The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1963-07-19
Somewhat Academic
By EDMUND FREEMAN, Missoula
A Proud Tradition

gents may interview candidates fol
the presidency of the State University
in Chicago and that one Regent al
least thinks that the president of any
unit of the University should be
'fomnipotent" l wonder about the flu
ture of the State University.
There are three traditional causes
at MSU for which many faculty men,
bers are concerned and have made
some sacrifices. For many years the
University has had a proud tradition
of academic freedom. Many times
from different quarters the freedom
of the teacher to think and speak his
own thoughts in classrooms and in
public have been attacked but almost
as often it has been vigorously de-
Tended by faculty, administrat ton, and
aroused citizens. Far from being pun
ished enough by public criticism for
his speech in ST. Paul, Morton Borden
received an outpouring of letters of
support | would never have believed
possible for one man to receive in
our state. Vigorous criticism of aca-
demic ideas on moot questions is very
desirable, but such criticism can be
carried on without trying to undo the
man we disagree with. Anyway, we
have this good tradition.
A Ragged Tradition
MSU has rather ragged tradition
Of professional cooperation between
faculty and administration. There was
4 brilliant beginning in the early
rwenties with the initiation of the
Budget and Policy
Committee whose task was to advise |
With the president on all important |
matters of budget-making and shaping |
educational policies. This committee |
# seven members established a fine
ecord within five years and continued
for another ten years. In that
eriod | think there was not an i'm
ortant policy that was not under
TODD to be the joint will of the active
aculty and the administration. There
Tere dissenters, but dissent did not
eem a disease and did not inspire
nmity.
Then for several years this tradi-
on was virtually lost, to be restored ,
gain by presidents who chose to I
lake full use of the faculty-elected
advice and cooperation.
hen again for number of years the ,
,mmittee was ignored or used only !
n minor issues. The periods when
lie committee was neglected ended /
nhappily for us all. :
Six years ago the faculty had !
,alized that there was great in
lequacy in this Budget and Policy :
ommittee set-up. Even if the presi- I
INT was inclined to ask the commit
e's advice, the committee of seven p
as too small to gather and reflect +
e interests and viewpoints of
'eatly- enlarged faculty. And if the f
'esident was not so inclined, the 6
Guilty could only stand and wait
'cause the general faculty meetings +
ere called only by the will of the r
esident and could be as productive q
unproductive of criticism as he !,
shed. Furthermore, the faculty was y
w so large that their meetings could \
It be we'll managed for good discus II
IN. o.
The result of this feeling of dis ..
tisfaction was the defining of the n
Guilty Senate idea-an idea already q
wide use in major institutions. o.
lie pattern for the Faculty Senate :,
IS worked out, during 1957-59 by OF
oint effort of the AAUP and AFT ~
CARNATIONS and submitted to the 4;
,ulty and administration for amend n
mt and approval. Its acceptance b,
S rather long delayed but it is now al
rking steadily. Of
The Senate is composed of 45 mem al
IS elected by the entire faculty.
e Senate in turn elects from its
n membership the Budget and Poll !
Committees of seven members to
as it's executive committee and
advisory committee for the adj
listration. The Senate convenes on te'
call of its own elected chairman 10
discusses any issues that seem Ia
'ortant for the university's well
e. so
Oh
!. Nearly Nom Existent Tradition IT.