Harvard Stays Mum On Greek Bequest

The Corporation last Monday approved a donation of $1 million to be used for Modern Greek Studies, according to the office of the Harvard College Fund, but members of the administration would not discuss the donation.

Informed sources say, however, that the Greek government gave the University a check for $1 million to endow the George Seferis Professorship in Modern Greek Studies. The check was delivered by the Greek Minister of Civilization and Culture, Constantine A. Trypanis, when he visited Cambridge last July 18 and 19.

The sources say he met with President Bok, Dean Rosovsky and Walter J. Kaiser '54, Professor of English and Comparative Literature.

Bok said last week that some money had been received for the Program for Modern Greek Studies, and said that the donor had asked him not to disclose his identity or the amount of money involved. Kaiser would neither confirm nor deny the report and Rosovsky was not available for comment.

John Fotopoulos, the Greek consul in Boston, said last Friday that "The president of Harvard has come into direct contact with the Ministry of Culture in Athens," but he was not willing to elaborate further.

American newspapers did not note Trypanis's presence at Harvard. Deane Lord, director of the Harvard News Office, said that there was no official press release to verify the visit. However, several newspapers in Athens reported the trip by Trypanis.

Ta Nea, an Athens newspaper, stated on July 22 that Trypanis was at Harvard to cooperate with university authorities for the establishment and effectiveness of the (George Seferis) chair." None of the articles mentioned the million dollars.

Sources say that the Greek government is not making its contribution to the chair public because the loss to the Greek budget could be detrimental to the government of prime Minister Constantine Caramanlis. Since the war with Turkey over Cyprus last year Greece has been attempting to build up its military strength, and armaments are a fiscal priority.

Trypanis also came under public attack last spring for mismanaging affairs in the cultural ministry. Sources speculate that Trypanis could now be accused of pandering to the interests of the late Seferis's sister--who is the wife of the Greek president--by giving money to establish the chair. Therefore, sources say, this is a poor time to announce the endowment.

Although several members of the Harvard community are aware of the drive to finance the Program for Modern Greek Studies, they are able to add only bits and pieces to the story surrounding the donation.

Dennis N. Skiotis, assistant professor of History, said last week that he had heard "through the grapevine" that "Harvard has received much of the money from the Greek government" required to endow the chair.

Charles D. Thompson '48, of the University Development Office, said last week that the "minister's visit is news" to him, but he does "remember a Greek flag flying in the Yard sometime during the summer."

Thompson added that "we appreciate all donations and there are a number of very interested people inside and outside of the University," but he "didn't know of any money coming in at all." Thompson said that his office is handling about 10-15 capital campaigns at the moment, and modern Greek studies is fairly low on the list of priorities.

The proposed Program for Modern Greek Studies has not been discussed in the Faculty Council yet, which begins meeting toward the end of the month after a recess over the summer. The search for a professor to fill the George Seferis chair cannot begin until the program is approved by the council.