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Show - . ' - - I f. . ,,-t x t t :. t ; ; I v i . . i . ' X V . f T" V ' X 1 ' X X A r ' " ) I ! ' Si , x1 1 tx i V' i Institutional Council's action not to terminate Victor Gordon's contract as an associate instructor in the Department Depart-ment of English was a wise one. We feel that had Gordon been fired because of the undisclosed "personal reasons" not connected with his behavior or ability to teach the black literature course it would have been a defeating blow to the University. If the Council had terminated the contract, it would have demonstrated that image is more important than ability and that the University is more concerned with the feelings of the legislature and community than with the type and quality of education the school provides. Mi dations in the spirit of not rescuing a man but instead of upholding the purpose and freedom of a University. We agree with the Council that the Department of English should have passed on the information in question to the President. We hope that this material, had it been known in the beginning by the President, would not have affected the hiring of Mr. Gordon. But the failure to report such information when the possibilities of its discovery would discredit the President and the integrity of Mr. Gordon is unpardonable. It is also an oversight on the part of the University that such a case as Mr. Gordon's had to be presented before clear ' ! '""- I i 't h w ;r V )Al ! hi M h (if III m - I , f- f K. - f ', 5' - -V It would have set a dangerous precedent of dismissing a professor, administrator or student from the University because of past actions, mistakes or life styles. It would have demonstrated that the community does have supreme control over this school and that the idea of academic freedom rights of free speech and action within the points of law are not valid at the University. The work of the Acadmic Freedom and Tenure Committee deserves credit and praise for realizing the important and significant questions raised in the dismissal of Mr Gordon The heard the case objectively, presented their recommen- and specific regulations could be established as to iursld'ct'C"c of faculty committees and clarifications of various acaa ranks and appointments. We hope that the Umversl,,oW take immediate action to establish clear guidelines to t The University has made steps forward because incident. It has acted as a rational institution and upne belief inherent in the success of this institution tna given the opportunity will make the right decia ons. committee, Institutional Council and President Hetc to be congratulated for their keeping Mr. Gordon classroom. |