J
Paas 2
THE NEBRASKAN
Wednesdov, April 18,
Nebraskan Editorials:
Several facts stand out in the recent demotion
of Clyde Mitchell as chairman of the department
of agricultural economics:
1. Jio member of the department denied (and
The Nebraskan contacted all but one professor
far the department) that the Implication of "out
aide pressures" was brought out in the special
meeting before Easter vacation as influential
in the administrative decision to relieve Mitchell
of his chairmanship duties.
2. Several professors in the ag ec department
have told The Nebraskan in specially arranged
interviews that they were "certain in their own
minds" that "special interests outside the Uni
versity" have influenced Mitchell's demotion.
3. Mitchell has beea subjected to the severe
opposition in the past, notably attacks from the
Hall County Farm Bureau and Regent J. Leroy
Welsh of Omaha.
4. Many powerful political organizations and
farm groups have been displeased with Mitchell's
policies which he has presented in his many
speaking tours and personal trips throughout the
midwest.
These "outside pressures" can never be
proven. Yet, the indications are so unavoidably
strong that they cannot be denied.
First of all, in applying this material, it must
be remembered that removing an administra
tive official is not, in and of itself, a legal
abridgement of academic freedom.
. But nevertheless, it must also be remembered
that removing an administrator because of "out
side pressures" or the influence of "special
interests" is a moral abridgement of the spirit
of academic freedom and the principles upon
which the integrity and future of our university
and every university rests.
Moreover, this action is nothing more than a
clever ruse to officially discourage the inde-
if ling Y ho Liberals'
pendent thought of a university professor while
carefully avoiding censure by the American
Association of University Professors, which
handles only cases involving academic privilege
and tenure (neither of which is vested with an
administrative official.)
But whether or not such action is legally,
morally or ethically justified, or whether it can
continue to slide .by the jurisdiction of the AAUP,
the effect which such administrative action can
impress upon a university is irremedially
dangerous. . y
In the specific case of Clyde Mitchell his views
liberal, but far from radical have been offi
cially discouraged by the administrative demo
tion which he received.
But in the larger and more important sense, the
right of free speech, the right of dissent, the
right of free inquiry, the right of a University
professor to speak freely without the fear of
losing his job or his administrative position has
been seriously endangered at the University.
And it is becoming distressingly apparent that
this atmosphere is prevalent not only in the
agricultural economics department where proc
essors have been very hesitant in talking about
the Mitchell case but has impressed itself deep'
ly upon other departments and colleges here at
the University where similar administrative
changes have taken and will be taking place.
The questions which remain before us are in
deed serious.
Is the University weakening to the sociological
pressures of conformity, is it becoming politically
compatible with the special interests in the
state, is it seeking to identify itself with the
arch conservatism of the traditional Nebraskan?
In short, is the University of Nebraska trying
to stifle the independent thought of its more
liberal professors? B.B.
LITTLE MAN ON CAMPUS
Athletic Focal Point
University athletic squads are preparing them
selves for the focal point of the spring season,
All-Sports Day. April 28 has been selected as
the date of the annual affair.
A complete schedule has been set up for the
Saturday, starting with a baseball game between
Nebraska and Offutt Air Base at 10 a.m. and
concluding with a swimming exhibition at 5
p.m.' Sandwiched in between these events are
tennis and gymnastic matches and a track meet
pitting the varsity against the freshmen.
The highlight of the day-long affair is the
varsity-alumni football game which will allow
Husker fans to witness two factors which will
probably make this year's festivities the largest
crowd drawer in the history of the event.
First, Nebraska followers will receive their
first look at a football team coached by their
recently appointed mentor, Pete Elliott.
Secondly, Elliott's squad will be facing a sea
soned group of alumni, including such former
standouts as Bobby Reynolds, Tom Novak, Fran
Nagle, Bob Smith, Charlie Toogood, Moon
Mullins and a host of other all time greats. Ed
Weir, former track coach and AU-American dur
ing the golden decade of Cornhusker football will
kick extra points tor the- Alumni.
All-Sports Day has been built up to one of
the top athletic events of the year to Husker
followers outstate. Nearly all of the Nebraska
high schools send representatives and the Uni
versity coaching staff invites all top prep athletes
to be the guests of the department in viewing
the events.
If anything is lacking in the All-Sports Day
program it will not be the prowess of the ath
letic department; it will be the support given it
by the student body. B.C.
Toward A Better Council
The Nebraskan, in a campaign for better
Student Council representation, is inviting all
candidates to submit platforms to the paper,
citing their beliefs on student government, and
their opinions on campus issues.
These platforms will be published in The Ne
braskan's editorial pages. They should be brief,
to the point, and the opinion of the candidate,
not any particular group with which he might
have connected himself.
The Student Council is the only medium
through which students can actively participate
in the governing of their affairs. So that the
students are well-represented in this vital me
dium, it is only logical that those candidates
which are the most interested and the most
qualified be supported.
If candidates arc interested in the Council as
the main student governing body, and not as
just another lucrative activity, it is expected
they will try to voice their platforms before the
voting student body.
It will be interesting to see F.T.D.
Functions Of An Honor System
Student opinion on the possibility of integrating
an Honor System into the University's academic
program will be polled in a student vote May 7.
Student feeling on the honor system and on a
student tribunal is being sought by the Student
Council.
If the vote should indicate that general student
opinion is in favor of an honor system or a
tribunal, or both, the Council would recommend
to next year's Council that plans be drawn up
providing for the development of these cystems.
These plans would be subject to approval of the
administration.
In order that students might go to the polls
better informed on the functions of the honor
ytu and the tribunal, The Nebraskan pre
sents this second in a series of editorials.
Today's editorial will explain the purposes and
workings f an honor system, based on those at
Stanford University and the University of Vir
ginia. At Stanford, the honor system rests on the
earrying out of a "Fundamental Standard" by
the students and the faculty. This standard
assumes that persons in the university have
respect for order, morality, personal honor and
the rights of others.
If this basic code is followed, the school
assumes thero is no need for heavy restrictions
or supervision. By obeying the Fundamental
"Standard, each student will act in accordance to
bO school rules, both academically and in his
relations -with other students and faculty.
The Honor Code for classroom work and exam-
nations follows this at Stanford. Students art
expected to follow the Code, and see that others
do so.
Ttey pledge not to receive aid on examina
tions, class work or reports. The faculty mani
fests Its confidence in the students by refrain
tog from proctoring exams and by accepting a
student's word that his work is his own.
The Stanford Honor Code is enforced through
"eoHfctlve responsibility. The university believes
Uratrthe success of their system results in trust
of students and professors with each other, re
sulting in mutual respect and friendship.
The Virginia system works the same wey, in
that students pledge that the work they hand
in is their own, done in accordance with re
quirements as laid down by the professors.
There is a slightly greater emphasis, however,
on student support of tbe system. If a student
sees another breaking the code, he should in
vestigate, and report the matter to the Honor
Committee if be believes his suspicions are
based on fact.
Cheating at cards, lying, falsifying checks or
identification or cheating on debts can result in
expulsion from both universities.
Stanford and Virginia have faith in their honor
systems. They believe a greater respect for
personal honor and the honor of the school is
built up by adherence to the honor code.
By putting the greater part of the supervision
of the code itself with the student?, it becomes
each student's personal responsibility that the
code is Maintained.
If an honor system were to be planned for
this university, it would most likely be along
the lines of the systems at Stanford and Vir
ginia. In case of breaches of the code, violators could
be sent before a purely student tribunal, a com
bined student-faculty board or a faculty super
visor. They would then be dealt with as violators
of one of the University's prime rules.
The actual success of an honor system would
rest with the students, however. To make it
work, each student would have to pledge not to
break it himself, and to either warn or report
anyone he would see violating the code.
In voting on an honor system, the students of
this University will have to realize this responsi
bility. Support of an honor system -would go
far beyond a student election. It would extend
through an entire academic career.
It would be a student's responsibility to
his school, his fellow students and to him
self. F.T.D.
The Nebraska.!
FIFTY-FIVE YEARS OLD
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EDITORIAL STAFF
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by Dick Bibler
CRTHKFS FORESTfc'-I MM PECIDf TO60MDW UMgf K flBME SS.
Nebraskan Letterip
Mitchell Unjustly Demoted
To the Editor:
As a senior in the college of
Agriculture, I would venture this:
Professor Mitchell is being un
justly demoted because he has
been out of tone with prevailing
socio-economic concepts concepts
that add slack to the thing called
"social lag" and inhibit the guest
for new ideas to cope with the prob
lems confronting agriculture and
the nation.
Will he be out of tone tomor
row? Is it logical that we can know
if our conclusions are correct con
clusions? I believe that men like
Professor Mitchell are to be cher
ished rather than rejected.
If we do not provide such men
with a suitable environment in
which to work an environment of
academic freedon then what pur
pose is there in uttering the word
"freedom''?
If we must acquiesce to the con
trol of our educators by special
interest groups who have vested
interests to protect, then we
have lost the most valuable prin
ciple upon which a university is
based.
In my opinion it would seem that
the decision to demote Professor
Mitchell is in direct conflict with
the principle of maintaining an at
mosphere of academic freedom
within the confines of our Univer
sity community.
Such a conclusion, if correct,
suggests that the highest principles
of our Institution have been placed
in jeopardy. This is an unhappy
turn of events and one that de
mands our serious confern.
In view of the controversies that
have arisen with regard to Pro
fessor Mitchell, during his tenure
here at the University, it can be
reasonably inferred that his de
motion will have the effect of
warning other faculty members of
the dire consequences of freely
discussing their convictions on is
sues that are controversial, especi
ally if their convictions in any
way deviate from the "accepted"
consensus of opinion prevailing
within the state.
Dean E. Bucy
Vice-President,
Ag Economics Club
Explanation Needed
To the Editor:
It is too bad that the willful
person responsible for the "pres
sures" and subsequent firing of Dr.
Mitchell could not have been at
the honors convocation Tuesday.
Dr. Frank Baxter said, "The wise
man must not knuckle under to
mass pressure and be reduced to
a statistic." This was the main
idea that this noted educator pre
sented to the coliseum convocation
which is very applicable of the
Mitchell case.
Dr. Mitchell saw his duty as an
"institutional economist" and de
clined to be reduced to a statistic
when the outside pressures de
manded it.
Dr. Mitchell will be long remem
bered bv the many students of
agricultu. -i economics regardless
of any kind of pressure exerted be
cause of his challenging lectures
which provide a stimulus of thought
both inside and outside of calss.
Still many facts of the case'are
vague and covered with the dirt
of politics. What of the graduate
faculty and thefr repeated refusal
to admit Dr. Mitchell membership
on that faculty even though the
chairmen of departments are
usually the first to be admitted?
This outright denial of what
might be called seniority and the
purposeful blindness to Dr. Mitch
ell's capabilities known nationally,
and yet not rewarded by the facul
ty, should be explained.
A Student Behind Mitchell
Speaking Freely
To the editor:
This letter is in response to
many inquiries I have had in re
gard to the Dr. C. Clyde Mitchell
case. I have been accused of being
the un-named College of Agricul
ture senior who has been making
statements to the press but with
holding his name for fear of re
prisal from the administration.
I am not that student, and I am
sure that both the Chancellor and
the Dean are above reproach when
it comes to letting the students
concerned with this case may speak
freely without fear of reprisal in
this University.
Dr. Mitchell is an outstanding
professor but if, as Dean Lambert
stated, the reason for the demo
tion of Mitchell is true and a new
chairman is being sought to stim
ulate beyond present levels the re
search and extension programs
in agricultural economics, I am
frankly for the demotion of Dr.
Mitchell.
However, if Dr. Mitchell is be
ing replaced by a new chairman,
who is afraid to speak his own
opinions, I am certainly not in
favor of the demotion. The agri
cultural economics department's
progress under Dr. Mitchell's lead
ership has been excellent.
It perhaps can be even better
under a new chairman. Dr. Mitch
ell is an excellent teacher, but
progress cannot be made unless
research and good teaching go
hand in hand.
Frankly, when I first heard the
rumor to the effect that Dr. Mitch
ell was being demoted, I felt it was
primarily due to pressure on the
administration.
I do wish that the administration
would have made a statement
when they knew this rumor was
going among the students, but of
course, they must have had their
reason for a denial that this ru
mor was false.
Now, I am almost sure that if
Dr. Mitchell and the new chairman
will continpe their stimulation of
the. students' minds in the socio
economic fields, I feel that it is
not a case of academic freedom in
this demotion but a case of better
ment for the University.
I feel that the students in he
agriculure college have shown
their maturity by the rabid inter
est they have shown in this case.
Let us continue this mature out
look by thinking before we act.
Frankly, if this move allows Dr.
Mitchell more time to teach more
classes, the students in the College
of Agriculture will stand to gain
in being able to discuss and dis
agree with such a thought provoling
man as Dr. Mitchell more times
in their college career.
University I'm behind you
whatever your do just as long
as the freedom to discuss and dis
agree is allowed.
If, in this case, the new replace
ment is not an ultra-conservative
person, who believes that the fields
of agricultural economics should
be only a study of land, efficiency,
etc. instead of a mixture of pol
icy, new economic theories with
the above, I am sure that we as a
University still allow the basic free
dom of inquiry.
Richard Johnson
from the 2nd District
Richard Johmoa
Who Will Be Next?
To the Editor:
Although Dr. Riesman's lectures
last week seemed to cause some
slight embarrassment to at least
two of the people who appeared on
the stand with him at various
times, his perceptive comments
on academic pressures were
coughed away and flutteringly ig
nored with the publication of the
recent hatchet notices against C.
Clyde Mitchell.
The "good people" have spoken,
the barometer has sensed Bnd a
teacher is gone. They didn't like
Dr. Mitchell, or they were told
that they should not like Dr. Mitch
ell, and they did their duty.
Their duty was clear: While the
pressures were hot in 1953, pro
tect him and pacify the faculty
with a few platitudes on academic
freedom ; but when things have died
down, when the faculty isn't look
ing, then quietly begin the remov
al. Probably nothing will be done.
The faculty will sit quietly and
call tHeir own fear and cowardice
academic respect and aloofness.
They will accept the cheap ex
cuses, the hair-splittings, the trick
ery of glib administrators.
But which one will go next, Mr.
Professor?
A - Dlniurbed Student
-was y jr
Columnist Need;
Paper's Defense
My column last week brought in'
the usual flood of congratulatory
letters, and I spent the weekend
frantically trying to buy all the
acid in Lincoln. One can't take too
many precautions now that col
umnists are in season.
This is my day to tell you about
all the important campus issues,
and no amount of wheedling is go
ing to stop me, so you may as well
give up right now. And if you will
excuse me for a moment, I'll slip
into the wings, change my makeup,
leer at the chorus girls, and be
back on stage in a flash.
I see that the Pi Xi's met last
week, and this reminds me that it
shouldn't be long until another is
sue of the Pixie Press is on the
doorstep. I wonder who will be
Jess Jesting
lucky enough to gain mention on
those pages this year? Golly, I
hope I make it, Mummy loves to
see my name in the papers.
As far as a.. Honor System at
the University is concerned, I'm
for setting one up right now, be
fore finals. Concerning my own
qualifications, anyone will "tell you
that the merest hint of an affront
to my honor is enough to make me
gather up my possessions and flee
for the border.
But the affair that is getting the
biggest play in the papers is the
case of C. Clyde Mitchell. I am
glad that Mr. Mitchell is being so
well defended, and nothing gives
me greater pleasure than seeing
the Chancellor and a few Deans on
the ropes.
Yet, I feel that you might have
found someone in greater need of
defense, namely me. Why, com
pared to the treatment I've re
ceived from this University, Mr.
Mitchell has been handled like
touring royalty, but no one has
risen as my champion.
Picture a man with the looks of
Montgomery Clift, the wit of H. L.
Mencken, the grace of Gene Kel.
ly, the strength of Charles Atlas,
the song of a lark, the head of a
st-.te, the birth of a nation and
the ghost of a chance; picture such
a man, I say, and you may have
C. Clyde Mitchell but you wont
have me.
Why this brawny University
should pick on me is a puzzle in
monstrosity. In my present condi
tion, I can hardly operate a can
opener, let alone perform all the
tasks set upon me.
I wish the editors of this paper
would consider my situation, and
tn rnv case a little publicity. I
havent even had time to go into
u aiaing for Ivy Day.
At A 61 INSURANCE POLICY
HOLDER., ITS UP TO YOU TO
KEEP VA INFORMED OF THE
BENFFICIARIES YOU WISH TO
RECEIVE THE PROCEEDS OF YOUR
POLICY AND HOW THE MONEY
IS TO BE PAID THEM
Ti fell laferamtiMi eont year anreat
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION eAce
rvith
m V
I v- (Author "Bartfoot Boy WitK Cheek' etc.)
PHI BETA KAPPA, I LOVE YOU!
Once there -was a Chi Omega named Alfreda Pectate who
was beautiful and well-formed and wore clothes of the most
tasteful cut and smoked the gentlest of all cigarettes r- Philip
Morris, of corria.'-and had, in addition to these admirable
qualities, a brain so massive and retentive that she used to read
the Britannica just for kicks.
Alfreda had one great ambition: to be elected to Phi Beta
Kappa. Consequently she was all a-dither when she heard a
rumor one night that a man from the Phi Beta Kappa selection
board was coming over to the Chi Omega house to interview
her. Being all a-dither, Alfreda sat down and lit a Philip Morris,
as she always did when she was all a-dither, for gentle Philip
Morris, as wise Alfreda knew, is comfort to the troubled, balm
to the beset, and a haven to the vexed. But gentle Philip Morris,
as Alfreda, with her mighty intellect, was well aware, is not
only a cigarette for times of .stress and strain, but also the
perfect accompaniment to happiness and light For gentla
Philip Morris is sunny and cheery and jolly and merry and
yummy! All this Alfreda, with her giant cerebellum, knew.
By and by there came a loud, masculine knock on the door, and
Alfreda, composing herself, went to answer it "Won't you come
m? she said to the man outside. "I am Alfreda Pectate."
;And I am Ed Fester," said the man, entering with a friendly
smile. Ed had found that a friendly smile was a great asset in the
Venetian blind game, which happened to be Ed's game. He had
nothing to do with Phi Beta Kappa; he had come over to see
about a new blind for the house mother's bedroom. But, of
course; Alfreda knew nothing of this.
"Xio sit down," said Alfreds,
"Thanks, hey," said Ed. "But I can't stay long."
Of course " said Alfreda and proceeded without delay to
demonstrate how wide and comprehensive was her learning.
Deer, she said, "have no gall bladders."
i iwiliBM ' ,e.i4. fixCt
"dm, ke lm Ho Salt iOgJerS.
"Is that so?" said F.H whn . .....
deer had gall bladders m naQ Del,eVefl
':Hmm,"nBS Ef A,frCda' " P-5ti-"
AlfreFdartnight' Contraction oi 'fourteen nights,'" said
"What do you know!" said Ed
RaZdtJI1 !" frbidden t0 h n America
nag said Alfreda. "That is not true. It is perfectly nroner to
wash an American flag." penecuy proper to
I'Learn something every day," said Ed
The smallest fish in the world," said Alfreda "is the Pan
daka Pygmea which is under a half inch when full Train -
How come they buried that Jonson sitting up?" said Ed.
"OhVSd. d WC8tmimiter Abbe;," .'aid Alfreda:
3i27fiS SeT her hand 8aid Alfreda-
window?" 4 HVW bifir i8 your house Cher's
eofsshef" Cheek MWe11' th8t' way it'
goes she sighed "You work and slave and study and then they
tch you on a trick question ! ... Oh, well, thafJ life I guess"
Forlorn and bereft, she rose and shambled to her bed and
fell upon it and wept for several days. But finally IhVnulES
herself together, and today she is wifh Eyrd inS MS
CM ftktiimu, W4
ii'sfiffisa.'S
i
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