Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1951-12-21
IN Dec IL

btA wv ~.
Mulford Y. Siblcy. associate
professor uf political science
wrote letter To McDaIrmid Ia be-
nalf VI wiEgins dated Dec. ).
which stated:
The sole problem II seems 10
me II one Of competence and OF
that u mans own department
should b. the paramount judge.
ihe department Ii the entity best
20 assess ability a. q schoIor ana
teacher"
Three students from the uni
versity appeared before the re-.
gents last Friday TO protest the
dismissal OF Virgins.
Each student made a brief talk
in behalf Of Virgins. RegRn
Bracket, graduate student, said
that because this 10 final week the
University Daily In not being pub
lished. thus depriving the students
from being able TO let their side OF
the controversy being heard.
Dave HerreShoff. graduate stu
dent. said that he represented
petitioners who are asking for re-.
consideration of the matter and
retention OF Virgins on the fac.
ulty.
Rosemary Mamie, senior. said
that she wishes for a delay In the
regents decision 10 allow for a
fuller expression and opinion from
both students and the public to
reach the public.
Last Saturday about $50 stu.
dents met at the Coffman Memoir.
ial Union To protest the dismissal
of Virgins. and formed an Oft
campus organization with a three
point program.
I. To defend academic free
dom.
2. To support the autonomy
Of the various departments At
the university, with emphasis on
the right Of zach department 20
judge the competence Of lie own
members.
3. To fight for DF. WlEgin's
retention on the staff
The meeting was called by the
THU. University Unitarian Uni.
versalists and extended Invitations
to all other campus groups, The
students attended an individuals
but most were mambers Of other
campus organizations.
A committee Of ~ elected %
carry on the organiZatiOnal work.
DR.. Paul l. Homer. RasOciate
professor Of philosophy. stated on
behalf Of the philosophy depart
ment, that II continues 10 be- uni
ted In its support Of DR. Wiggins.
sibley said that ~ always In
cases like these, the Administra-
ton always makes certain that u
IL on safe, legal grounds and that
legally there was nothing the
group could do % prevent Wiggins
dismissal
sibIey said that protests must
be based On moral principles,
principally the violation Of the
departments autonomy
He said that while the admin.
stratiOn didn't raise the question.
Il is pertinent at 20 whether or
not " Virgins would have been
terminated " his political views
had beensOrthOdOK
This case shows that the stu
dents and the faculty both should
have a vplcs on the board Of re-
gents. he declared.
y ~ IbHifiiAfH ul5A bhsA pHthT-
day and Monday and made plans
70 carry the program over the
holiday vacation. They plan 70
have a stAtsmsnt prepared and
distributed 10 all students before
the end u final week.
Professor Donald W. Calhoun
assistant professor In the general
Studnss department, was the sec
ond professor outside Of the phil
osophy department. 20 speak out
in behalf Of Virgins.
This past Tuesday he issued .
statement In which he charged
the university administration
eapituIAtsd 'to political and pub
lie hyHtsria and has created . eat
Of extremely ill-forTnulatsd AGA
dsrnie grounds In order 10 dis
gVJiSe from itself and others the
real motives for In action.
Il Do not know DT. Virgins
personally. nor am I trained
technically a. . philosopher and
therefore DO no; consider myself
fttsd % pass Judgement upon
his professional eompstsnee 0r HE
scholarship. In this respect, I
feel myself 20 b. neither more or