Pusey to Reopen Issue Of NDEA's Disclaimer

President Pusey will bring the National Defense Education Act issue before the Faculty next Tuesday to see what change, if any, Harvard will effect in its policy toward the Act and its disclaimer affidavit provision.

The University refused the use of $250,000 annually in Federal loan funds in the fall of 1959. It objected to section 1001 (f) of the Act, which requires the taking of a loyalty oath and the filing of an affidavit disclaiming membership in or support of "any organization that believes in or teaches the overthrow of the United States Government by force or violence or by any illegal or unconstitutional methods."

Although the College did not approve of the oath, it was the affidavit that caused it to turn down the Federal money.

It was expected that the disclaimer affidavit would be debated when the NDEA came up for renewal in Congress this summer. In an attempt to gain Congressional support for repeal of the affidavit provision, President Pusey appeared often in front of Congressional committees before the summer.

Congress Ignores Issue

But Congress, embroiled in disputes like the one over aid to Catholic schools, gave little consideration to the NDEA, and eventually renewed the Act without change for two years, along with an impacted areas bill. Pusey was invited to testify this summer, but was unable to appear in the short time alloted to discussion of the measure.

Just what Pusey's decision to reopen the matter here means is uncertain. It would indeed be surprising if Harvard changed its tack on the NDEA. But some factors merit consideration:

1. The affidavit provision is in effect for two more years at least, and neither members of Congress nor President Kennedy seems disposed to fight for repeal;

2. The University is feeling the pinch. Pusey said last spring, "We felt in the first two years we could get along without the money. We're a little worried now. We've sacrificed a bit of what we could loan;"

3. Some educators are becoming weary of making their views known to Congress one year, and then having to start the struggle all over again in the next session;

4. There may be some feeling on the Faculty that the affidavit issue has become meaningless, in the face of more pressing economic demands.

There would have to be a considerable groundswell of opinion in favor of accepting the Federal funds, but it is not impossible that the University may change its mind.