The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-10-31
Juniors Gather at Campus
Club to Take Vote
on Dismissal.
PUTNAM ACTING CHIEF
President Refuses to Quit
Post, Chooses to Be
Forced Out.


the educational status of
Butler university, more than
200 students of the junior
class met today at the Campus
Club to voice disapproval of
the summary dismissal yes
terday of President Walter S.
Athearn by the university
board of directors.
The meeting was called h. Fred
Clifton, junior class president, and
addressed by Dean j. w. Putnam,
acting president, in an efforo TO
quiet rumOrs that Butler might lose
its standing in the North Central
Association of Colleges and Second
cry Schools because of DR.. Athearns
dismissal.
There have been repeated ru-
mors that Butler might be declared
ineligible and there is a strong feel
ing among the students that DR..
Athearn has been let out unfairly,
Mr.. Clifton told Dean Putnam.
For that reason, we want you to
consider whatever resolution might
be made by The class
Nothing to Fear Is Claim.
There is nothing to fear imme-
diately on the matter of credits"
Dean Putnam tod the students.
There is nothing to be done about
DR.. Athearns status. You and 1
don't know anything about what in
ternal trouble may have been going
On in the university, but 1 do not
believe there is anything to fear
Immediately as to the North Gen.
raj eligibility.
If there is to be a resolution OF
appreciation for Dr. Athearn's work,
/ thln1 that would be a nice thing"
A student in the rear Of the crowd
interrupted to ask Dean Putnam:
Isn't it true that in 1890, the reg
iStration here dropped one third be-
cause of Buffers ineligibility for the
North Central?"
Questions Are Fired
Dean Putnam explained that he
did not believe that the decrease in
enrolment was due entirely to that
factor and limited that jealousy
among other Indiana colleges as
we'll as the depression was re-
sponsible.
Isn't it true, Dean Putnam?"
continued the student, that there
is a clause in the north central by
laws that provides when the board
OF directors tries to dictate the
policies CT a school, the school auto
ma-icaliy is Gropped?"
Dean putnam said he did not re-
call such a clause in the North Gen.
trail bylaws.
TTdISe AtnedrnS WORK
At the close of the meeting, a
resolution demanding an explana-
ton from the board of trustees as
to reasons hack Of the Athearn dis
nissal was turned down. Another
resolution expressing appreciation of
Dr.. Athcarn'S work was adopted.
DR.. Athearn's dismissal came sud-
denly, but not entirely unheralded.
For several months, it was learned
on the campus, rumors have been
current that friction existed between
the university president and the
board.
Faced with the alternative of re-
signing or being dismissed with only
TWO days notice, DR.. Athearn chose
to accept dismissal.
In a letter bitterly denouncing the
action Of the board of directors and
adressed to that group DR.. Athearn
charged that the university is domi-
mated by a financial, political and
non-educational group centered in
TIE downtown Office of the univer-
sity."
President in Name Only
He charged that he was the VIC
tim of dual administration which
makes me president in name only"
Following notice of DR.. Athearn's
dismissal. the board of directors
immediately appointed Dean James
W. Putnam to serve as acting presi-
dent.
DIR. Putnam" it was announced
BY Hilton U. Brown, president Of
he board of directors, may con-
.inue as acting president through
tut the rest Of the academic year,
IS no permanent successor to DR..
Athearn has yet been considered"
In his letter to the board yester-
lay. Dr. Athearn reviewed his
as president of the
for two years, declined to
resign and accepted his discharge
without a hearing" in the hope
hat at some future time 1 may
earn the reason for this unusual
DR.. Athearn revealed that he was
employed on a year-to-year con-
.ract which does not expire until the
md of the academic year.
In a statement regarding the dis
nisSal Of DR.. Athearn, Mr.. johnson
If the board of directors said:
The board of directors has ac-
cepted Severance of relations with
DR.. Athearn without bitterness, at