The people's voice., 1958-05-23

! nationally under the bricks and mortar
| administration of King Carl. No amount
| OF saying that it has can change that
tact. Too many good faculty have left
the campus for other freer and more
happy environments during the past
| SIX years. and the reputation of MSU
has not profited thereby.
| am disappointed that you have
fallen into the trap of being concerned
about the structure for higher educa-
tion in Montana. Most states envy
Montana's unified system. Many have
taken steps over the years to move in
the direction Montana, by design or
happy accident, established in it's con-
stitution.
The years of good service given by
the present and preceding State Boards
are too easily forgotten in days of con-
troversy such as presently exist The
implication that the present system is
failure is not fair, just because pres
ent circumstances are disturbing.
Part of the trouble, 1 agree with you,
is due to the boards unfortunate pen
chant for going into executive session.
l agreed with Guthrie, Dwyer, Popham
ana olsen in previous years-and with
Anderson, Popham, Paige and Miss
Miller noW-that executive sessions are
not good. But in defense of the board
on this issue I must point out that to
this situation on itself. You we'll know
of one or two reporters who attended
board meetings in the past when 1 was
there who seized on statements out
of context by some members-usually
elected officials-and quoted them in
news stories in order to present the
quoted member in the worst possible
light Since no reporter can quote
everything that is said, he must need
be subjective in quoting what he thinks
is important. And subjective thinking
on the part of reporters-whiIeh human
lis not always conducive ito honest
news coverage. I am convinced that
largely for this reason, but perhaps
partly in a misguided effort to attempt
to keep McFarlands reputation as an
as unsullied as possible the
of the board voted for execu-
tive session. l am sorry they did, be-
cause | think complete exposure of the
facts on McFarland's lack of educa-
tional ability would be enlightening.
doubt however, that the major press
services would have carried it, The
rrib in particular in it's editorials seems
TO be biased in his favor-why, don't |
Know
All Montanans should be concerned |
With the future of the University of |
six units Their lack of |
Intelligent concern in the past is yield
ng bitter fruit at the present. But the
uture looks bright, if only the Juror
viii die down and the board can give
is attention to the selection of a good
PRESIDENT for MSU. Such a person
mould be an educator--McF arland was
lot; indeed he seemed to pride himself
n that fact. He should understand in
ernal administration of higher educa-
ion, should be willing and able to CO.
perate with the other unit presidents,
n aia -, |
he true snse of the word, and above
ii be dedicated to the advancement
education for the young people whom
e is privileged to guide-and not to
ersonal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
Ethics, integrity, courage, magma {
ion and ability for constructive action ,
re equally as important as academic
xcellence in a president-and a million
mes more important than Va national
eputation as a lawyer. 1 think the !
oard has learned this by bitter ex- ,
erience. If the ill-advised albeit we'll
eaning, groups continue their attacks
n the state board and higher education
| Montana they will make the univer- ,
ty presidency less and less attractive
} the kind of persons who could best '
erve in this position. n
| hope the Voice will not contribute
} this clamor, but rather will concen-
ate on bringing the attention of y
lontanans to the Importance of keep a
g phony "Right-to Work" legislation n
ut of the picture, ITO reporting the
1litical news-good and bad-in Mon
ma, to continuing ito work for good C
'ograms for mental health, for our s
ldian friends, the farmers, the con- G
lmers, and most of all the school :
rildren. You are often the only re- I
able spokesmen on these important
sues. Please don't let your alumni
yalty befog your judgment on the =
,mise of Mcfarland.
| do want you to know how much I J
ok forward to receiving the Voice
,ch week here in Washington. I hope
see you soon personally for a good
d argumentive visit. AS ever.-MARY
CONDOR, 1900 Massachusetts Ave-,
W, Washington 6, d.. c.
DITOR'S NOTE-Friend Mary, with
parts of this letter as basis, the II
hona Won exnreSS in final rparaqranh n