disfavor with President Phelpir was due to the fact that she made him uncomfortable by interviewing him In the matter of his refusal to give her the promised promotion. It is probable that President Phelps felt that Dr. Harris' attitude was criticaJ of his administration. Her alleged violation of the By-Law furnished soon thereafter a convenient reason for her dismissal. One of the persons interviewed challenged the Committee to Investigate Dr. Harris* earlier record. While this could hare no direct bearing on ber dismissal from the faculty of Winthrop College and was, therefore, an Irrelevancy, the Committee felt that some persons would not be satisfied that the Investigation was complete or Impartial unless this were done. The Committee, therefore, made a careful inquiry hrtn the facts of Dr. Harris' career before she became a member of the faculty^ of WInthrop College. Dean J. R. Counties, Acting President of Grenada College, on February 23. 1934, wrote of Dr. Harris as follows: "I consider her one of the best teachers I have known in my'twentyfive years' experience in college administration. She is sound and thorough in scholarship, popular with the students and her associates Itt the faculty and loyal to the administration, even to the point of sacrifice. Miss Harris is a young woman of culture and refinement, a lady In every sense of the word. She is a strong personality, genial and genuine, with decided convictions and plenty of courage to maintain them, yet with sufficient modesty and honor to feel that ft would be cheating to oversell herself ..." * On April 28, lil7. President Wiley Lin Hurle of the College of the Oxarks concluded a letter to Dr. Harris with an expression of appreciation for her "attitude** and "fine work." Later, when she resigned to accept her appointment at WInthrop College, he wrote: 4. ' ' ' ' " While 1 regret very much to lose you. I tun but wish you success and thank vou (or the ftno service you have rendered us during the three years yon have beeu a member of our faculty. The loyal support you have given me la very much appreciated." Aattaln ou September 4, 11137. 1'resl- i dent Hurle wrote to her: "We are going to miss you greatly i here 1 hear a great many students and others say that and compliment you very highly on your touching i ability." To the Chairman of the Investigating Committee. President Hurle wrote I ou December 20, 1941, as follows: "Miss Harris Is a brilliant person and an excellent teacher ... 1 think she is one of the most stimulating < teachers we have had on our faculty. < 1 am glad to sate, too, that my personal relations as president . . . with Miss Harris were always pleasant. S believed In her as a teacher, and I think she believed In me as an administrator." President Hurle states that he had heard Dr. Harris described as a "bit critical of others" and also rather ready to express to her classes disagreement with "certain addresses or certain policies-" This Is the only adverse criticism of Dr. Harris earlioi career which the Committee has been able to discover. It was not taken seriously by President Hurle. who states: 'I never paid much attention to thlH. for in our College we grant our professors and instructors as complete liberty as possible." It will be noted that both President Hurle and Dean Counties testify to Dr. Harris.' loyalty and cooperation. It Is pertinent to note Dean Mowat G Fraser's estimate of Dr. Harris' worth to Wlnthrop College. In the fall of 1940 he wrote the following letter to several teachers' agencies, and gave a copy to Dr. Harris. Tho letter reads as follows: "Miss Elizabeth Dee Harris is one of our ablest faculty members. She Is one of those select few among college teachers who are excellent and original In scholarship, Industrious and conBcleptlous to a fault, and In love with teaching. She appeals highly to our best students as well as to all others. Furthermore, Miss Harris Is pleasing In personality and appearance. has a keen sense of humor, cooperates to the limit, and has (an all-round culture)?notably In music, for she Is an accomplished organist. I hope we are able to hold her here Indefinitely. "If there is axiy further information which I can supply you. I shall bo glad to send It." If there were any shortcomings or Dr. Harris which were significant, they should have been brought directly to her attention long before the end of her fourth year as a member of the faculty of Winlhrop College rather than belatedly as an unofficially avowed Justification of a fait accompli. Furthermore, under no circumstances could they Justify Dr. Harris' dismissal without adequate notice and without a hearing. The j Committee finds that the dismissal ^ of Dr. Harris was unjustifiable accord-1 ing to all principles of reputable aca-[ demic practice. (Dr. Harris became a member of the faculty of Southern Illinois Normal University in September. 1941). Although the details in the cases of Drs. Macdonald and Harris provide | a sufficient commentary on general I tenure conditions and faculty-administration relations at Wlnthrop College, additional data are available. The dismissals Investigated were only two out of several during recent years which have caused great disquietude among the members of the faculty. vThe Committee can testify from its own experience that the situation at Wlnthrop College Is tense.' From several sources within the faculty came expressions of doubt that anyone would be bold enough to talk to the Committee when it arrived. This I prediction was not entirely accurate, but it led the Committee to send a questionnaire to the members of the faculty before its visit to Hock Hill. Many of the replies to the questionnaire were brought to the Committee at night. Only a small proportion of the replies was transmitted by mall. Faculty members expressed distrust at the College post office. Softie indicated that they had not submitted their Answers previously lest they be made available to the College authorities. A few recent appointees professed Ignorance of conditions of tenure at the College. Otherwise, only a small minority testified that they thought that tenure at the College was reasonably safe. The great majority testified that they felt no assurance that academic tenure was respected by the administration. Two members of the faculty who answered the questionnaire stated that they folly expected to be dismissed at the end of the year. One of these declined to be interviewed because he said he didn't want to be ''fired" before the end of the year. Others declined to be interviewed because they thought It dangerous, and a considerable proportion stated that they thought themselves endangered even by answering the questionnaire. One teacher told the Committee that unless the present Investigation produced decisive results hi* own position would be completely lost. Another teacher, characterized by other members of the faculty as well, fitted to comment fairly on the Issues Involved In the Investigation, refused to meet with the Committee because of the risk. Except for those who spoke favorably of the administration, practically all witnesses seemed to prefer not to be seen by other witnesses. Many witnesses were nervous and frightened In their manner of testifying and highly emotional In their attitude toward the issues under discussion. Dr. Keith was one of the few who testified that there was no real basis for the feeling of disquietude on the part of the faculty. He told the Committer that this whole situation was "mostly talk?a lot of women getting together, talking all the time, and exasarailng." This sttll leaves unexplained why they talked and what they talked about?the answer being | in both cases the precarious state of ____ 4 academic tenure at Winthrop College Moreover, the evidence men talked, too. on the same subjects and in the same velu.v. ^ The unrest among the faeuly communicated Uaidf id the alumnae at lea til two years ago. The Committee has sought to interview no alumnae and no student*, except in two or three cast s by correspondence in reference to specific points tn which lhey were cited by others as competent witnesses. l>ut some or the alumnae have communicated with the Committee in reference to the situation i The Committee has refrained from advising them for the reason that by doing so It would exceed its functions which are primarily factfinding and might seem to confirm the charge which has been made and circulated by some persons connected with Winthrop College that the American Association of University 1 rofesBora ?wkn to interfere in local affairs. Before the investigating Committee was appointed, however, the alumnae had already presented a petition to the Legislature of South Carolina requesting that they be permitted to nominate two members or the Board of Trustees of the College. Since the Committee's visit to Hock Hill there have been several meetings of the Alumnae Association in reference to faoulty-admlnlatration relations at the College. - The Alumnae Association has requested the Board of Trustees to review the casee or Drs. Macdonald and Harris. The students of Winthrop College have not been unaffected by the administrative behavior and tendencies described in this report. To the extent that thia situation has affected teaching and research adversely, every student haA been injured. There is other evidence in reference to student welfare which should be noted. In the Bprlng of 1941 the administration of the College imposed a grade curve. President Phelps is reported as having stated that this curve was necessary in order to reduce the number of student failure, particularly in the freshman and sophomore years. He is quoted as having told the faculty that student failures represented losses which no business firm would tolerate. Three or tour members of the faculty testified that administrative officers had previously requested them to raise grades in order that certain students might graduate or acquire credits to be transferred to other institutions. A teacher who states that his resignation had been forced by Dr. Keith testified tha\Dr. Keith had Imposed constant pressure on him in the matter of student | grades. One or two teachers admitt-1 ed raising grades under administra-1 tive pressure. Such administrative pressure continued after the establishment of the grade curve T he English Department whose grades did not fit the curve was ordered to raise its grades but refused to do so. Some of the students became/alarmed about the situation and a delegation of them interviewed President Phelps about the grade curve and its meaning. Shortly thereafter the curve was abandoned. In he fall of 1941 when the dismissals of Drs. Macdonald and Harris became known, student unrest increased. Both of thede teachers received numerous letters from Students expressing the belief that their dismissals were unjust. During the summer Dr. Harris wrote to one of her former students explaining that she had not resigned, as she supposed her students would bo permitted to believe. but diad been dismissed. This le-'er and possibly two Inter ones, wire shown to other students in the fall. Someone made a surreptitious copy and gave it either to President Phelps or to the Deau of Women. The student to whom the letter was addressed was summoned by President Phelps, questioned as to possible faculty involvement In her actions and given'an option of making a public apology or being expelled. Upon the advice of her parents to "do what she thought was right." she refused to apologize. President Phelps, on his return after an absence from the College, . dismissed the matter with the statement that hhth sides had made a mistake. While the matter of this student a expulsion was in abeyance, the Junior and senior classes were in a state almost of intmrrocttori. Prestdent Phelps was said to have threatened to expel the whole Junior class, and the whole Junior class was said to be threatening to leave. A cartoon ofj President Phelps as Hitler was exhibited In a public place. Some time afterwards, following an alumnae meeting In December, 1941. to consider the troubles at Winthrop College, a group of five students wrote a letter to a Journalist commending him for this exposure of "Injustice" and protesting that, although Winthrop College was a good institution, it was being unjustly administered. Most of these events occurred before the Committee's visit to Rock Hill. As already indicated, the Com-i mittee refrained from Interviewing students, buf, having received reports from many of the witnesses ' Interviewed. it believes the foregoing account to be substantially correct.; Apologists for Dr. Harris' dismissal accuse her of deliberately stirring up the students and seek to Justify her dismissal on this ground. .The Committee considers that this episode has no relevancy to an event which preceded It by several months, hut because it has been challenged to read Dr. Harris' letters to the student referred to above. It has done so, and it hereby reports that, although they contain some expressions of tndlgnatlctfh they also advise the recipient not to worry or to become embittered and to do nothing that will endanger her scholarship. * There is perhaps some room for difference of opinion as to the propriety of writing these letters, but, if so, the decision in no way affects the Justice or the injustice of Dr. Harris' dismissal. Nevertheless, the Committee expresses the opVition that, under the circumstances?' Or. Harris could scarcely be expected to exercise greater solicitude for the feelings of those who had unjustly dismissed her, and had thereby jeopardized her professional future, than for her own professional And personal reputation among her former students. The Committee believes from all the evidence in this case that the Kvooi'ul situation iin regards faculty* administration relations nnd academic tenure ai Wlnthroy College in in almost every respect deplorable, that reasonable security of tenure does uot exist and Is scarcely even understood by the governing authorities or by the faculty The' Commlttoo believes that relations between th& administration, the Trustees, and department heads on the one hand and tho faculty, the students, and the alumnae on the other are wholly undesirable and are steadily growing worse. The situation as It has developed at Wlnthrop College Is almost inevitable In the absence of recognlxed standards governing academic tenure and faculty-administration relations. A teacher's awareness that he may be dismissed at any time without a bearing has a profound effect on his professional behavior. He may rehoIvo to shy or do nothing on any occasion that would tend to draw attention to himself. He may attempt to escape risk by becoming too small to be noticed or he may seek to ally himself with those who are strong enough to protect him and may use this alliance either for his own protection or for the oppression of others. Nonentities, sycophants, petty tyrants, and Intriguers are the products of such an environment. Teachers find frankness and even honesty difficult when their professional reputations and means of support are subject to arbitrary annihilation. Unless Individual members of a faculty can function with self-respect, the Institution of which they are a part Is endangered from the start; Ono basis for self-respect is found In reasonable provisions for tenure security. Those do not prevail at Wlnthrop College. It Is also essential to the welfare of an educational Institution that the faculty have self-respect as a faculty. At a Well-admlnlstered college or university the faculty has powers definitely provided In the charter. These powers are generally exercised either in full faculty meetings or by committees responsible to the general fiu;ulty. In some Institutions the faculty may hold its power subject to presidential veto, but, even so, It ?t least functions ae a responsible collective body of professionally experienced persons. It can state its opinion as Us opinions and preserve educational honesty even If Its actions are vetoed. Futile as any single faculty meeting may sometimes appear, such meetings are nevertheless Indispensable safeguards against autocratic educational administration. The wise college or university president will seek the counsel of the faculty. The evidence In the present situation at Wlnthrop College mak.es It Clear that Prosident Phelps aud his administrative advisers have not sought faculty opinion in the determination of policy for the College. His administration has been characterized by dictatorial attitude and autocratic methods. It Is to bo hoped that the Board of Trustees of Wlnthrop College will concern itself with the situation doBcrlbfd in this report. William M. Hepburn Newman I. White, Chairman. Approved for publication by Committee A on Academic Freedom and Tenure. B. C. Klrkland, Chairman. The personnel of Committee A on Academic Freedom and Tenure Is as follows: William K. Brltton, University of Illlnc.s; Klllott E. Cheatham, Columbia University; A. C. Colo, Western Reserve University; Thomas I). -Cope, University of Pennsylvania; Thomas F. Green, Jr., Associate Secrotary; William M. Hepburn, University of Alabama; Ralph E. Mlmstead, (ieneral Secretary; W. I). Hooper, University of Georgia; A. M. Kldd, University of ( California; K. C. Kirkand, Bowdoln College, Chairman; H. C. I tineas tor, Johns Hopkins University; W. T. Lnprade, Duke University; A. O. Ivovejoy, Johns Hopkins Unlvorslty; J. M. Maguire. Harvard University; S. A. Mitchell, University of Virginia; F. M. Padelford, University of Washington; D. R. Scott, University of Missouri; John Q. Stewart, Princeton University; R. C. Tolman, California Institute of Technology; Laura A. White, University of WyomIhg; and Qulney Wright, University of Chicago. FORGET TABLE MANNERS. 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