University of Virginia Library

Letters To The Editor

Reader Calls Resignation Story 'Ludicrous'

I doubt that The Cavalier Daily has come
up with anything more ludicrous this year
than the "sensational" story May 6 about
the resignation of Messrs. Ross and England.
In a vain attempt to dredge up something
shocking, all The Cavalier Daily could do
was to point to the support of both men for
"a larger student voice" in University
affairs, and the opposition of Mr. Ross to
the Vietnam War and to the ABM. We are to
infer, of course, that these are the reasons
both men were pressured to leave.

Ridiculous, I am as willing as the next
student to believe that the University is
firing dissidents right and left, but you're
going to have to give me a lot more evidence
than that story. I fail to find any way in
which each man's associations can be even
remotely traced to University pressure to
resign. Certainly The Cavalier Daily can
come up with a better connection than
simply: "Both men supported an active
student role in faculty and administrative
affairs. Both were pressured to resign."

If The Cavalier Daily does decide to
substantiate the implications of the story, I
would suggest that Mr. Ross might have the
stronger case. Twelve hours of classes is
indeed a great deal for one finishing his
dissertation; the University should be able
to retain, with a reasonable schedule, a man
who will finish his dissertation next year.

I find Mr. England's complaints groundless.
"If my case becomes a trend, it will
destroy the University" - have you ever
heard anything so pretentious? I would
expect more from a teacher in the
University.

I would like to make a personal appeal to
the Administration of this University
regarding the treatment of Messrs England
and Ross. Many faculty members here have
supported the slaughter in Vietnam without
suppression. I find it difficult to understand,
therefore, why any university worthy of the
name can attempt to suppress the few
faculty members who are involved in
positive, non-violent and humane activities.
The Governor of this state has stated that
students should keep out of social issues;
now faculty are given the same debilitating
treatment. Perhaps a social conscience is
incompatible with the Administration's
concept of a teacher. If this is true, then this
is not a University.

"For here we are not afraid to follow
truth wherever it may lead...." - T.
Jefferson

The recent resignations of two prominent
professors calls into serious question
this University's commitment to the ideal
echoed above. In both cases grave doubts
are cast on various members of the
University community with regard to their
belief in full academic freedom.

The seriousness of this issue cannot be
overestimated. Mr. England pulls no
punches when he states "if my case becomes
a trend, it will destroy the University." And,
indeed, it will. Academic communities have
always held and cherished a deep-seeded
belief in free inquiry and non-interference.
of others' political views; an atmosphere, in
fact, where rational dissent is welcomed
One seriously questions, in light of recent
developments, whether such an atmosphere
exists at Virginia.

The students and faculty of this
University have a responsibility to themselves
and to the ideals they have so often
espoused. That responsibility impels them
to strongly condemn the practices which
have resulted in these resignations and to
take immediate steps to insure against any
reoccurrence of such unfortunate circumstances.
For it is the students and faculty
which are threatened by the present
situation; it is they who have the most to
lose.