St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1951-12-21
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the unanimity in the type of re-
commentator that should be
made in regards to Virgins"
Immediately after the press
conference the philosophy depart
ment issued a statement declar.
ing Virgins competent and ex.
planning why the department was
unanimous in its recommendation
that he be retained.
COnger Replies to Charges
Conger also said that copy OF
the statement was going to be
sent to the American Association
of University Professors, which
he is going to ask to enter the
case.
Against the charges that Wig,
gins lack of scholarship was evi'
dent because he published nc
papers since joining the univer'
sity, the statement issued by the
department said:
'Dr. Virgins has taught
number of courses. Four of
these have been new to him and
have been developed sine 1916.
Much of the research that
might otherwise have been dir
ected into the preparation of
articles for academic journals
has had to be concentrated on
preparation of materials for
classroom lectures"
Many statements praising Wig
gins, made by former student:
were in the statement.
Virgins teaches what he des
Cribes as hot" courses, because
they examine the social, politica
and economic PHILOSOPHERS of the
United States.
bIllltI " u V II u LulHtl
Youngdahl Otto Christensen
Minnesota Employers association
Prof. Mark Graubard; Carl Ross
Communist party official; Prof
Arthur Upgren; DR.. Max Seham
Prof f. w. Ziebarth have appear
ed as guest speakers before Wig
gins class, Design for America.
This is the fourth year that h,
has taught this course, in which
senior students design the kind o
world they want to live in.
After being notified of his re
signation, Virgins asked: Doe
man have a right to views which
do not agree with those of a Re
publican dominated legislature p
IF a am not competent, why
am l being allowed to teach unit
June 1872"
Why did it take from 194'
until now for them to find GU
that / am not competent"
Virgins charged. 1T appear.
that if a man dissents from tn,
theology Of the dominant politica
groups he cannot hold a job in al
American university"
William Num-, director Of tn,
university public relations, wa
accused by Virgins of tellint
Conger that he was embarrassing
the university, particularly in tn
legislature" and that we got ric
of one embarrassment prof 10
seph Weinbcrgl and we'll get n,
of this one"
Morrill, denied that pressur
from any Legislators had infuenc
ed McDairmid or himself in max
ing their decision to drop Wiggin
from the faculty.
Legislators Claim Credit
Three legislators told a differ
ent story when they said that the.
had urged university officials +
dismiss Virgins. Following an
nouncement of Virgins termina
ton, they announced that the,
supported the administration
action.
The three legislators are Ser
Fay C. Child, Maynard; Rrepre
sentative d. D. Wozniak, st. Pau
and Representative Reuben H
Tweten, Fosston, all three o
whom are members of the univer
sity committee in the legislature
A check Of the voting records
of these men disclosed they had
voted for the Gripping amend
ments on FEPC in the 1851 ses-
sion.
Virgins became the center o
dispute last spring in the legisla
ture when copies Of a speech h
made, Conflict and the Socia
Order before a student sponsor
ed affair was distributed TO tn
members Of the legislature.
Last Tuesday, Dec. IL, Profes
sors Herbert Feigl and Wilfre,
Sellars Of the philosophy depart
ment called on Morrill, TO plead il
behalf Of Virgins.
Feigl said that they were toll
by Morrill, that the matter wa
stl open"
Virgins said the letter notify
ing him Of his termination wa
dated Dec. 7 and delivered to hin