The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-06-04

JNOIlO III C1IOlI OuIlCGlll 1OOOCQ
1t is based on an intensive
investigation made by Profess
sors w. E. Britton of the Uni
versity of Illinois and Fred C.
Koch of the University Of
Chicago.
Shown the report in advance of
publication, DR.. Oman sought to
write a defense. This was denied,
but he was requested to point out
any misstatements of facts and
failed to do so, according to w. w.
Cook, of the editorial committee,
who made the bulletin public today.
Dismissal Unwarranted'
Investigation was launched speci-
fically after dismissal by DR.. Oman
of Professor Ralph w. Hufferd of the
chemistry department. He was GUST
ed in June, 1881, after being with
the university since 1920. The in
vestigatorS found his dismissal UNI
warranted.
They also found that professors
who failed to follow DR.. Oman
usually were given a sabbatical year
and then dismissed. Some were dis
missed at once.
Trustees and the board of WIS.,
itors" are completely under DR.. Ok
MANS domination and the more
democratic faculty control of the
past has been abolished. they also
assert.
That DR.. Oman isn't especially
equipped for his job from an educa-
tlonal standpoint is cited at the
very beginning of the long report
as follows:
Complaints Started Early
In 1928, the Rev. G. Bromley OK
nam became president of De PAW
university, Greencastle. Ind. He was
vigorous young man of 81, or
GAINED in the Methodist Episcopal
church In 1916, who had acted as a
pastor for one year, and been for
the period of 1927 secretary of
the Los Angeles missionary and
church extension society.
His earlier academic experience
apparently was limited to service as
professor of social ethics in the Uni
verSity of Southern California for
the years 1928 and one year of
teaching practical theology in the
Boston university school of the
ology."
Shortly after DR.. Oman became
president of De PAW, complaints
began coming to the association re-
garding dismiSSals of professors and
the matter was brought to a head by
Professor Hufferd's case.
The general effect of Professor
HuIferd's dismissal can be appreci-
ated only by considering the broader
situation of which it is an item"
the report continued From the
time OF President Oxnam's induc-
ton in 1928 to the beginning of i
1884, there have been IA different !
persons on the De Paw faculty.
OF these, three have died, and sixty
have resigned, failed of reappoint-
ment, or been dismissed. The COM
mlttee found that twenty-Six of the
sixty were in the PROFESSIONAL grades
and that, besides Professor Hufferd.
five of the twenty-nine have been
dismissed, formally or in substance"
Setup Is Outlined
How the whole setup of the insti-
tuition was reorganized to give DR..
Oman complete control is then
outlined and the following comment
made:
Thus academic tenure at De
Paw has come to mean annual
appointment, dependent for renewal
upon the action of the president
alone after such investigation as he
may decide to make and, of course,
upon reasons deemed sufficient by
him"
And then:
In view of the method actually
employed, it is not surprising that
the investigators found the morale
of the institution profoundly shaken.
They do not pass on the merits of
the new administrative machinery.
Certainly simplicity, directness,
celebrity and economy are now par
ticularly vital in the management
of educational institutions. But
men as well as means must be con-
Sidered, and it is the investigators
opinion that neither President
Oman nor Dean Blanchard of the
college of liberal arts is by general
attitude, temperament. or training,
especially qualified to deal wisely
with the manifold responsibilities
of his present position
Motor tuned up. Carburetor adjusted.