The people's voice., 1958-05-09

From Here. Where?

methods employed by Dr. Carl Mcfarland in ad-
nisterng Montana State University affairs this Editor finds
little be elated result of his resignation having
accepted by the State Board of Education
His autocratc hand abundany for him the dislike
of substantial of MSUs faculty. spawned cultivated
resolution the ranks of organized labor that long Nc
Farand president be revival of the friendly
relationship enjoyed by workers and the university prior
his taking the helm years ago.
On the other hand when MSU the butt completely
vicious attack the American Legion Carl
Mcfarland wavered fought vaan protect the good
the university from those whom Author Bud Guthrie
apty described standing neehgh the caliber
of men brought to MSU by Mcfarland.
Being cognizant goals Mcfarland hoped to achieve
for MSU and the time much the methods
he employed in attempting achieve those goals approach
his sudden departure from the university with mixed emotions
Because of those mixed emotions and because the faculty
student ratio mpasse between Mcfarland State
of Education (Which was the apparent cause for his repna
on) has been beclouded by seemingly deliberate effort
the board to keep from the public this Editor
this time refraned from editorial comment on t
Even now, because the board wrapped itself
attempting to resolve the controversy surrounding
YOUR unsupported university, very little
has been revealed which will permit the average citizen
arrive at any intelligent conclusions
Perhaps Mcfarland had ovestepped himself in stand
pat the Perhaps the board had other choice
than to accept his resignation.
However did the board give Mcfarland chance to attain
the faculty salary dictated the legislature by
other method than a reduction in the faculty?
Did the board permit him opportunity offer
native proposal which would achieve the mandatory
and yet the time permit both the board and Mcfarland
to publicly "save face?
Or certain members of the board determined
Mcfarland at all Certainly delight
board member Gan officer in the American Legion auxiliary
exhibited in presenting the resolution
for the coming would indicate that controversy
have been precptated rather than valid
reason for bringing his tenure at MSU to end.
Answers to the above questions must the realm
conjecture because of the boards
people of Montana into it's confidence open
with conclusions openly arrived at
certain things that must be borne in mind relative
to the administering of departments of government.
Boards such the State Board of Education
a of the system of checks and balances have
representative way dictatorship
Because demand strong determined ad
mnstrators of various it equally
a that there be higher authority the brakes should
such administrators autOcrac tendencies Such higher
authority with greatest
must not be exeed fvolous if the interests good admin
istraton' to be served
Again. because of secrecy have only conjecture
in attempting determine whether Carl Mcfarland sought
set himself powerful than the state board wheh
board it's supervisory authority
manner in handling the facutysuden ratio controversy
Out of this controversy arise questions which merit the
serious consideration of every Montanan.
Has rapidly increasing emphasis education in Montana
reached the point where board longer properly
handle major policy problems arising level of edu
cation in addition to the managerial problems of five state
custodia institutions? o
With greater enromens at the elementary secondary
higher education levels and the vastly increasing problems of
plant and staff brought about by enroll
ment how board regularly meeting each month
possibly at sound decisions matters which only it
has the power to resolve? T.
Is it not time the legislature seriously consider
proach to the mounting problems of supervision of education
at the various levels? "a
merit proposal that there should board
which would itself exclusively with the elementary
secondary field responsibility would the
units of the greater university SYSTEM and third handle
the major administrative problems arising at the five custoda