Maroon

              LOYOLA  MAROON VOL. XLVI Loyola University, New Orleans, La., 70118, Friday, March 6, 1970 No. 19 University senators complete drafting answer to president The University Senate finished drafting a reply to a letter from the university president which criticized the Senate for action it took at its January 15 emergency meeting. At their February 19 meeting the Senate had completed half of the response to the January 29 letter from the Very Rev. President Homer R. Jolley, S.J. in which the president said he thought the "procedure of the Senate was seriously at fault" at its Jan. 15 meeting. During that emergency meeting in January the Senate reprimanded the Rev. Thomas H. Clancy, S.J., vice president for academic affairs and asked the Board of Directors to remove Dr. Frank Crabtree as dean of the College of Arts and Science. The first half of the reply letter drafted by the Senate at its Feb. 19 meeting told the president that the Senate hopefully anticipated freer channels of communication between the Board of Directors, the Senate and the university at large. It also said that the Senate regreted the Board's decision concerning the Faculty Handbook. The Senate said in the letter it felt that the administration did not make "an appropriate effort" to reconcile the approved handbook with the Senate's policy statement. The Senate had drawn up a faculty rights, freedoms and responsibilities document which they felt should have been approved by the Board instread of the handbook, drafted by the Rev. Thomas H. Clancy, S.J. The second half of the letter, adopted at the Senate's February 26 meeting, affirmed that the senate's actions at its January 15 meeting were "in good order and parliamentary correct" and noted that university officials should stand ready at any time to receive criticism of their official conduct. "We affirm that out actions at the Senate's emergency meeting on January 15 were in good order and parliamentary correct though perhaps too long delayed," stated the letter. The letter noted that all action taken at that meeting was backed up by published statements and that the action of the meeting was pressing because of the deadlime of Februaty 1 on the contract offers. "We regret that our actions may have caused more personal suffering than might have resulted to ourselves and to others had earlier action permitted a more leisurely procedure. In the future we shall discuss all questions immediately as events give rise to them," the letter further stated. "In these times university officials are certainly no exception to the rule that every public official must stand ready at any time to receive criticism of his official conduct." stated the letter. It also noted that although "such critcism" may be taken as personal, it was not in fact a "personal attack." "We understand that the Senate has no authority to remove university officials. Those criticized in the motions of the Senate are at any time in order to deny the charges and demand a hearing before a body competent to judge the cases," it stated. The Senate included in the letter a sentence accepting the suggestion made by Father Jolley that the Senate re-examine its constitution, bylaws and election procedures. In the letter the Senate also noted that "positive gains" have been made at Loyola in the area of faculty participaiton and university-wide communication since Father Jolley has been president. "May we conclude by expresssing to you our gratitued for the efforts you have made. We applaud your promises, and share with you our belief and hope that faculty-ad ministration-student dialogue will be more productive in the future," the letter stated. LION IN MARQUETTE—Jim Swinnen casts a questioning glance at Kathy Meyer and JoAnne Brennan as they rehearse for selections from the "Lion in Winter" to be presented next week in Marquette Auditorium. The play begins at 8:30 p.m. AAUP representatives meet with Rev. Jolley Campus representatives of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) met with the university president this week in an attempt to solve Loyola's current problems on campus. The representatives. Dr. Anthony DiMaggio, chairman of the chemistry department, and Dr. Robert Petterson, professor of chemistry, discussed three areas which they believe could cause an AAUP investigation. They met in a three-hour Monday meeting with the Very Rev. President Homer R. Jolley, S.J. Dr. DiMaggio said the meeting was an informational one, the purpose of which was "so Father Jolley can attempt to resolve difference so there would be no need for an AAUP investigation." The areas discussed, according to Dr. Petterson, were the case of Tom Blouin, faculty .member of the Fnglish department; Dr. John W. Corrington, chairman of the same department; and, in general, the question of faculty contracts. Dr. Petterson added that the cases were separate ones, but "so inter-related that investigation in any one area, would reveal another area." Both Dr. Petterson and Dr. DiMaggio agreed that they wanted the matter to be settled at Loyola. Neither would elaborate on details of the discussion with Father Jolley. Dr. Petterson said, however, that he and Dr. DiMaggio were "almost certain" that the faculty would win most of the decisions if any of the cases were brought to the AAUP. Both said no deadline had been imposed upon Father Jolley, but felt it would be best if a decision were reached soon. They also said that there was no ultimatums presented to the president. Father Jolley would not comment on what transpired at the Monday meeting. "The meeting was asked of me by two old friends who gave me some serious information. I am in the process of thinking it through now. It would be inappropriate for me to comment now." The president said he planned to ask for a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors as soon as he is able. He declined saying what matters will be discussed, but added that he would "seek advice about some serious problems" facing the university. Father Jolley admitted the possibility of an AAUP investigation ("There is always a possibility"), but said "I hope we can settle our own difficulties without going outside." He said he was not worried about the AAUP coming in. Father Jolley said later in the interview that one of the reasons he was calling the Executive Committee meeting was the case of faculty member Tom Blouin. Blouin was terminated in May of 1969 over the protests of his English department faculty members, who, claim that he has tenure and, therefore, cannot be fired without cause. Blouin has petitioned the university Rank and Tenure Committee to hear his case. Father Jolley said at a February 20, 1969, meeting of the University Senate that he would back the decision of the R&T committee on a particular case. The case is commonly thought to be that of Blouin. Father Jolley said Wednesday he would stick by that statement "in the case of Mr. Blouin." He added that the Board of Directors can still reverse his decision. He said he would promote the decision of the R&T committee in the Board. Dr. Petterson is scheduled to appear at the Free Speech Mike today at noon to discuss AAUP procedures and to give more people on campus an idea of how the organization operates. Dr. Fersch dies unexpectedly Dr. Peter Fersch, assistant professor of English, died unexpectedly Wednesday. He was 30 years old. Following an autopy yesterday, the Orleans Parish coronor's office attributed the death to a heart attack. He was found dead Wednesday at his residence, 4636 S. Claiborne, according to Sam Moran, coronor's investigator. Mrs. Fersch, the former Annabelle Flores. a senior at Loyola, found her husband dead at about 6:15 p.m. Dr. Fersch, who recieved his Ph.D. from Ohio University in 1968, was in his second year of teaching at Loyola. Dr. Fersch received his B.A. from Morris Harvey College in 1962 and his M.A. from Ohio University in 1965.v Funeral arrangements were incomplete at this writing. DR. PETER FERSCH Dr. Corrington sends response Dr. John W. Corrington, removed as chairman of the English department last Friday by the Rev. Joseph Tetlow, S.J., responded to the acting dean of the College of A&S in a 1 2-page letter issued Wednesday. In the letter, Dr. Corrington offered a detailed chronology of the case of faculty member Michel (Tom) Blouin, concluding with a personal address to Father Tetlow. (See page eight for complete text of letter.) There is some question as to whether Blouin, an English instructor, has tenure. He was terminated in May, 1969, but members of the English department, including Dr. Corrington, have protested, saying that he is tenured and the May action is not binding. Blouin has recently petitioned the University Rank and Tenure (R&T) Committee to hear his case. One of the points Dr. Corrington rhakes for Blouin in his letter is that the R&T Committee has yet to try the Blouin case, and that the committee's decision should be final, pending action by the Board of Directors, the legal operators of Loyola. Dr. Corrington also cites what he claims are the acting dean's misinterpretations of the rulings by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), verbal agreements with former dean of A&S Dr. Frank Crabtree and the oversights by Father Tetlow in his letter against Blouin. Father Tetlow, who earlier said he believed the Blouin case to be closed, reiterated this stand in an eight-page letter to Dr. C'orrington dated Feb. 23. (See Maroon, Feb. 27, for complete text of that letter.) Following the issuance of the letter, Father Tetlow met with the English faculty and student representatives Feb. 26. The result of that meeting was a unanimous vote of confidence on the part of his department for his retention as chairman of the department. The following morning. Father DIFFERENT MOODS —Students from the English department display various expressions as they listen to Father Joseph Tetlow, acting dean of A&S. Council passes Vera's motion on sanctions 3y ANNALYN SWAN (Maroon News Editor) A majority of Student Council members Tuesday expressed their desire to take a stance on protecting students' interests by passing an amended form of Alan Vera's motion on sanctions. The original motion introduced by Vera, A&S senior, was brought before the Council last week following passage of a program calling for increased communication on university policy. It advocated use of student sanctions to meet serious grievances not met by the university. The amended form of the motion (See p. 6 of February 27 Maroon for text) omits sections IV and V under economic sanctions, and section IV under registration sanctions. These sanctions involved boycotting classes, writing letters to incoming freshmen's parents about the current condition of Loyola and creating as much unfavorable publicity as possible. In amended form, the sanction concerning publicity states that the "Council shall publicize in as objective a manner as possible the issues at stake and the solutions called for by the Council." Also changed were passages calling for withholding of payments to the university. Instead of contacting freshmen prior to their arrival on campus, the Council would urge them to withhold fees once they arrived at Loyola. Also, letters written to alumni would not request that contributions to Loyola be stopped. The Council also passed unanimously a motion presented by Edgar (Dooky) Chase, Council treasurer, calling for a Student Council analysis of the Blouin case to be presented to the student body. The motion stipulates that this report include possible recommendations from the Council to the Board of Directors concerning action taken in regard to the Blouin case. The motion also requests that "in an effort to ease campus tensions and enlighten the student body concerning the condition of our academic community," Father Joseph Tetlow (Dean of A&S) and Dr. Corrington (former Hnglish department chairman) arbitrate their differences privately through a third party. Chase's motion also gives the Council's endorsement of the decision of the Very Rev. President Homer R. Jolley, S.J. to submit the Blouin Case to the Board of Directors. Although Chase's motion received unanimous approval, the motion on sanctions caused lengthy discussion between pro and con elements. Author Vera summed up the major points in favor of the motion. "The important thing in this doctrine," he said, "is not the actual sanctions enumerated here. The important thing is whether we do think we have the right to protect the student body by taking independent action." Ralph Adamo, A&S senior, added that the Council needed to take a stance. "If we pass the motion, the administration, faculty and student body would know exactly where we stand," he said. He also praised the definite guidelines for united student action provided in the sanctions. Charlie McGarahan, Council vice-president, repeatedly expressed opposition to the motion. "1 think that these sanctions that are called for in this motion are completely, entirely unworkable," he said. Other opposition was voiced by Bob Chopin, law school representative. Chopin said that Vera's motion was completely unnecessary because such action by the Council was already sanctioned by the Council statutes. In business following passage of the motions, the Council nominated Ralph Adamo, A&S senior, to speak at the annual awards convocation. Adamo's name will be submitted to Mrs. Neitzschmann, dean of women for approval. Council president Billy Guste announced that a special filing period for president and vice-president NEXT PRESIDENT?— Dooky Chase, BA junior, files for the office of Student Council president Tuesday in the Council office. Chase and running mate Pat O'Keefe, who filed for the vice presidency, were the only students to file for the positions. The Council announced, however, that filing has been extended through today. The office will be open from 1:30 to 2:30 this afternoon. (continued on page nine) (continued on page nine)