Norwich bulletin., 1917-03-15
PRESIDENT SYKES IS
 ASKED TO RESIGN.
Much Friction and Bad Feeling Among
 Officials During Past Year.


 President F. H. Sykes of the cen- asked to resign by the board of trus- tees. This action was taken ses eraI months ago by a nearly unanimous trustees. At a subsequent meeting of the board an attempt to reopen the matter was defeated.
 President Sykes thus far has declined to comply with the request of the trus- tees and may decide to contest the &C., ton of the board
 Rumors of friction between the pres ident of the Connecticut College for Women and the trustees have been prevalent for a long time. About year ago the matter of asking him to resign was brought up by members of the board of trustees, but 1t wa5 de- cided to defer such action.
 There is no complaint by the trus- tees of Professor Sykes work as an educator. Indeed. his high standing in that particular is admitted. Bur the board alleges lack of tact, impractica- bility and extravagance on his pert in the management of the institution.
 During the erection of the college buildings and during the first year of was given practically full charge. His management was not deemed satlsfac- tory by the trustees. The latter claim they had to settle seven eight
 
 various contractors over the settlement Of their bills which President Sykes had held up on account of technicaH- ties.
 to circumscribe the presidents author ity. Irritation between the board of trustees and the president then arose and constantly increased. The latter out his ideas and policies and his per sistency and lack of adaptahility to the trustees wishes led to wider and wider breach.
 The trustees finally delegated their bower to an executive committee con sisting of Frank V. Chappell, William H. Reeves and Mayor Rogers of New London, with power to undertake ths business management of the instItu- tion- Thie committee has not been able to get along with the president and the president has not been able to get along, with the committee.
 So thoroughly did this friction final ly permeate the board of trustees that it became the practice to hold board meetings at which the presi lent was not invited. At last the executive munications which he sent to it's CT air man.
 Over a year ago Morton F. Plant. through whose iberality the wolnen's college was made possible. resigned from the board of trustees and, it is stated. declined to have any further active connection with the college so long as President Sykes remained at it's head. MT. Plants resignation was never accepted. It is said other mem bers of the board have also threatened to resign.
 The vote passed by the trustees was drawn. it is reported, by ex-Governor Baldwin, who Is member, and is so worded that unless President Sykes resignation is forthcoming his incum- bency will cease at the end of the present academic year.
 It is alleged that President Sykes will make statement to the public through the press of his side of the situation. No matter how strong case he puts up. it is quite apparent the trustees will adhere in their de- termination to find successor to him
 It is believed President Sykes will claim that the executive committee has been guilty of dilatoriness and in- competency and that he has heen direction of the institution. Also that he has been refused oppertunfty to plead his own case before the board and that his recoEnmendatiens and communications to the executive com nnittee have been unheeded and often ignored. That there is a personal anil mus behind the movement to remove him from office will also. it is. believed be one of his charges.
 When President Sykes was asked to give in his resignation he laid the mat ter before the faculty of the college and it is understood that the members all signed an agreement to resign in a body if President Sykes was removed. Since then Professor Osburn has re- signed to accept another position. and 1t is stated other members of the fac ulty have changed their point of view.
 That the situation is unfortunate for the Connecticut College for Women cannot be 8ainsaid. Unless speedy set tlenent of the matter Is made and a new college head .secured the growth cafional factor may be seriously check ed. It's progress has been so marked and applications for admission con- tinae so great, however, that the board Of trustees feel no permanent harm will result from a change in it's chief oGIlciaI.
 If the trustees have made any effort to find a successor to President SyIkes they are not ready to make the result |