The Co-operative news. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1917-1918, 1917-11-22
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
FOR FREE SPEECH
Student and Faculty Revolt Against
Rcactionary Trustees
By Carl Bcals, AIummus


fessors dismissed because of their
independent attitude upon social
questions. Professor Nearing was
dismissed from Pennsylvania not so
long age because he campaigned the
state against child labor, and his
dismissal resulted in signal re
form of the administration of the
university through which self-govern-
ment was given to the faculty. But
this was probably the result of the
adverse criticism against the actions
of the trustees which agtated the
whole country rather than he result
of action taken form within the uni
versity itself.
The significant thing about the
Columbia situation, however, is the
revolt of faculty members and stu
dents themselves. Professor Beard,
one of the ablest men in the univer-
sity, probably the most popular of all
among students and faculty, has re-
signed his position, refusing to be
affiliated with an institution dom
mated by body of trustees, "hav-
I ing no standing in the world of edu-
cation, reactionary and visionless in
politics, narrow minded and medieval
in religion" The students and a
large number of the faculty have
fallen solidly into line behind his de-
mand that these men "give over
their repressive methods and grant
free speech and academic independ-
ence."
The Revolt Spreads
AS q result q wave Of revolt has
swept the campus. Students and
faculty have rallied to the backing
Of Professor Beard. During the
past week the following incidents
have ruffled the calm of the halls
of learning:
% The faculty of political sci
ence met behind closed doors and
for three hours debated the question
of academic freedom, and the ma
jority of those present pledged sup
port to DR.. Beard.
(2) Impromptu mass meetings
harangued by the leaders among the
students have sprung up at various
times and places upon the campus,
one of them being held upon the
library steps in front of President
Buffers office. president Butler is
standing in with the trustees.)
90 Every class has appointed
committees to take charge of the
agitation in support of DR.. Beard.
Students Hold Mass Meeting
(Q A huge all-university meet
ing packed the gymnasium to pro-
test against the action of the trus-
tees.
90 At mass meeting of the
Barnard College students-Barnard
College is the women's undergrad
uate college-resolutions were pass
ed demanding that the trustees re-
linquish their absolute control of
the intellectual life and policy of the
University.
co. A general faculty meeting
was scheduled for Monday at which
the matter was to be discussed.
CD The opposing statements were
issued by President Butler, to the
effect that he would stand by the
trustees; by Professor Beard, that
he had documentary evidence to
prove that the trustees have by
courses and bludgeons" attempted
to coerce members of the foculty;
by Professor Cattell, who denounced
the trustees for hiding behind the
flag to assassinate"
Academic Freedom the Issue
These trivial incidents have deep
significance. American universities
have never been famous for indie
pclucilCc, Iney nave HeNcT Decii iIH-
bued, and particularly in recent
years, with any bold spirit of in
tellectual adventure, any unflinching
devotion, either by students or fac
ulty to an unpopular cause. The
reason has not been far to seek
economic determinism in word. The
control of faculty appointments, has,
until the last year or so, been in
the hands of trustees invariably
picked from wealthy and ambitious
men, men without any aim in life
| but the accumulation of money, hav-
ing little in common with the ideals
of scholarship, the very men who
have had strangle hold on politics,
on the church., on industry, and who
have by every possible means of
publicity, and intimidation baked
one by one the measures of social
reform born of the tears and sorrows
of an unjust economic oppression.
The action of the students and fac
ulty in opposing such group of re-
dictionary trustees has marked the
rise of a new University spirit, UNI