Page ~aturday, July 28 1979-The Michigan Daily
'U' chiefs traditionally decisive
By SARA ANSPACH
Traditionally, they have been deter-
mined people, many of them stubborn,
possessing unequivocal ideas about
higher education. Whether to soothe
disgruntled students, faculty, or Regen-
ts, or to connive a larger budget from
the state legislature, the University
presidents have found reserves of tact
and persuasive rhetoric to be their
greatest asset. And a deeply imbedded
belief in this University has helped
them survive the trying times of the
demanding job.
Over the past 127 years, the following
nine men have helped build the foun-
dation upon which the University rests
today.
HENRY PHILLIP TAPPAN (1852-
1863): President Tappan was constan-
tly looking ahead, an admirable quality
for the chief executive of a fledgling
university. He helped establish the
University as an investigative in-
stitution-a center of knowledge in-
stead of just a place for teaching. Tap-
pan advocated instruction through the
lecture system, and felt professors
should engage in research in addition to
teaching.
Although popular with students, Tap-
pan had bitter arguments with the
Board of Regents, which thought many
executive duties should be handled by
Regents instead of the president. In
1863, Tappan became the only president
ever to be dismissed from his post.
ERASTUS OTUS HAVEN. (1863-1869)
Although his period in office was only
six years, President Haven established
some policies that, in theory, are still
Tact, persuasion best assets
apparent in University administration:
today. He believed students should not
be encouraged to study by offerings of
scholarships or medals, Haven put
money which might have been spent for
such purposes into improving the
University's resources. Today, the
University offers few scholarships fors
academic performance relative to its
peer institutions.
Although two black students were
admitted without question when Haven
was president, women encountered
some problems. Haven worried about
increasing sexual immorality if women
were allowed on campus. "Youth is a
transitional period when passion is
strong and restraint is feeble," he
wrote. A year later, conquered by his
own progressive spirit, Haven said he
was willing to admit women.
JAMES BURRIL ANGELL (18714'
1909): It took two years (during which
Henry Simons Frieze served as interim
president) for the Regents to convince
James Angell to come to the Univer-
sity, but once the native Rhode Islander
got to Ann Arbor, he stayed for 38
years, the longest term of any
president. He was a father image for
the school during those years and
students and faculty alike regarded
him highly.
Angell was president during an era of
great growth for the University, yet
during most of his time as president he
was able to conduct personally the daily
chapel services, and help pick most of
the faculty. He knew many students
and most admired him.
HENRY BURNS HUTCHINS t1909-
1920): While not as personable as his
predecessor, President Hutchins never-
theless was responsible for innovations
on campus. He planned enlargements
of programs at the University and star-
ted in 1910 by establishing a journalism
course. He helped establish a "tough"
graduate school, and the enthusiastic
president encouraged the growth of a
student health service.
When the country entered World War
I in 1917, Hutchins insisted that the
campus be used as a training ground
for officers rather than for private
soldiers. "The student who remains in
the University awaiting the call from
the government is just as patriotic as
the one who enters the service im-
mediately," he told students.
MARION LeROY BURTON (1920-
1925): President Burton welcomed the
University's growth and set out to make
the University a modern institution.
Buildings were constructed, research
increased, and honors classes added to
the curriculum. Excited by the whole
process of presiding over the Univer-
sity, Burton encouraged 'his professors
to make learning exciting to students.
When the popular president died in
1925, students suggested a carillon
tower be built asa memorial.
CLARENCE COOK LITTLE (1925-
1929): An outspoken man, President
Little was not one of the most popular
personnel in.
Diplomatic sources and travelers
arriving in India from Afghanistan
describe a reign of terror against op-
ponents of President Nur Mohammed
Taraki's ruling Khalq Party. Torture
and summary executions are believed
common in Pul-I-Charkhi Prison in
Kabul, the Afghan capital. An official
Washington estimate said 3,000 political
prisoners died there in recent months.
THE ANTI-GOVERNMENT
guerrilla effort, characterized by hit-
and-run attacks, has spread from the
eastern provinces and to some of the
most remote areas of this rugged,
strategically situated nation.
Afghanistan is bordered by the Soviet
Union, Iran, China, and Pakistan.
"The government is more-or less
beleaguered in Kabul," an Asian
diplomat said, describing the insurgen-
cy pressure on Taraki's 10-month-old
Marxist-oriented regime. Guerrillas
reportedly have infiltrated all but three
presidents. He frowned upon frivolous
actions of students during the 1920s,
banned automobiles from campus, and
began holding non-sectarian services
on Sunday mornings to encourage
students to attend church.
In some ways Little's outlook was
modern (he was adamant in his support
of birth control) but in others he ap-
peared backward. He believed women
should not be enrolled in the same cour-
ses as men. Women, Little felt, should
be taught subjects such as physiology,
human behavior, and genetics, which
would help prepare them for their even-
tual role as homemakers.
ALEXANDER GRANT RUTHVEN
(1929-1951): President Ruthven carried
the Univeristy through the depression
years, and then later, the second World
War. During his term in office he faced
many difficult decisions on University
policy and national problems. Although
sometimes students and faculty didn't
agree with his decisions, Ruthven was
highly respected for his leadership
abilities.
Ruthven was sincerely concerned
about his students. He worried that the
University did not provide enough
education in character training and
social orientation. Perhaps more im-
portant to students was his concern for
their financial problems. He helped to
increase student loans and financial
aid.
HARLAN HATCHER (1951-1967):
President Hatcher faced an expanding
campus during his term. Enrollment
increased 20,000 students while he was
president, two more campuses were
born, and research expenditures grew
from $6 million to $52 million. Hatcher
currently lives in Ann Arbor and
travels frequently to northern
Michigan.
Afghanistan
of the 26 provinces in this over-
whelmingly Islamic nation.
The guerrillas represent a wide range
of views, including rival Marxists,
tribespersons and right-wing Moslem
religious leaders, united in their op-
position to Taraki.
"TARAKI'S GOVERNMENT is now
only supported by bayonets," said the
diplomat, who asked not to be iden-
tified.
Afghan exile sources in Pakistan
have claimed that 90,000-100,000
villagers have been killed by
napalming, artillery bombardment,
and punitive raids against communities
believed harboring rebels.
Travel outside Kabul by reporters is
restrited, however, and the number of
such casualties cannot be independen-
tly confirmed.
THE UNITED States is the first
nation to announce a withdrawal of
diplomatic staff from Kabul, although
the Soviet Union recalled some of its
civilian field advisers from the mile-
high capital earlier this year. That
move followed a March uprising and
mutiny in Herat, northwestern
Afghanistan, where as many as 60
Russians were slaughtered by rebels,
an informed source said.
U.S. to evacuate embassy
NEW DELHI, India (AP) - The
United States will evacuate some
American embassy-personnel from
Afghanistan next week, citing a
growing security risk in the landlocked
nation amid reports of armed insurrec-
tion and repressive government action.
American officials here said yester-
day about ten U.S. citizens will be
evacuated on scheduled flights begin-
ning Monday or Tuesday, including
non-essential embassy staff and gover-
nment dependents. The partial
evacuation will leave a 48-member
diplomatic corps.
Afghan officials reacted to the with-
drawal announcement by formally
asking Washington to trim its
diplomatic contingent, a face-saving
measure apparently designed to make
the evacuation appear Afghan-inspired,
a U.S. diplomat in Delhi said.
THERE HAS been no ranking U.S.
ambassador in Afghanistan since
Adolph Dubs was kidnapped Feb. 14 by
anti-government rebels. He was killed
during a rescue attempt and
Washington blamed Afghanistan for his
death. .
Dubs has not been replaced and
Washington has refused to authorize
new foreign aid to Afghanistan, one of
the world's least-developed countries.
. WIN
THE
Sp arl
WOODY ALLEN
DIANE KEATON
MICHAEL MURPHY
MARIEL HEMINGWAY ENDS
MERYL STREEP SCION!
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