Resignation Before Acceptance

THE nomination last week of Edward L. Keenan '57, professor of History, to be the new dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) represents a serious error in timing and judgment on the part of Dean Rosovsky and other Harvard administrators who had input into the selection process. Though superficially well-qualified for the job, Keenan continues to serve on the Board of Governors of Reza Shah Kabir University (RSKU), the Iranian national university, which is still in its planning stages. Keenan has supported the RSKU project from the start, over the strenous objections of members of the Harvard community, who have rightly contended that the repressive, totalitarian nature of the Iranian regime stifles academic freedom, and that the RSKU project thus is destined to be no more than a new tool of the Shah's regime. It is unfortunate that the dubious project has been legitimized by the presence on its Board of Governors of three respected American academics, including Keenan.

Last week, Keenan announced that he will not resign the RSKU post if the Board of Overseers confirms him as the new GSAS dean. "I don't think the position at RSKU will conflict with my work as graduate school dean. If it does, I'll drop the Iranian post," Keenan said, somewhat short-sightedly. What Keenan fails to realize is that his involvement with the Shah's regime runs in opposition to the spirit of free inquiry on which this University--unlike its Iranian counterpart--was founded.

While Keenan seems reasonably qualified for the post beyond his unfortunate Iranian connections, it is again depressing that the University was unable to appoint--or even, apparently, to consider--a woman or member of a minority group for the GSAS post.

Before he is confirmed, Keenan should renounce his ties to the RSKU project, and offer the Harvard community a complete explanation of his role in Iran. Barring this, the Overseers should dismiss the Keenan nomination outright.