University of Virginia Library

COMPLAINTS AGAINST PRESIDENT MORGAN L. COMBS

The Rector reported to the Board that complaints had been made by certain student waitresses
regarding their treatment by Dr. Combs and that these complaints had been supplemented by statements
made by Miss Ann Lewis Payne, President of the Student Council of the school, in which she
complained of the low morale of the students, due to the dictatorial attitude of Dr. Combs, the
complete abolition of student government and the suppression of a free expression of opinion,
and the general dissatisfaction of the students.

Mrs. Hester Jacobus, one of the dormitory hostesses, likewise complained of her treatment
by Dr. Combs. The complaints contained statements that Dr. Combs periodically was subject to
bursts of temper in which he said and did things not consistent nor proper for one in his
position of dignity. The Rector stated that those who complained seemed firm in their belief
that these incidents and the present crisis were merely the culmination of a long series of similar
incidents. The Rector further reported that certain faculty members had, at his request, appeared
before the Mary Washington Committee. He summarized to the Board the statements of these faculty
members

Mrs. Wailes supplemented what the Rector had said, relating actual incidents as told to her
and to the Mary Washington Committee, of which she is Chairman. She stated that the Mary Washington
Committee - the Rector presiding - had met for the purpose of inquiring into certain complaints
that had been made concerning conditions at Mary Washington College. If substance was found
to the charges, the matter would be reported to the Board, otherwise it would be dropped.
However, on the basis of information received during the inquiry and through letters,
the Committee felt that the Board should be apprized of the situation existing there.
The members of the Board then discussed at great length the entire situation

In view of the fact that no opportunity to explain the matters concerned in the
complaints had been afforded to Dr. Combs, a resolution was passed directing the Rector to
write to Dr. Combs a summary of the complaints, and to request his appearance before
the Board at Charlottesville on December 22nd, at 10:00 a.m. This resolution was adopted by
a 13-0 vote. Mr. Gay, who had offered an earlier motion to suspend President Combs'
administrative responsibilities pending further proceedings, refrained from voting on the
ground that the welfare of the College required more immediate action. Mr. Black was cautioned
to put in his letter to Dr. Combs a request that none of the persons who had made complaints, or
who had appeared before the Board or the Board's Committee, or

who had given statements to the Board or its Committee, should be in any way punished or their
status changed.

There followed a discussion of the procedure, and the view was offered by some of the members
that Dr. Combs was an ill man, and that some of his difficulties in the administration of Mary
Washington College might be due to his ill health. Others expressed the opinion that there had
been indications over a considerable period of time of Dr. Combs' exercising authority in an
arbitrary manner. Several of the members of the Board volunteered the statement that Dr. Combs
had given twenty-five years of his life to the building up of Mary Washington and that great
credit was due him for the present fine physical condition of the college buildings and grounds
The President was asked to call on Dr. Combs and to ascertain his attitude. President Darden
stated that if Dr. Combs should desire to retire on account of ill health, he did not believe
that a pension could be provided for him, and in order for him to have any appreciable income
he would have to occupy a position and render a service to Mary Washington College. It was
the general consensus that if the complaints made were true that Dr. Combs' connection with
the administration of the College should be severed, and whatever position were offered him
should have no relation to administrative duties, and he should be requested to take no part
in administrative duties. In fact, the consensus was that if he did take part in administrative
duties, despite the request from the Board, that his entire connection with the College should
then be severed

President Darden, emphasizing the value of Dr. Combs' past accomplishments, and his own
and others' respect for Dr. Combs' special abilities urged that Dr. Combs be retained at the
College in an advisory capactiy even if relief from administrative duties should become
necessary

The matter was discussed in great detail, but with the thought that if the complaints were
proven, the Board should take the firmest of action to protect the interests both of the faculty
of Mary Washington and of the students.

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On motion, the meeting was then adjourned.