00:00:05.449 - 00:00:53.470

When you go in can happen here. But then where's my statement where here this is a statement we released to the press today. You may all know the new president of Rice University is Mr Dr Masterson, which had nothing, nothing whatsoever to

00:00:53.479 - 00:01:08.040

do with it. You know, Doctor Masterson has nothing to do with it. The statement says about, you know what, what it's really got to do with students and faculty alike have long been proud of the community that is Rice University, the community, it has been a

00:01:08.050 - 00:01:31.470

community composed of students, faculty and administration acting together in mutual trust, honesty and good faith. It was in this spirit that giving our consideration and time to the important task of presidential selection. We regret at this time that our good faith and our efforts have been

00:01:31.480 - 00:01:54.489

ignored. We sincerely hope that this event does not destroy the spirit of community which has made Rice University a truly excellent school and destroy the school itself. I have just said something very similar to Mr Allen on the board of trustees and he told me I

00:01:54.500 - 00:02:23.610

was overreacting. Well, I'll tell the story. Now, Greg White, where's Greg Oh, you Barry. OK, Barry who was on the committee to select the president, the student representative will explain to you what happened if anybody knows. OK. Uh from the beginning the OK, I'll just yell.

00:02:24.100 - 00:02:48.139

Um from the beginning of our committee, the faculty members of the committee and the students acted in concert. We were treated not as equals but as compatriots. If you understand what I mean, we were not condescended to in that advisory committee, the faculty welcomed us, sought

00:02:48.149 - 00:03:03.160

our, our, you know, our ideas, you know, as though we were one of them. In fact, we are one of them. In this situation, we investigated a great number of names. Some of the suggestions came from you. A large number came from the faculty. We, we

00:03:03.169 - 00:03:20.210

had researchers, we did real genuine work in good faith that the board would consult with us as they had promised to do so. The board did not meet for a long period of time. We sent repeated messages and letters to the board asking for a joint

00:03:20.220 - 00:03:41.720

meeting. This was in November and December to at least establish our position, our relationship. What was the formal relationship between us and the board committee? We still do not know although it's becoming more and more clear. Mm on February the 10th, in order to, as we

00:03:41.729 - 00:03:59.100

thought, go the board into action, we sent a letter to Mr Lovett who is in the hospital, poor man and to Mr Allen, who was his assistant suggesting five names that we had considered carefully who were not our final selection but who are people? We said

00:03:59.110 - 00:04:18.940

the board should begin to investigate. This was to get them moving. Uh on February 14th, which was as you recall, Friday, the board met, they read our letter. Mr Lovett told Mr Bratton what a lovely letter. That was. Yes, sir. The board chose William Masterson as

00:04:18.950 - 00:04:38.519

president in that meeting, irrevocably, Doctor Masterson had been down here. He had talked to Mr Lovett. He had been approached, he had been promised the presidency and he got it. Uh yesterday, Doctor Brat and the chairman of our committee who is probably the best man in

00:04:38.529 - 00:05:00.309

the university called an emergency meeting, called an emergency meeting of our committee to uh he didn't tell us why. It was clear he was unhappy. At 330 we met Mr Allen and Mr Teague of the board were there, Mr Allen gave us a song and dance

00:05:00.320 - 00:05:21.880

about how we needed to find men for the university we need. And I quote a strong hand on the tiller. Ladies and gentlemen, we are the tiller. Um He carried on that. We needed a president who was in good standing with the Houston community because after

00:05:21.890 - 00:05:36.440

all the Houston community gives us the most money of anybody else. All right, we didn't want any dirty outsiders. In other, in other words, he carried on at some length about this fine man that they had found, who turned out to be William Masterson. He told

00:05:36.450 - 00:05:56.070

us how well he got along with students, how well respected, how well respected he was by the faculty. OK? It was then our committee's turn for those of you who don't know the faculty is angry. OK? Uh For those, uh then it was our turn. We

00:05:56.079 - 00:06:13.480

went around the table in our committee, there were two members of our committee who were pleased more or less at the Masterson appointment at the man a they personally had nothing against him. When we had discussed Masterson earlier in a meeting, they had both been surprised

00:06:13.489 - 00:06:30.380

that there was so much animosity toward him had said, well, OK, let's forget him. Those two people and everyone else on the committee who were angry about Masterson in the first place were furious. We had not been consulted. We asked the board why they hadn't consulted

00:06:30.390 - 00:06:48.769

us? Mr Allen said because of the rush of events, what is this rush of events? Why did it have to be done so fast? We asked, he said, well, I really don't have a satisfactory answer for that. Um The professors on our committee including Dean Desio

00:06:49.140 - 00:07:21.100

of, you know Humanities, Doctor Salzburg, who is most eloquent explained to Mr Allen that there would be faculty resignations, not just, you know, unrest, a little unhappiness that uh Mr Diaz estimated that 12 full professors would resign immediately. Mr Allen. Mr Allen just tried to figure

00:07:21.109 - 00:07:43.010

out what percentage of the faculty, 12 full professors was OK. We carried on at some length about how we were unhappy with Mr Masterson and more specifically, and this was Doctor Watson's main contention that our first reaction was. Well, you've used us, we're up front, but

00:07:43.019 - 00:08:03.559

the fact of the matter is they didn't even use us. There was, there was no pretense, no pretense whatever that they actually had consulted us. Mr Allen at this point, a little coward en coursing Malcolm Lovett for being in the hospital and not there said, well,

00:08:03.570 - 00:08:24.160

I must admit, quote, we screwed up in this matter. Yes. Um We were at a meeting at 330 this afternoon which was with the uh committee of 11 who chose us, the college presidents, assorted people who got in that kind of thing with Bratton and Allen

00:08:24.459 - 00:08:42.919

Allen at that point, made a huge point of what a good President Masterson will be tried. We asked him about the procedure, explained to him that the feeling of community was, we feel irrevocably broken. We are betrayed. Mr Allen tried to convince us that this was

00:08:42.929 - 00:08:57.849

only one incident that it wasn't true that we would no longer be a community. But this after all was not very important because we've gotten a fine man as president. OK, I talked to Doctor Salzburg afterwards. I'm telling you everything. I know if I shouldn't be.

00:08:57.859 - 00:09:18.500

Well, it's too bad. Ok. Salzburg said, and he seems to know it's strange to have the big wheels on our side. Isn't it? Very strange? Um, he said the ca the faculty is 90% against the appointment. This 90% falls into two camps. One those who are

00:09:18.510 - 00:09:40.260

against the appointment, but do not want precipitate action unless that action will force Masterson to resign. Masterson has been on the phone with members of the faculty for the last day. He has said repeatedly, he will not resign under any circumstances. OK. So that's half the

00:09:40.270 - 00:10:15.979

other half of the faculty feels that the, that the principle of the thing is so important that we have been betrayed to such a great extent that they're willing to act anyway at this. Yeah, our budget, we didn't ask for a general election. What we had

00:10:16.320 - 00:10:32.070

were elected representatives of the faculty and elected representatives of the students who were to be consulted. We, you know, we're still, I don't think asking for a general election. I don't know. We haven't decided that yet, but we didn't ask for that. All we asked was

00:10:32.080 - 00:11:00.830

that the board come to us and say we're interested in this man. What do you think? They didn't do that? No, I'm sure, I don't know. But the committee was set up in good faith, but there is no president, president but they're large that have things

00:11:00.840 - 00:11:18.239

should get better primo, they gave their word and we gave our word in good faith that we would, you know, give them information if they would consult us. We tried, they did not that I think this kind of action would have been equally as distasteful on

00:11:18.250 - 00:11:32.640

any single faculty student faculty committee there that exists. Now, this wouldn't be accepted anywhere. I mean, you know, the students and faculty work together and they make recommendations and why change it. Now. I, I don't want to tell, I've spent, you know, almost four years here

00:11:32.650 - 00:11:48.369

working on committees, being officers of things under the impression that what I did was accepted by the university in good faith. I have not until this point felt that it was worthwhile to tear down the university, put up the barricades or whatever. You know, I'm not

00:11:48.380 - 00:12:24.169

even a member of the sds. As a matter of fact, they call me a liberal, I'm no longer a liberal other questions so I can get some of this one other thing. I am half an hour or 45 minutes. Whenever the faculty is through

00:12:24.179 - 00:12:41.780

with their first bit of talk, we're gonna invite them to come join us wall and machine. He didn't know. He said there's 90% against this. There are two camps but nobody can tell how big the camps are. He's only had a day on the phone after

00:12:41.789 - 00:13:12.320

all. Oh, I, I said crazy. There was a, a committee composed both of the faculty and the students which was considered and did have some voice or did make a statement. So I would like to say that there is a precedent for the students and the

00:13:12.330 - 00:13:29.070

faculty being considered at Rice University in the selection of the president. Yeah, they, we don't know, we presumably, I mean, you know, in the development of the thing you, you know, you talk with more people, you get more information in about it and you know what

00:13:29.080 - 00:14:52.669

the most logical thing to do is. And I think that's what's gonna happen at the faculty meeting. Can people are factoring me right now? You know, but was still walking in. OK. Not that mind. Sort of, that's, that's confidential of it, huh? All right.

00:14:53.250 - 00:15:13.859

All right. There are several things we wanna do to begin. All right. Mo more questions go ahead, you know, keep talking whatever. Yeah. Problem with Masterson is I don't think they realize. Mhm. No, it's just a thing. That's what I said in the statement. So, I

00:15:13.869 - 00:15:50.530

mean, you might take the time. Yeah. No, no idea. II, I think we'd be wasting our time at this point and I think it would violate what we're trying to establish. Here is the important point now. Yeah. As it, very, very, very, yeah, let's um, OK,

00:15:50.539 - 00:16:11.419

there are several things I think we have to do in order to be knowledgeable on the, on the, you know what's going on. One thing is we're gonna have a teach in tomorrow at, when? Where's Carolyn? Huh? Carolyn is gone. 1030. Ok. Where's Caroline? I want

00:16:11.429 - 00:16:25.929

to talk about it. Come on, in other words, to try to define some of these terms of, you know, authoritarian and whatever, all these things mean. Ok. So we all know what we're talking about. Um, second thing is we're gonna put out a special issue of

00:16:25.940 - 00:16:45.479

the thresher tomorrow and Dennis will follow Caroline with that. We're having a teach in tomorrow. We feel that moral outrage is not enough. At this point. We have, we have several people already who have volunteered to speak include including Warren and some other uh students. We're

00:16:45.489 - 00:17:01.760

trying to get faculty members to speak. We welcome anyone to speak who can present a cogent position on any of this, of authoritarianism in the university on uh the uh complicity of the trustees with the, with the administration in this matter. Anything you want to present

00:17:02.260 - 00:17:15.280

cogently shortly here at 1030 in the morning, please call me at the thresher office. I'll be there this evening and give me your name and just kind of what you want to talk about and we welcome you here. There's some of us who feel that even

00:17:15.290 - 00:17:42.839

just talking is not enough. Uh Mr Masterson will be here tomorrow at 12 o'clock at Cohen House for a press conference. Those of us who feel that talking is not enough. We greet Mr Masterson there and we welcome anyone to come with time? Thank you. Now

00:17:42.849 - 00:17:58.380

that you've heard the story from Barry in quick form, I'm gonna elaborate a little on what our committee actually did as another one of your uh representatives. We met initially and of course, we asked uh doctor Bra and sent out a letter to the faculty members

00:17:58.390 - 00:18:17.709

and we asked them for their recommendations and we also were taking recommendations from students and from these sources, we got about 60 names which we made uh dossier, we made a dossier on each of the names that which we had each of about 60 names. And

00:18:18.439 - 00:18:36.760

we, each member of our student faculty committee read through this dossier on the person. Uh and we rated them and made notes and then the five names that we, that we initially sent to the board were from this group. And we noted to the board that

00:18:36.770 - 00:18:57.479

they were very preliminary group. And at that time, we went ahead with further preparations in that uh Mr Cil contacted the Ford Foundation and set up appointment, an appointment, doctor bro and set up an appointment with Logan Wilson, who's the head of American Education Association, et

00:18:57.609 - 00:19:20.420

cetera, et cetera. We uh framed a list of university presidents from which to solicit opinions. And we were also, we're taking some suggestions from uh the president of Michigan State president of uh other U universities of that kind. Now, at this time that, that we were

00:19:20.430 - 00:19:41.520

doing this as far as we knew, the board had not met at all, their committee of nine. And we were mostly worried about the fact that we thought that they weren't doing anything at all. And it, as it turned out what they were doing was they

00:19:41.530 - 00:20:03.010

were having a telephone conversation. And, uh, but the first meeting that they had was one evidently in Malcolm Lovett's hospital room. And that is the same meeting at which they brought up the name of Mr Masterson and they approved the name of Mr Masterson unanimously. Now

00:20:03.020 - 00:20:21.459

they, they in all fairness, they did look at the names that this preliminary group that came from the faculty of which we chose five, this group of five they did look at and they had, they did know about these people and whether they were available, at

00:20:21.469 - 00:20:37.020

least in a superficial sense, they had made some calls on each of these uh initial five people. And I think it, that is important to, to make that point that they didn't just totally ignore this list of people that we, that we gave them. Now a

00:20:37.119 - 00:20:58.880

another uh I, I think that perhaps you missed the point also that uh yesterday was a rather a stormy session of our faculty committee with Miss uh with Herbert Allen and Mr Teague there. And it took a great long time actually to get them to admit

00:20:58.890 - 00:21:13.680

that they had in fact, made a mistake. And we spent most of the time, you know, going over and over this and it was really somewhat of a victory on Doctor Bratton's part when he finally got Mr Allen to say, you know, well, we admit we

00:21:13.689 - 00:21:37.219

screwed up. So, uh, that's another point. Uh, so far as, as I have been concerned so far, talking to students, uh, the situation seems to have deteriorated today and that people are, you know, came up to me, I increasingly alarmed and, uh, that, as you can

00:21:37.229 - 00:22:23.640

probably tell by people who are here. So that's, that's a little more elaboration on what we were doing. It, does this bring up any more questions that I could answer? Yeah. Yes, I'm sorry. Well, we'll be together folks. I don't know. You know, Mr Pifer is

00:22:23.650 - 00:23:05.910

here. That's right. This rapid package will not be same and, oh, I, I think students in the factory, like, have a real responsibility to express dissent where, where there is a descent. Yeah. I mean, you know, all right, man. Well, that I didnt know is, uh,

00:23:06.760 - 00:23:29.680

the basis on his coming here. Uh, this is quite a different matter and it's certainly, uh, your prerogative and your responsibility and funnier. I have nothing funny to say. I, I, that, that's it. I mean, the set is in but, uh, can't be clean telling, you

00:23:29.689 - 00:23:59.770

know, uh, don't get yourself dismissed for having done the right thing, the wrong way. I want that. Uh, I, I made a very for, I hope it wasn't a Freudian slip when I use the term dismissed. I mean to, to be discounted, not, I'm not talking

00:23:59.780 - 00:24:42.959

about being dismissed from university. Uh you know, by, by no means, yes, probably, yeah, not first against Mr Masterson but against the actions of the board. Therefore, I feel it would be ill advised to demonstrate against Mr Masterson at this time if, if we against the

00:24:42.969 - 00:25:25.209

border. Well, the reason is administration about dismissing people, um a lot about people that cause them just apply. I like young lady that made the remark that there will definitely appear in the threshold tomorrow. An article of repudiating the appointment, I would like to know if

00:25:25.219 - 00:25:46.079

the opposite opinion will also be allowed to be expressed in the threshold, the threshold just yeah. Ok. The thresher is coming out with a special edition tomorrow. We don't have enough people to take care of it. I'm asking for about 50. We need people on the

00:25:46.089 - 00:25:59.560

telephone, we need people on the typewriter and I really have no, no criterion for what's, what's in it. I mean, I'm ready to accept both if there are two sides. If there are five sides, I think it'd be better if they were all in. I really

00:25:59.569 - 00:26:55.920

do. Yes. Good for her. Hello. Why uh was uh no longer two? I don't see it have to be a mass person. Neither one could be considered anything but a very thorough. Administrator. Thorough. Yeah. No, it's good. Have to be ok

00:26:55.930 - 00:27:13.140

if I could tell you a little bit more in this edition of The Threshold, which will probably be at least two pages, maybe longer, depending on how many people we get. We need people, as I say on the typewriter on the telephone, we need people to

00:27:13.150 - 00:27:26.619

show up. I'm going over there and most of my staff will be over there right after this meeting, right after the faculty meeting, we're going to start on it. Our deadline is eight o'clock tomorrow morning. We're probably going to be working all night virtually anybody whether

00:27:26.630 - 00:27:43.660

you're ever been on the thruster staff or not. It's welcome. The building closes at 11 o'clock when we have a key to the building. So the threshold office will be open from after this meeting until about noon tomorrow. I would say if you want to do

00:27:43.670 - 00:28:05.180

something, if you want to write anything, we need people. And that includes every people of every, you know, any opinion about this thing at all. I really have no qualifications for staff members whatsoever. Chuck or the top over any disruption. But he kind of like another

00:28:05.310 - 00:28:19.329

factor. If uh the administration thought he was such a damn good administrator, then why did they feel the need to a cram down a crow without the approval of the committee which was supposed to approve in the beginning? He is as good as I like to

00:28:19.339 - 00:28:35.750

know why they feel need resort of a sudden they start attacking. Thank you. You should have, could I say something about that? Um I think that you might want to know that Miss Doctor Masterson uh has been fully appraised of the situation as it exists. I

00:28:35.760 - 00:28:56.369

think he really understands what it is here. In other words, the way we feel and uh eno enough faculty members have called him. So that uh one would think that, well, just about anybody else in his position would uh refuse, uh you know, withhold his acceptance

00:28:56.380 - 00:29:15.290

of the position. And uh doctor Masterson uh refuses to do that. Chuck to answer your question a little bit more directly. I don't, it's my opinion. My name is Bill Gland and I was at the meeting this afternoon, but the board was not trying and it

00:29:15.300 - 00:29:32.800

was not the intention to cramp the man down the throat. I don't think this is a really good atmosphere to say this, but I would, I would caution people not to get too incensed at the board. They're not doing this to make you mad or to

00:29:32.810 - 00:29:54.800

insult you. It's like, it's like Paul Newman said, cool hand. Look what you've got here is a failure to communicate. And the point is I've got some hope. I don't want to see the university torn apart, but I don't want to see our tradition and our

00:29:54.810 - 00:30:08.630

trust betrayed, but I think that we can work it out a little bit. If we can just try to communicate. I've tried to talk with Mr Tea after the meeting and some of my words did not seem to mean the same thing to him as they

00:30:08.640 - 00:30:33.849

mean to me. And I, I think, I really think that we can, if we can try to get together and come to something that the, the board will listen. I hope so, but I will not accept. Um Yeah, communication was not tried by, by either party.

00:30:34.119 - 00:30:54.479

Very sad that they, they sent by names to get the board moving. They hadn't heard before and the board didn't send back the other name because it didn't think about it. This is our objection to the way the board thinks and that that can be changed.

00:30:54.489 - 00:31:20.339

I think, I think we can save it, but this place won't be the same without advocating any disruption nor advising against it. I would like to take issue with a couple of the things that Bill said one as from my involvement in this situation and in

00:31:20.349 - 00:31:39.109

the recent situation over the issue of the policy statement on student disorders, I don't feel as the result of my experience that this is indeed completely a lack of communications. I do agree with Bill that we do think differently. And I think that this is the

00:31:39.119 - 00:32:00.020

basic problem. They have one concept of the university and I hope that many of you share with many of us who have tried to represent you another concept of the university I envision, I think that Scarron has hit upon it quite clearly when he has stated

00:32:00.030 - 00:32:21.229

that our concept of the university consists of one of the university being a community and in a community, the members of the community participate in the decisions that affect the very fundamental nature of that community. And I certainly feel that the selection of the president of

00:32:21.239 - 00:32:40.920

the university is a most fundamental decision. And I feel that what the board has done by this example is to convince at least me and I think, convince some other people too that they don't see this university as a community. They don't see this university as

00:32:40.930 - 00:32:58.500

something in which we can all participate and then we can together reach the decisions that affect our education and our lives. I think that there is that the next question that comes to everyone's mind is what is the way out? Are we, you know, in fact,

00:32:58.510 - 00:33:20.430

faced with a an accomplished fact, is there no hope of getting out of the situation? And I can't say if indeed Doctor Masterson is the honorable person whom they have told us that he is. If Doctor Masterson has the best interests of the university community at

00:33:20.439 - 00:33:40.050

heart, then I can hardly see how Doctor Masterson can accept the position like this, considering what has occurred. And that the very nature of the university committee was violated in the decision making process that brought him here. I think what we would like to do is

00:33:40.060 - 00:34:12.110

to demonstrate to the board, to demonstrate to Doctor Masterson, to whom I'm sure it is already clear at this point that we object very fundamentally with this way of governing a university community. It's not usually with, thank you so much for elaborating on the relationship between

00:34:12.120 - 00:34:43.779

mastery. Um Leaving right, his position is master and handsome. OK. Certain restrictions concerning the Count that Richard that I mean that is another point. I I think that it would do. You're right. It's completely involved here. I think though that that we have the most, we

00:34:43.789 - 00:35:03.719

have the most defensible position in objecting to the manner in which this is done. And I I can see really no, no good that we will do by uh discussing Doctor Masterson's conduct in Hanson College. I am from Hanson College. I was a freshman when he

00:35:03.729 - 00:35:32.929

was there and I am most disturbed about both aspects of the selection, how it was done and who the man is and I will let it go at that. Yes, this is what our opinion will be warmed, disposed. Uh The moister. My concern is leg man

00:35:33.370 - 00:36:07.100

like we might. What effect is coming? They don OK, bye. No, my John. Um tomorrow at the tea cha this is a come on, I think that this would be an appropriate subject for discussion and I will try to consult with some of the other people

00:36:07.110 - 00:36:44.820

who are in Hanson College so that we can get more than my biased view on this particular subject. Yeah. Ok. Very where it was. She's not here. Yeah. And anyone who, what, what, um, well, this is semi confidential. You know, I, I don't know exactly. I,

00:36:44.830 - 00:37:05.120

I can't tell you, you know, who said what and all that. But, uh, the point was, uh, made, as Barry said, two faculty members were, uh, reasonably happy with Masterson and, uh, of the four others, there was a good deal of unhappiness and one person just

00:37:05.129 - 00:37:32.389

casually threw out the remark that if Masterson came, half the academic, uh, faculty would resign. And that seemed to, uh, you know, given the quality of the, uh, alternatives which we are considering that seemed, uh, enough to just drop in, prepare for doctor Matic that minute.

00:37:34.159 - 00:38:43.439

Uh, no, he w he won't be here until next June or until next year. As far as I know, June 1st is the set ho telling you creative. Yeah. Um, when I think you haven't, I

00:38:43.580 - 00:39:14.080

just said no, what are we? Right? I'm gonna, you call a meeting here? I'd like to call a meeting in the Student Association tomorrow at noon where we would consider the question as to whether or not we want to accept from our point of view, the

00:39:14.090 - 00:39:40.110

appointment of Mr Masterson as president of the university. Huh? Why at one, the press will be here at 12. He's got ones his thing at noon. All right, one o'clock, one, the students are not all here. I wanted, the press is going to be there tomorrow

00:39:40.120 - 00:40:05.840

at one and everyone will be able to get there by then. Then we'll decide right as to why the law committee were against master something that could be considered. Well, I can't quite understand how any student member of the committee, with the exception of the seniors

00:40:05.850 - 00:40:30.189

could have so 34 of the student body, 75%. No, I think it's a consideration again, could be made very obvious that what we are voting on is whether or not this man was chosen by the procedure that was promised us during. All right, that's what we

00:40:30.199 - 00:41:16.760

will vote on. We rejected on those terms. It's, you said it was ridiculous to vote on that. Did you say it's ridiculous to vote on that renown? 35? Same. Maybe I All right. Let me come. Right. Right now. It's the issue isn't the

00:41:16.770 - 00:41:28.320

man. I don't think so much because the, the way he was chosen and, and right now we're really campaigning for a very lofty ideal and that's trust. This is, this is something that I think we have a lot going for us. You should have seen Harry

00:41:28.330 - 00:41:40.909

Allen when he saw how insulted all of us were at that meeting. He looked like a little kid that had broken the cookie jar and, and we have the faculty on our side now and they're, they're in favor of us. I certainly think we can get

00:41:40.919 - 00:41:53.110

the press, at least with us, or at least to give us a fair, fair deal. And we can even try to get some of the community on our side around here. But while we're, while we're campaigning for this lofty idea, we don't want, we don't, we

00:41:53.120 - 00:42:07.429

can meet here in the quadrangle tomorrow and we can, we can express our displeasure. The only thing that we want to watch out for is don't have, don't let the lofty ideal degenerate into violence because then we're gonna lose the faculty and we're gonna lose the

00:42:07.439 - 00:42:20.530

community, we're gonna lose the press and we're gonna lose our lofty ideal. But as long as we maintain that, as long as we're crusading for the trust that we have, we've not had between the administration, between the, the board and the rest of the university and

00:42:20.540 - 00:43:13.219

I think we'll succeed, but we have to keep it on that plane. OK. It's been why plan, why to it's been suggested that it's been suggested that as chairman of the college presidents, I should mention

00:43:13.229 - 00:43:31.639

something about the way the college presidents feel as a group, all I can say is that we played a fundamental part in convincing each of you that we would be listened to, that we would be heard and all we can say is we're sorry, we apologize.

00:43:31.860 - 00:43:53.570

We were duped. There's nothing else to say about that. We talked with the group today as has been suggested has been told many times, Mr Allen stood before us and effectively said if we weren't such a smart bunch of people and such a wise group and

00:43:53.580 - 00:44:18.610

if we hadn't made such a wise choice, we would have come to you and asked your opinion. What can you say? He finally stood up and he says, obviously you're displeased. And I'm sorry, we thank him for his concern and we're sorry, but we have to

00:44:18.620 - 00:44:39.169

do something. The colleges tonight hopefully will foster some more discussions. Each of the college presidents will try to encourage those people who have some bit of knowledge of what is going on to relate this to those in the colleges, those people who are not here today.

00:44:40.310 - 00:44:54.810

I suggest that each of you come to the teach in tomorrow. I was, I was here two years under Doctor Masterson. I have many opinions of the man, but this is not the place to discuss them tomorrow at the teach. And I'm sure that many more

00:44:54.820 - 00:45:07.850

people will be there. I understand Warren is going to try to get in touch with some of the alumni of Hanson College and other people who had much to do with him and we'll give you more information. Then the college presidents want to make one other

00:45:08.260 - 00:45:23.030

point, very clear that is the fact. Right now we have the faculty on our side. Let's not do anything that will destroy this. We can get something done. As long as we work together, the faculty and the students are displeased. Let's keep it that way and

00:45:23.040 - 00:45:53.800

not split ourselves off. That is the way we feel right now. Ok. Ok. Sure. All right. We have just three quick things and that's all. And then I'd like to ask you all of you who feel like it,

00:45:53.810 - 00:46:06.540

it's quit raining if you would go over to the chem lecture hall and wait for the faculty on the other side of the street and ask them what they think about it afterwards after they're out of their meeting. Ok. I'm gonna ask that all people who

00:46:06.649 - 00:46:19.100

we will accept all statements, but I'd like all statements from students to come through one office and that through the student association. So we know what we have to answer. So, and any statement you wanna make from any organization is fine. I just wanna know, you

00:46:19.110 - 00:46:32.750

know. So I know they start calling back and say, who made it? Ok. Uh The station, the radio station will be open all night tonight and we'd like people who want to come in and operate it. Um And talk, there's gonna be a forum that'll go

00:46:32.760 - 00:46:48.790

on most of the night. Right. Stewart. OK. Uh So maybe some of those college presidents would come back and talk about it, let me say one thing about it. I need one person from each college to see me so we can get the reception as best

00:46:48.800 - 00:47:01.850

we can in all the colleges so that you can listen to what's going on and keep abreast of what's going on everywhere. And if some, one representative from each college will meet me down here after it's dismissed, we'll get it set up. We're gonna go on

00:47:01.860 - 00:47:21.189

the air at eight o'clock and we're gonna go on as long as there's any need to or any reason to at all. So if someone from each college will please meet me down here so we can get it set up so everybody can hear it. That's

00:47:21.540 - 00:47:55.110

where you, that's good. Where are you teaching is here in the dam. It really takes a lot of garbage. Uh You know, I do and then I got Hammond. Can you get hammonds? OK. It'll have to be here. It has to be here. OK. I also

00:47:55.120 - 00:48:12.709

have just so everyone can read it and also sign it. There's a petition that essentially is a statement we've released to the press today. I'd like you all to sign it as you leave. Uh read it again. All right. OK. Students and faculty alike have long

00:48:12.719 - 00:48:28.469

been proud of the community that is Rice University. It has been a community composed of students, faculty and administration acting together in mutual trust, honesty and good faith. It was in this spirit that we accepted the responsibility for giving our consideration and time to the important

00:48:28.479 - 00:48:49.050

task of presidential selection. We regret that at this time, our good faith and our efforts have been ignored. We sincerely hope that this event does not destroy the spirit of the community which has made rice a truly excellent school. Thank you. We got one sign in

00:48:49.060 - 00:49:36.590

the car down the street cat going out on the line. I can watch him for a second. I'm just gonna make a phone call. You gotta try my for trying to do. Ok, thank you. Yeah, all of them. Ok. Several things have happened all the work

00:49:40.350 - 00:50:03.530

morning. Probably that kind of probably you can buy it or the more, you know, basically, you know, reading was yesterday and things that short I just think of the problem talking about is very widespread that we've had good public or people like if you have a

00:50:03.550 - 00:50:24.399

very good case of preventing it. Well, so I think that uh the strongest one we have now. Yeah. And I think we've got it very basically. And just the way we, we are here, I have some, some kinds of announcements. I wanna make indicate the amount

00:50:24.550 - 00:51:00.270

of work we've got to the clinic where you all the kitchen. Yeah, agreed to have lunch from 1215, 1230 to 115. Secondly, we have the full support of the security who are guarding us from any car that might have struck our margin and down the floor,

00:51:00.290 - 00:51:21.149

maybe 1 ft some general things about. First of all, I think it's very important for you to have to make a con the individual understanding and commitment to the, to the third baby that you're trying to do to get it great in each of our minds.

00:51:21.159 - 00:51:41.429

Exactly what it is we want and you all, you know, we discuss in the college the next class, especially next week we start class, whatever, where is willing to speak about it. Let's talk about it. There, there are certain people that the public on the, that

00:51:42.219 - 00:51:57.459

I'm wondering exactly what's going on. So I'd like to have volunteers to establish the plan of the communications bureau. In other words, if people ask us for information, I'd like to send out to that, to uh the news conferences, whatever it might be explained exactly what

00:51:58.780 - 00:52:29.629

mistake the people who would volunteer on the office would get with your name. Done. Oh, yeah, I was, I was supposed to remind everyone that even even the Chronicle last night helped special edition. Ok. Let me, let me assure if there are any of you that

00:52:29.639 - 00:52:45.550

feel that we are trying to, that anyone here or any of these people here are trying to take over this thing. Let me assure you. Well, at any point, I want you to get, if you think we're doing an entirely wrong thing and let, let's hear

00:52:45.560 - 00:53:03.760

about it come up with the o let's talk about it if you want to. Well, it would be hard for me with the last, it's very strong. So this is your baby, not mine or any single group of this cancer. There is no longer a fact

00:53:04.120 - 00:53:52.139

that we've got to avoid at this time of the day, we got back to 19 which and a half and half a year getting into the rather than all that we have. I want you to that. The first thing the doctor back my chair out

00:53:52.149 - 00:54:27.280

here, let me say, uh speak simply as a chairman of the departments. You must drive Wikipedia too big Thursday of next week, we have invited a prospective property. You visited the campus engineer for possession. The problem facing our department is whether we can in honor, invite

00:54:27.610 - 00:55:04.520

us out of respect for his professional integrity to join this university. Um The second issue that immediately it fronts every at this university has to do with whether the members of the, the the staff will remain here. This past year two of our most value, the

00:55:04.540 - 00:55:35.510

part that were repeatedly spot by a major institution and to our great fortune, they decided to remain with the right had they foreseen the events of last week. I have no doubt that their decision would have been. It seems to me that this is without a

00:55:35.520 - 00:56:42.310

doubt, the most critical period of this institution like I will go on record if this appointment, it is not 12. This university can forget about any pretensions whatsoever. The style Dr Jim Costa chairman of Yeah, I'm certain it's starting and your applause

00:56:42.320 - 00:57:21.610

will not be volume when I finish. Um I'm in total business relevant to react to this comment. I simply go on with my, the white spontaneous I might, you are, I'm sure they're fine providing part of our reaction. We all know. I know but all those,

00:57:21.620 - 00:57:45.209

on the contrary of the possession taken by Professor Ward when I heard yesterday of the appointment with doctor P and I was overjoyed beyond belief because the the the bag in my head is recommended. OK, to contact to report. Thanks to the student faculty committee, I'd

00:57:45.219 - 00:58:10.870

like to add at this point. Also that I too agreed. I voted accordingly. That's the procedural part of this appointment. It wrong was wrong, deserves to be criticized, had been criticized and has been acknowledged as an error by the prestige with whom I personally have spoken.

00:58:14.229 - 00:58:44.659

I would like to when university you carry and I'm sure we'll continue to be the function of the to make the appointment. My comment at this point is simply that I cannot see why students and back to your as a blanket cover. But I don't see

00:58:44.669 - 00:59:09.870

why the per se has always made the over always to be a negative factor in whatever is done. I personally, as a faculty member at the joint work I work for while I'll still be here, criticize certain action. I'd like to say that I don't want

00:59:09.879 - 00:59:41.330

this to be branded by you. How I want to thank you for giving movement of program. But students think on tissues as they come up. Not IP thanks. I catch with you. Good night. I'm sure that I found the way most of you knew about Vietnam

00:59:42.709 - 01:00:06.959

Society. I don't think here today, I'm but then the issue with the appointment of Doctor Masterson and brother while you try you, I am happy about the appointment back. Yeah, I have one further comment and maybe one of our main reasons for being happy about the

01:00:06.969 - 01:00:32.830

appointment. He said, I have hope ever since I've been writing that if you the president of this university, I'm happy about this. I rather than react to what we marked the day before, simply want to 0.1 thing out in my life. And I believe that I

01:00:32.840 - 01:00:58.659

have to experience that. Do you know in my mind? I'm sure that the faculty student getting was something that was not open minded with any consideration whose name was presented to the what? 80. Uh I think that whereas people can say that the trustees are not

01:00:58.669 - 01:01:18.219

to be trusted and their decisions are not to be accepted. That one could also in looking for heaven, the composition of the student faculty see certain elements of unfairness to the bad out my only point is that while joining you in the first motion extension of

01:01:18.229 - 01:01:56.189

the procedure, I simply as a faculty member represent the father in extreme happiness that we were born on him. Given Dr Baer said as president at moment along with protesting the procedure for accepting the ban because I think thanks for writing. Let me try four.

01:01:57.669 - 01:02:58.560

Oh, basically the same as the point go down. People come up to the office, the S A office, we research that speaker Sociology. Let me correct. As for you, the next time I go on a Tuesday or a third, it, I'm assuming I've chosen for my

01:02:58.600 - 01:03:40.379

texts this morning. Yeah, but I, I can speak c maybe w I think were violating the fact but the fact that they either occupied without public jurisdiction and power or discover that in time their supposed voice as the, I would like it presently five minutes. And

01:03:40.389 - 01:04:07.139

we are in the process of struggling about our whole voice and it says at any rate, it has been appealed by the board. Oh, sudden irritation like 900 which we have witnessed in the last several hours. I'm not best friends with that. I have not given

01:04:08.669 - 01:04:44.080

serious question of how it is. Why? So, why not? We right here, we do the fact which should have how long I, which I maybe down about three oclock consider. Yeah, probably a day or week and begin to arrive at some intelligent and surgery in front

01:04:44.090 - 01:05:17.340

of you. Let me start by applying to university. Five. You how thing clearly and how we need? Ok. This time, I imagine the definition of of what university, whether it's your perception. The first minister, another question, the Harvard University that consist of without the university in

01:05:17.459 - 01:05:51.260

the the modern university might also consist of buildings, secretariat furniture, all sorts of micro vitamin K strippers and then what security controls the market man and alumni. But if it's not all you say you have, you like those academy, the oncologist had no more to bear

01:05:53.679 - 01:06:31.330

administration group, you can assemble. So I in my work, what about students and teachers? I think it would be straight in the limit of the English language. If you call at the university, there are some next. But if what I said so far better and some

01:06:31.340 - 01:06:50.330

of the less it seems to be a point where you have lost the form of some of the back. Well, are you married? I'm suggesting that the manner in which the Board of Trustees and biomass to f to receive the university first as a business corporate

01:06:51.290 - 01:07:12.239

as to say, even even such far reaching ones back to the life first team and by the announced and ratified by the general mass of the boy seems to me, however, that a great deal of violence is done to a university. My sense of the term

01:07:12.250 - 01:07:38.090

teachers and students to industry is simply as another business corporation, I feel that the most market leaders do have a say incidentally, not simply the right to be consulted. That time, we say to our President Mr B, we start with uh I been three work or

01:07:38.149 - 01:08:03.870

is the question of e 25 minutes responsible for determining the collective climate of the university for? Right. That was the time when we started with, I had it in freedom, the substance. What I'm saying is essential no matter how small our academic difference guaranteed on paper.

01:08:04.489 - 01:08:33.108

If the fee, the president of extent with exercise is not at some point possible to the university student, we have no guarantee all the supply all make sure your mother is a master of them. What you know, I was brought to now while the issue is

01:08:33.168 - 01:09:01.200

that writer that a constructive writing university in such a way as security of the president but university as well as at this point, it seems that the name not only remembering of the presidential selection system represent the body, the professor with exercise morning, that the teaching

01:09:01.209 - 01:09:53.790

in the pro George Bars, graduate representative, the president. Just watching, I've been told to keep it very short. So it's not to play. I I didn't want to say any words about what boy uh we know that start

01:09:54.169 - 01:10:22.609

times or last Wednesday, we sent the board a very tentative list of five names of possible candidates that we thought that both the R and the pro study for perhaps support later on. Oh, and they, the fire doctor manage and they not gonna have to do

01:10:26.140 - 01:11:01.700

and by several people and it might have been discussed, but that doesn't what you part of our reading for sending this list in the first place was to try and get to variety. Right. Ok. For this was that the insured her mother was in the hospital.

01:11:05.069 - 01:11:40.850

Uh, anyway, we wanted to the border the news, not only again, anticipating having to join me. Would you play it shortly to discuss the procedural? And this Thursday afternoon, I can't get through all the story about dot Let it, we are I with you, Mr Allen.

01:11:45.990 - 01:12:37.830

Mr Alex spoke said four daughter criticism of the choice on the leaders, a great deal of the fire of the choice. Yeah. OK. The trustees told us that Mr Mason had been go ahead but make the no or not. So the car more. There are really

01:12:37.839 - 01:13:00.629

good questions here. Most of us think that the board operate in the worst possible manner, but it's doubtful that the criticism. So allow that talk, the campus. We uh need to think of war said just exactly what we want and what you want to come on

01:13:00.640 - 01:13:43.100

this list. And truly, we want to make the board. Don't consider that right. Um They all play do, right? I do very well. And the question is whether or not she does, we uh have to ask ourselves whether not bad enough to make all probably worthwhile.

01:13:43.720 - 01:14:49.330

I don't but, and I think it will do well in the pocket. Yeah. The greater study, thoughtful master or in any direction. University. Now on top of us just explain to me can go OK to make. OK, then mama Ge I possible like maybe what friends

01:14:52.609 - 01:16:02.279

I've never been. Yeah. Thank you. OK. The ID and, and community with any of them we could react. Yeah, and not be taco my best say to you I feel is the nature, right? And and positive vision of the nation. It is very possible for

01:16:02.290 - 01:16:56.899

students and faculty by the please. Oh, fail division and definitions of universe. I think it's do and proud to be presented proudly to the public. You fry oh we all important the act. Very big. OK. You desire uh then yeah, tutor five, control the consumption.

01:16:57.830 - 01:17:55.430

What we have the unite in a real with in the i financial definition of definitely the second but I feel about this one pretty content. Doctor Bender. Professor M I. Yeah, I would like to say yesterday and I by her name

01:17:55.439 - 01:18:32.290

was you. I because what me to have done that to me that it is not and more are the first possible way to become out of the and then his father emergency situation. You very it is also the case that we made the to refer and

01:18:32.339 - 01:19:24.709

fire. Bye it is that we do that before at this time, are not but are by individual in the community. We get out, he talk to try involved in the, it is not evolve. Here are the right of the body, not to make the decision, but

01:19:24.720 - 01:19:51.200

whereby the movement in the making of that was acknowledged by the board in it. I the point with the b they did, I forget, you know, perfectly reflected the way I know. Well, in fact, and appointed by the people possible manner and it was the only

01:19:51.209 - 01:20:25.709

committee authorized by the board that the committee involved in the final debate is the only decision of any plan by the board of this matter. Completely ignored. That made a big there. We and the, yeah of your car. Now, what they are that we must conduct

01:20:25.720 - 01:21:30.160

ourselves in the best possible way. I keep this, I, you can't come back at all. You the, that we what you both, ok. I, ok, I think it's wrong for that. This, that right.

01:21:32.770 - 01:22:18.680

I from the north. So I'm all four was not trying to cross the ball. Thank you back. And when you made fire accommodating exactly that you have the space. And the second point I'd like to make is that the board did and they did.

01:22:20.560 - 01:22:42.169

And the more that you can say, understanding more, the fact that and only then would go, but the fact thought they were going to think about it. Again now, perhaps or was or did not make himself clear. I don't think you can say that religion violation

01:22:44.410 - 01:23:18.399

a the three in publicity was release in the newspapers and the immigration of all or all the pressure rather than constructive argument. Right. Trying to work in this race rather than cooperating. We talk about mutual product and cooperating in conscience and yet we run off are

01:23:19.240 - 01:23:45.080

more trust de violating our freedom. Well, I think the lack of process always found in the future. I think that a lot of people here want to force the administration back to the wall. This and many other issues go back. And rather than, rather than a

01:23:45.089 - 01:24:01.370

subjective argument, I think the credit package we're gonna use here, this is what's going to destroy the very thing that we wanna keep. Now as far as the resolution, there are two things about it. One is if he wants for to reconsider, he wants to document

01:24:01.379 - 01:24:34.370

it. If he wants to make, he signed a position for making, I think the honor that is an honor doctor way. I think we should now any ri the formulation university policy by four back, the fact that he does have a right to want to assume

01:24:34.490 - 01:25:15.439

before because the the action based on this understanding had no right, other than work more rather right or the work that tries to do what we OK, Bruce Williams, I made a will take issue with the speaker who proceeded me on

01:25:15.450 - 01:25:40.950

several points. It seems we are caught in a very unfortunate situation at this point. This is due to a tremendous lack of understanding, uh in my opinion, principally smart as for to go the support of governors in this matter. Well, I think essentially what is that

01:25:40.959 - 01:26:01.240

question? There is possibly the way this university to a great extent. I think they have a tendency to look at their managing the financial affairs and picking a president whenever is absolutely necessary, which traditionally has been the times 12 on one lead. And then if the

01:26:01.250 - 01:26:20.020

president establish a real good relationship with him and then turn the books and let him run the university, something that is often left out of this relationship that they intend to have witness for is the student factor relationship with them. I think it's really good too.

01:26:22.890 - 01:26:39.740

Uh The way students could possibly pursue one of two courses with respect, one would be to glad they throw out of the band in the university, which seems to be the vogue in many universities. But this, I think in this respect would be almost still aside

01:26:39.799 - 01:27:02.830

on what we want. At least this has been in effect a really bad year for board of trustees and board the Governors across the nation. And I think you say that our Board of Governors is not reacting to this. It has been a lot, I would

01:27:02.850 - 01:27:22.569

say the one they seem to have the opinion. And this was expressed yesterday that a university with no president in inviting. Secondly, they have an effect in the door, the firm hand on the approach to the university. So both of these I would say would possibly

01:27:22.580 - 01:27:44.310

be the speaking in this respect. Rice University in the next 10 years could be embarking on just the approach to greatness to national greatness and the prison. We have seem to be very important. This demonstration state could have really effect that go beyond today tomorrow or

01:27:44.319 - 01:28:02.830

this year, it could go on into this 10 year. Hopefully, we can do something about the current appointment, but in the event that we cannot do this, this is something that is very, we would make orderly at all times. We're gonna be outside quote the president

01:28:02.899 - 01:28:24.470

first shot and any bit of disrupting this might have heard at this time. But it could just be the faster you can be inside in effect, formulating policy making policy problem. And if we could do anything to establish a lot of people, anything undesirable like this

01:28:25.640 - 01:28:50.830

disruption on that side, but its its effect could really be time. Yeah, situation beyond the two, something that can be accomplished today and hopefully will, will be agreed. Maybe we could make the board of Governors real we take that would be a future victory if we

01:28:50.839 - 01:29:08.790

could. To this, I think possibly a major consequence of the demonstration. I'm trying to get a little grief at this point. And just simply that if we can come, I'll make the board address the thinking terms, the next president and something more than their relationship and

01:29:08.799 - 01:29:49.410

him to possibly realize that the student, in fact, these relationships with the next president, we will have a confidence while doctor core professor of law and fire, I want to make the line very brief. It seems to me there are two issues here. One

01:29:49.419 - 01:30:13.379

is what we might call the issue of good process. Uh This uh and I use the terms and process because there is, has been a procedure uh establish by the trustees evolving library committee uh composed the company and uh OK. OK. Some, this has been said

01:30:13.470 - 01:30:40.180

by it is not something this particular form of choosing a president was used in choosing president pitcher the poor therefore, and meeting yesterday that they had made a mistake, really had no place to stand on in terms of the precedent which they have set themselves new

01:30:40.189 - 01:31:12.669

process cannot do mark associated. Uh in this case, from the Henry C, a reward of a violation of due process. In order the problem here uh In saying that the administration of this university might be embarrassed for the simple reason that we are accustomed in our

01:31:12.680 - 01:31:59.620

society to rehearsing unjust violations of new processes point. And perhaps an even more important one involves the future of this university if you don't to be poised forever on the threshold of ra OK. I think we are running into the danger of ensuring that we find

01:31:59.629 - 01:32:24.319

ourselves in that situation that the entire, the entire procedure here uh is set in itself an important precedent for the future in terms of modern questions and power. A lot of questions uh was the market for which like the question of the failure of file, the

01:32:24.330 - 01:33:02.089

failure of the administration to consider the significance of f is a critical issue here which I think uh is relating. Well, I want to thank all of our speakers for presenting their viewpoints today and we now turn this meeting over to Warren Gret. All right.

01:33:10.959 - 01:33:56.970

Really neat. What do you want? You were, who is that? Um Well, OK, I wanna say in alternative to this gentleman, I'd like to express my apologies to public and the life. I don't have a microphone. Uh Paul Malloy has asked me to speak. He, he

01:33:56.979 - 01:34:09.919

presents a view that, that it says very drastically from all the things we're doing. I do not feel weak in that I have denied him the right to speak, except that we had planned and we spent the whole night trying to plan the teacher and trying

01:34:09.930 - 01:34:30.470

to get some different points of view at the last minute with it. You know, 1035 Paul asked me to speak. I'm sorry, but I publicly uh apologize that we just don't have a train to OK. And uh at this point, I'd like to, to convene a

01:34:30.479 - 01:34:54.649

meeting of the Student Association uh as such as the committee of the whole is in order been proposed to me by several people that we consider the adoption of the proposal or proposal similar to the proposal of the faculty members approved yesterday. And the proposal, what

01:34:54.660 - 01:35:07.339

I have today is that I will now entertain a chair. Uh I will to a doctor. Is this? Well, I'll read it once in the afternoon if you want to do it. In other words, if you make a move, if you move two, do it, I'll

01:35:07.350 - 01:35:26.700

read it again twice before you. The students of Rice University vigorously protest and cannot accept the procedures used to select a new president. Specifically, the students subjected the student faculty committee which was requested by the board and duly elected was not consulted about the final appointment.

01:35:27.009 - 01:35:51.879

We emphatically request that this appointment be reconsidered. After appropriate consultation, the student faculty residential selection committee. Do I hear it on anything already? OK. So I can there is a second that we adopted proposal. Now we have people that are going to count the votes. I

01:35:51.890 - 01:37:14.339

ask everyone who is not a member of the Student Association not to vote. OK. All in favor of adopting this proposal. Raise your hand came up for a while. Um You are one 951 of all, no of all. Come on. Come on. You one

01:37:14.350 - 01:38:43.990

of them, there's gotta be one governor post. One moment to pass is 951 to 7. You saying obstetric extension motive or picking? Oh, washes like abstentions. 23. Half of your huh? Bye bye. My brother did. We

01:38:44.000 - 01:39:00.439

got it. We got, they tried to set up for the front of Robin Hall and it's supposed to start at around 12 or, and, uh, I'd like to make sure we get everyone over there to the fact that the, the United News Bodies behind that in

01:39:00.470 - 01:39:31.290

this country is possible. Thank you. And again, I won't even go over either. I'd have to this degree I think was one very important point that is that we are not the worst thing. We weren't a trustee by this action. We are about to take sincerely

01:39:31.299 - 01:39:52.970

believe in our, to inform these people of the deep seated resentment and uni unify the intent that there that exists as a campaign today because of their actions. And I talked to both members of the board afterwards and they did not as much as I, I

01:39:52.979 - 01:40:10.310

talk, I walked and both of the cars and just, you know, one fully understood the resentment that occurs that there is today. I think this is what we're doing. No noble and as obvious a way to express that resentment as we can, we can possibly muster

01:40:10.370 - 01:40:45.910

up in no way that we wondered. And I doubt that many of you want, you could coerce anyone at this point? Ok. Let me, let me describe it. Or Doctor Masterson into Guam proposal. I have he marched for right with the office, security guard down the

01:40:45.919 - 01:41:13.540

middle of the street is very large. It says the right end of you. And I, I like the proposal as close as you walk. Why? That? The corn I was assembled and the love of the gra area on and there start talking, start talking about what

01:41:13.549 - 01:41:33.359

you think the next action should be, which is extremely important. We haven't. Yeah. At the same time, we have to understand ourselves. What are we going to do next? We all have, I want you, I want uh united the two bodies and next week we do

01:41:33.370 - 01:42:04.620

that. I have something to me. I'm not incorporated and practice it with a very deep fan to those you will join them. I supported myself and many been trying to, to reflect what you're feeling. I want you to go in any way you feel that it

01:42:04.629 - 01:42:22.330

is right? Please send in all kinds of suggestions at the office pretty much 12 hours a day, at least you're now secondly, when you go to anyone, you know, and he got anything alone, any parents, whatever it is and they get a point to call him

01:42:22.339 - 01:42:39.259

and tell him what's going on. And after, after report and clarify any and all questions that they might have and they've got no one to tell me about it, to tell anybody that, you know, responsibility here to, to interpret it into some kind of policy. That's,

01:42:39.270 - 01:43:01.779

that's the way we've got to do it to maintain the public. Right. I wanna hand and you use to file out before and it dr four through that front door marks, slowing quietly and I want to wait a minute. That's something I want to read. And

01:43:01.990 - 01:43:27.009

before we move, this is a, this is a something sub from a fact who was in the, in the meeting him today, it's a bit hard to read. He says the University of these times is both the last households of both and the first out the

01:43:27.040 - 01:43:48.020

last that's on enough to respiratory. I the inside more vulnerable with the government and the corporations and the military and the church are more vulnerable with perception and such body. It is the first out of the world. However, because being so vulnerable in here to new

01:43:48.029 - 01:44:08.240

ideas first in the out add on the university may be the last place like the society would, they should show other men that change without on that. That's possible. But such change is possible only in the atmosphere of trust and faith and in the opposite. Without

01:44:08.250 - 01:44:25.850

that process founded on the proof of action, we will not say anything for the better, neither the university nor any social institution nor ourselves. And the Asian tour of darkness will continue on us and our Children, not just a university but a society that's great, which

01:44:25.859 - 01:44:45.459

is perhaps the oldest of grains, the oldest grains of men almost died in and it has almost died Congress Times for, for Congress. But it was remarked, they will almost die again in countless times in the future. And all we can do is keep trying to

01:44:45.470 - 01:45:23.450

keep it alive. It can't happen here selling the shoes here today of our chairman must love it who is had surgery last week and regret very much that he can't be with you. And uh I take the very greatest pleasure and uh welcoming you back to

01:45:23.459 - 01:45:51.200

the rise campus on behalf of the all the board and the rice community and the Houston community where you have uh lived and, and the university where you will become the fourth president and the first price alumni to achieve this high distinction. I think that the

01:45:51.209 - 01:46:17.470

board in considering the candidates for this job was more hopeful than anything else we might find among our alumni or among our faculty, someone to ask to take this high office. I might also add that the board recognized the its responsibility because no, no act by

01:46:17.479 - 01:46:39.870

any board is more important than the act of appointing a president of the university. So I welcome you here, sir. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Indeed. I want to say, although I feel that in this group and in this place. I hardly need

01:46:39.879 - 01:46:59.430

to say how deeply honored I am by this expression of it, confidence by the board, this place and all of its physical and all the surroundings mean a great deal to me and always have in my life as they do to many of the faculty and

01:46:59.439 - 01:47:28.259

many of the students and many of the trustees and deeply honored by this appointment. Right will pledge here as I will pledge again to other company, pledge to you to the board. Great utmost my ability, my understanding, my experience, my compassionate interest and the future of

01:47:28.270 - 01:47:47.200

the school. And I am deeply grateful for this art Doctor Masterson. The welcome of Mr Allen is quite a warm, but the one outside is not quite so warm. Would you comment on that, please, sir? Well, I haven't had a chance. I hope to go from

01:47:47.209 - 01:48:20.799

here to the group outside and at least see them there. I think what has happened is is a an unfortunate breakdown and uh the communication between two or more of the essential elements that make a university, the trustees and faculty administration students, these all of the

01:48:20.810 - 01:48:46.330

components as we all know of a great school, no school is great unless there's closer communication and understanding between them. Now, as I understand the situation through no particular planning or no particular fault of anyone, a lack of communication has existed does exist between some of

01:48:46.339 - 01:49:03.430

the components of this university. For this. I am very sorry because as a rice man and one who feel strongly for the greatness of this school. To, to me this means as much as the fact that I happen to be in the middle of this situation

01:49:03.439 - 01:49:25.359

as one of the figures. It is my earnest hope that this communication between these elements will be restored. It will be one of the principal and immediate objectives of my administration to restore it. I hope that I can secure a broad base of those of goodwill,

01:49:26.129 - 01:49:44.189

those of high hopes for this school to to restore this communication that will continue the rise tradition of community. This lack of communication with one professor this morning at the reading called it lack of dialogue. Seems as a very serious one. What specific steps do you

01:49:44.200 - 01:50:06.000

attend or what specific steps are you considering? Sir? I hoped before I uh have to return to Chattanooga take up the duties there that I will have a chance to discuss some of the matters which are in the minds of several of these components of the

01:50:06.009 - 01:50:26.740

faculty committee. For example, I may meet informally with some or all of them. I hope to meet with student leaders, talk to them and to try in this way to begin the re establishment. At least from my point of view, this communication, Doctor Masterson, your specialty

01:50:26.750 - 01:50:53.540

was early 19th century American history. Can you draw any parallels from that? That would apply to the student unrest of today. That's a hard, I just kind of like to add, I just kind of like to answer only in this sense that I think our society

01:50:53.549 - 01:51:17.149

as a democratic society is in a constant re examination of its institutions and its traditions. In the early 19th century, America was in such a re examination of its institutions which were largely colonial, inherited and uh traditional uh out of that came uh something more nearly

01:51:17.160 - 01:51:36.649

American than existed before. I believe that in the 20th century due to going to a uh different set of circumstances which, which about which they didn't dream. But at least in the same way, we are having a re examination. Uh it's going on all the time

01:51:36.660 - 01:51:51.919

but it's noticeable now owing to urbanization and all the other things that have encompassed us. So I think we are again, examining traditional ways of doing things, traditional ways of uh thinking. This doesn't mean that we are rejecting them. It means that we are in the,

01:51:52.370 - 01:52:13.779

in the process of a republic of constantly examining our presuppositions and our method. That's, that's a broad sir. Would you compare the University of Chattanooga with Rice? The University of Chattanooga is somewhat smaller than rice. It's uh about right at around 2000 students. Uh It is

01:52:13.790 - 01:52:31.390

an urban university in a particular sense more than rice and that most of its students are commuting students. One of the things I have I have missed and have said there is the the resident population on the campus. I find it hard to, to communicate with

01:52:31.399 - 01:52:52.390

a, with a moving group. And uh although this seems strange to say in the particular context that we are in today, this matter of communication I think is important. Uh So it is a, it is an urban university. It is very, very much a commuting institution.

01:52:52.850 - 01:53:12.680

It has performed, it's about 80 years old, 85 years old. In the absence of a public institution, it has performed many of the functions of a public institution, although it has always been private, it was originally a Methodist school. It's a primarily uh its core of

01:53:12.689 - 01:53:44.009

liberal arts, physical and biological sciences. Uh The main professions at the moment are business and teaching, preparation for business and teaching. They are just beginning education. The trustees have agreed there to become one of the reorganized campuses of the University of Tennessee. They're setting up a

01:53:44.020 - 01:54:04.620

system like California or North Carolina with semi-autonomous or internally autonomous campuses. I was asked to be the first chancellor of this new campus. Uh uh and they are now on July. The first this transition will occur from a private to a public institution. What makes it

01:54:04.629 - 01:54:20.939

interesting is that it will retain its own endowment, which is a modest one in terms of uh other schools, but but considerable in that area of the country. And this endowment will remain under the present board of trustees to be used for the enrichment development of

01:54:20.950 - 01:54:36.419

their program, things which the state cannot provide. You see. And this is an interesting experiment one that intrigues me. Thank you very much, Doctor Mason, the faculty committee and said that you have been on the list that they have previously rejected, you know why they may

01:54:36.430 - 01:54:58.549

have found you unacceptable. And I have no, no knowledge, whatever I have not communicated with or had any information about the deliberations of that committee. Yeah. Uh when you accepted the job, did you know that this would be? And it says, I, I knew that there

01:54:58.560 - 01:55:15.020

was a committee, the degree of deliberation that had occurred between them, I did not know and I did not inquire Doctor Masterson at the student meeting, several questions were raised as to whether the student and or the faculty had the right to have a voice, a

01:55:15.220 - 01:55:35.720

voice in the choice of president. What are your feelings on the left? Without, without? I think that this is one of the questions where you have to separate a legal question from any kind of uh expedient or moral or other kind of principle, the legal, legally,

01:55:35.729 - 01:55:56.560

the choice of the president rests in the board of trustees of the university. Uh To what extent they involve faculty and students, I think is a function of each institution and its traditions and its uh its philosophy, Dr Mason, even though rice is not a large

01:55:56.569 - 01:56:17.379

institution. As far as the Roman is concerned, there have been some cases where campus violence has erupted, dispute grievances present and Marshall Wiley comments about uh doctor. So do you foresee anything uh of a serious nature ever happening here at? Right. If what I have said

01:56:17.390 - 01:56:37.359

earlier about the importance of which I regard communication between the elements of the campus community. Uh If this communication can be maintained, I believe whether I'm an optimist or not, I don't know, but I believe that people of goodwill predominate in all the elements of the

01:56:37.370 - 01:56:55.589

campus community that is by people of goodwill. I mean, people who are, whether they agree or not, or at least in an affirmative or constructive type of thing rather than sheer destruction. As long as this predominance of what I would call affirmative act, no matter what

01:56:55.600 - 01:57:12.109

the degree of difference, I do not foresee any trouble on the Rice campus as a student here, as a teacher here, I felt this, I feel it now, I felt it in the statements that have been issued by some of the students, a sincere commitment to

01:57:12.120 - 01:57:28.009

the goodwill of the school. So this is a long way of answering your question. I do not foresee the kind of negative violence that has appeared elsewhere. I don't believe that is in the rice tradition and I don't expect it to occur. How much voice should

01:57:28.020 - 01:57:41.759

a student have in an administrative university. I beg your pardon? How much does he have or would he have? How much do you think he should have? I mean, many of the problems that they man with a bigger voice. I think this is a trend as,

01:57:41.770 - 01:57:58.149

you know, over the country and I, I think they should have a considerable voice. I have established uh in the school where I now I am, I found this was not a tradition at all. And I have uh established, there are things which rice has already

01:57:58.160 - 01:58:17.720

done that is student participation on academic committees, uh uh consultation with students and various other. So I in a general way, I can say that I think that there must be a student consultation in the administration of the university. And beyond that, I mean, you get

01:58:17.729 - 01:58:37.640

into all kinds of questions of policy that I, I just can't get in, but I certainly endorsed that principle and I've used it there where I am now hear loud. Uh Rice has traditionally rejected a commitment to and I quote human involvement unquote in the contemporary

01:58:37.649 - 01:58:59.520

life of uh of America. Uh I think because you could raise chaos of life. Uh and it is that you agree. No, I'm sorry if you read that in it. I do not, I do not agree in the rejection. I say that has been a an

01:58:59.529 - 01:59:18.689

implied tradition. I don't think that there was so much a rejection as it was an absorption in other, in other objectives. What my speech said was that in the world of today, I thought Rice had to consider other objectives as well as the uh just the

01:59:18.700 - 01:59:33.379

objective of scalla excellence. Now, I don't reject the, in fact, I'm very much devoted to the thing that made this school great, which is a tradition of scholastic excellence. All I'm saying is that in the modern society, this was the center of my speech. Uh a

01:59:33.390 - 01:59:52.180

school must give attention to these other uh ideals and these other objectives. I'm sorry, you read it wrong. It's just the other way from what you doctor Masterson, you find the preceding question, one of the general criticisms made of contemporary American university, but it does not

01:59:52.189 - 02:00:09.350

involve itself with its community. A number of rice students, for example, in the local agricultural, private Children, I'm sure rice is involved in many ways with Houston. But do you foresee greater emphasis in university involvement would immediately the urban need, for example, in the area? I

02:00:09.359 - 02:00:30.160

hope so. I hope so very much. I have become particularly interested in this where I am now where I've been for the past three years because uh the university, that university is literally poised between two ghettos of rather striking nature. I have become uh aware that

02:00:30.169 - 02:00:43.910

as I said in this speech, she cited the university, whether we like it or not is a problem solver and we can't solve all problems and there are certain problems. We have a certain commitment to intellectual discipline. I don't, we, we shouldn't become a salvation army

02:00:43.919 - 02:01:06.720

or, or another kind of institution. But I believe the modern university does have a commitment to attempt to solve in its own particular way, which is an intellectual way, the problems of the community. Well, that the boy this time plan to make, we find the board

02:01:06.729 - 02:01:26.080

will be glad to meet with the student faculty committee or any anyone else in the university. The matter of reconsidering the appointment is, is a little bit like calling back yesterday, the board at a meeting, there was a unanimous agreement to appoint Doctor Masterson. We contacted

02:01:26.089 - 02:01:46.549

him, he accepted and that's the matter. It's uh that's an accom fact. Uh We, we regret, well, as I have stated in the rather extensive meetings that I've had with both the advisory committee and with the faculty as a body, we regret more than we can

02:01:46.560 - 02:02:14.020

say that uh through whatever circumstances we now have this uh uh situation where there is a condemnation of the procedures I would like to refer however, to the condemnation as being only a procedures, the qualifications of Dr mass and were not involved. And uh we, we

02:02:14.029 - 02:02:43.970

feel that they are and that was the very highest order. The Drow was a huge faculty because I so very uh the question has to be answered in a sort of general way. The advisory board had submitted uh several names to the uh the uh faculty

02:02:44.080 - 02:03:11.370

advisory committee had submitted several names to the uh uh uh uh faculty selection board of the Board of Governors. And at the board meeting on last Friday, all of these uh suggestions were considered. And the board at that time also considered the uh rather remarkable set

02:03:11.379 - 02:03:31.540

of uh the payments of Dr Mess and her own balance felt that this was the best, this was the best choice it could make and it proceeded to make. It isn't unusual though the board to make an announcement without actually discussing with the advisory board, the

02:03:31.549 - 02:03:53.220

decision they have made during the presidential appointment and also with the faculty, a lot of faculties have had criticism concern that that isn't just isn't unusual. Well, that I don't think you could say it's unusual because uh as I stated earlier on the, the final responsibility

02:03:53.229 - 02:04:12.000

and the most important thing that the board can do is make this kind of a selection. Uh In the, in this particular case, it now appears that it would have been most desirable to have done so, but uh have it done in previous occasions? Well, there's

02:04:12.009 - 02:04:31.419

not an exact parallel for this, you see before there was no one in the near uh horizon who had the uh right credentials, so to speak. And a long search was made, the search for Doctor Pitzer, I believe extended over two years during which there was

02:04:31.430 - 02:04:55.000

a, a great deal of uh dialogue between the selection faculty committee and the board. I, I'm not familiar with the selection of Doctor House. I have been uh a member of the board of the sister institution in this state, elected president. And there again, the selection

02:04:55.009 - 02:05:14.229

was for, was based on a stranger and there was considerable dialogue between the advisory board and the, the uh uh board of governance in this case. However, the board felt perfectly safe in proceeding on the basis that here we had a man with precisely the right

02:05:14.240 - 02:05:36.620

credentials and we pushed on with it. OK. Well, we have where we open the blood on the document, the consensus of the, of the meeting in the gym that the principal involved here, uh faculty and students consultation and say their affairs of the right community. It's

02:05:36.629 - 02:06:04.020

not a peripheral uh principle but an essential one, the right community, please. Well, you know, II I attempted to comment on this general point earlier that I think this communication between the components, the board, the trustees, the students and the administration was indeed a central lottery

02:06:04.029 - 02:06:24.080

of the body of the university. Uh In this particular case, I said through circumstances of various nature, I'm not even familiar with all of them. There seems to have been a breakdown in this communication. I do feel that it is central, that's, that's my position on

02:06:24.089 - 02:06:45.859

it. I should like to add to that, that this has been a, um, a most, uh, I guess I'll back up, this has been quite an experience for us and we'll pay attention to it. What it says to us is that we do need to improve

02:06:45.870 - 02:07:08.189

these communications and we certainly will hope to do so. We'll try to do so. I think we will succeed in doing that. I'm asked under what circumstances, if any would you? I refused to accept none that I'm aware of. You may have this, the fact that

02:07:08.270 - 02:07:36.660

they were very important part community it developed. Of course, the uh important that in a position where you, the central, the central relationship here is between me and the board. I think that this is a situation in which the board and I wouldn't, if the situation

02:07:37.009 - 02:07:53.549

became much more exaggerated than you have indicated. I think the board and I would both uh want to look at it. I'm making a very broad assumption here. But the, but the relationship is essentially mine is the board. They have asked me to assume the presidency.

02:07:53.680 - 02:08:16.709

I, I have agreed to do so. Your relationship with glory is more important than your life. No, I'm not saying I'm saying the contractual that is the legal relationship of the university, a legal moral relating to the students. Do, do you think that the board failed

02:08:16.720 - 02:08:31.089

and the moral duty perhaps to consult them? I'd like to add one more. I said, when I said moral, I said philosophical or moral, that type of thing as distinct from legal. I don't want to imply that there's immorality in the normal sense of the word.

02:08:31.339 - 02:08:44.830

I was meant to make a distinction between a legal and a philosophical obligation. The answer to that question is, I simply don't know because I don't know. The, I, there was, there was communication between them. I was not present. I have never been told the nature

02:08:44.839 - 02:08:59.750

of this communication. I don't know the extent of it and I'm in no position to judge it. The board told me that they had made a thorough consideration of this matter. That was what I asked the board to do. They told me they had given thorough

02:08:59.759 - 02:09:22.520

consideration to the question of my appointment and had and were there by offering it to me and I accepted it. So as far as I'm concerned, that's, that's it. Doctor Mason said we had had deposition of Enron to evaluate this second, the charge for that long.

02:09:23.629 - 02:09:50.490

If, uh if in your judgment, uh you concern over the procedural involved in the manner of your appointment. Oh, and, um, the neuro making it is o for discharge all uh your o narrow, would you, uh, would you at that point go to the board and,

02:09:50.500 - 02:10:14.819

and uh engage in some kind of reconsideration? This is in my opinion, for me to say that I, there are a lot of questions here. A lot of uh presuppositions in the first place that we can determine precisely a numerical and precise feeling about the about

02:10:14.830 - 02:10:38.859

the community, about the faculty, about the student body, about these matters. Uh I'm not sure that this can be done have been publicized widely as more of a, I suppose. Yes, it's, it's judgment on part of itself. Uh If you, if you will accept this as

02:10:38.870 - 02:10:56.259

a highly superstitious situation in which uh conditions exist, which I am not sure are, are identifiable. I uh and this did occur this kind of uh in my mind, I would go to the board and discuss this with and uh uh I, I believe that since

02:10:56.270 - 02:11:13.689

we both have the interest of the university at heart, we would arrive at a consensus as the proper thing to do. Uh That's the only way I can answer your question, Doctor Mason, how you come for the apparently rather widespread personal antagonism between yourself and some

02:11:13.700 - 02:11:31.819

members of the faculty very uh noticeable around. Well, uh I'm not, you know, this is one of those things where one is the last to know it. The thing is I'm aware that there is personal antagonism to me as a member of among some of the

02:11:31.830 - 02:11:50.220

faculty, how widespread it is. I, I really don't know. I also know that there are members of the faculty who agree with me considerably. Uh Now to get on with the question. However, uh I think anyone who is in a position of administration in a wide

02:11:50.229 - 02:12:13.319

variety of roles as I have been uh here through circumstances over a period of nearly 20 years, uh teaching many teaching, large numbers of students involved in a variety of administrative uh things. I think it is almost impossible for a person over that period of time

02:12:13.330 - 02:12:33.149

and these variety of, uh matters to not to arouse some conflict if this conflict is severe and personal, no one regrets it more than I, I think however, that the important question is, what kind of president am I going to make? And I think only time

02:12:33.160 - 02:12:52.350

will tell that. And I think that for the university community to tear itself apart over matters of the past in which both I and these other people were in different relationships and in different year, our ages were different, our relationships were different. I think this is

02:12:52.359 - 02:13:10.839

highly, would be highly injurious to the university. I think nothing could be really accomplished by it. And I hope very much that the university community will uh agree with me that the question before us now is let us proceed to continue the greatness of this university

02:13:10.850 - 02:13:25.490

and improve it. That to me is, is the real question rather than trying to identify antagonisms of the past that as far as I'm concerned, are no longer relevant. Good. Thank you very much.