LANGDON MARVIN EXPLAINS ATTEMPTS OF ALUMNI COMMITTEE TO FOSTER CRITICISM

Writing in the Harvard Alumni Bulletin issued today, Langdon P. Marvin '98, chairman of the Board of Overseers' standing committee on Relations with the Alumni, and a well known New York lawyer, calls attention to the harm that may be done an institution by criticism which is not founded upon facts. This is the first of a series of short articles on various phases of the University prepared by experts to be published in the Alumni Bulletin. These articles are fostered by the committee of the alumni mentioned above, and deal with the work and purpose of the committee.

Bond Between Alumni and College

Mr. Marvin's article points out that Harvard men, graduates as well as undergraduates, are encouraged in independent thought and free speech, and that they have a right to make suggestions concerning their University and to criticise according to their own independent views. It makes clear, however, that such frank criticism will be helpful only if it is cheerful, constructive, and based upon facts, and that it will be most useful if expressed directly to the University rather than to the public. Mr. Marvin explains how it was for just such a liaison that the committee of which he is chairman was formed.

The committee this year is composed of President Lowell, President Charles Hall Grandgent '83 of the Alumni Association and of President George A. Morison '00, of The Associated Harvard Clubs, ex-officio; and of four Overseers, Edgar C. Felton '79, of Philadelphia, William C. Boyden '86, of Chicago, Thomas W. Slocum '90, of New York City, and Langdon P. Marvin '98, of New York City, Chairman; and the Secretary for Alumni Affairs, James W. D. Seymour '17.

Organized Two Years Ago

The article reads in part as follows:

"There is a line of communication between the alumni and the University, recently established, of which too little use has been made.

"In November, 1922, committees representing the Board of Overseers, the Alumni Association and The Associated Harvard Clubs met in New York to consider the whole field of relations between the University and the alumni and to see how these relations might be made more close, and more fruitful and profitable to both bodies. On the recommendation of these joint committees, the Board of Overseers in February, 1923, amended its Rules and By-Laws by providing for a third so-called standing committee, to be known as the "Committee on Relations with the Alumni," the other two standing committees being the Executive Committee and the Committee on Elections.

Natural Channel For Criticism

"The more or less routine work of the committee, of reviewing the reports and recommendations of the alumni organization, removes the possible criticism that they might not receive due consideration by the University. It is felt, however, that there is a much more broad and useful field in which the committee can be of real service to both the University and the alumni at large, and that is as the natural channel of communication and liaison between them. The members of the Committee, and the Secretary stand ready at all times to procure for any graduate such, information concerning the University as he may desire and as may be available, and to make such investigation as may be necessary to secure such information; and also to transmit to the University such advice, information, suggestions, complaints or criticisms as any graduate may wish to make, and to see that they reach the intended or proper objective. If, therefore, any graduate has just cause of complaint concerning the University let him communicate with any member of the committee or with the Secretary and be confident that his complaint will be investigated and the results of the investigation given to him; and if he has any doubts of the justice of his complaint he can readily obtain through this source information to resolve his doubts.

"Harvard men are perhaps unusually apt to express their views with independence and vigor." It is a tradition that Harvard undergraduates as well as graduates indulge and are encouraged in independent thought and free speech, and that they are less restrained than the men of some other colleges, who are encouraged to live think and speak in the established mould. It has frequently been said that Harvard men can be found on every side of every question. This independence and individuality may be a source of pride, but it does not always contribute to team-play and, when too vociferous, it is frequently embarrassing to the University.

"The alumni are one of the most important elements of the University. A graduate on leaving Harvard is not detached from it. Throughout his life he is part and parcel of Harvard University. As such he owes allegiance to the University, and he owes it to the University, as well as to himself, to express his views, when he thinks them useful, whether or not they are in line with the course taken by the University."

Urges Certainty of Facts

"Every Harvard man has a right to his own independent views as to the University, or its acts or failures; he has a right to make suggestions and to criticise; but he will be much more helpful if his suggestions and criticisms are cheerful and constructive, and frankly expressed to the University, rather than to the public, and if he withholds public criticism at least until he is sure of his facts. And he should realize that, without inquiry or study, he cannot appreciate or understand the difficulties and complexities of a great University. In many instances, on such inquiry of study, he would doubtless withhold his criticism. And to rush into print, even into the print of the much too limited field of the Harvard Alumni Bulletin, without knowledge of his facts, is obviously, unfair and often harmful to the University. In the Committee on Relations with the Alumni, and the Secretary for Alumni Affairs, is the machinery, gladly offered by the University, as a ready medium of communication between it and the alumni.

"For its part, the Committee has decided to publish in the Harvard Alumni Bulletin a series of brief articles on various phases of the University in which it is thought that the alumni will be interested, each prepared by an expert on the subject. It is hoped that they will both enlighten and hearten the alumni. No graduate who understands the present greatness of Harvard will be shaken in his allegiance by temporary disappointments, however grievous they may seem for the moment. For Harvard goes steadily forward."