Coercion

To the Editors of The Crimson:

Last Wednesday's Crimson carries an account and photograph of a section of my course Historical Studies A-12 meeting in the shantytown in front of University Hall. It also carried a letter from a student in the section objecting to the location of the section. I was asked by students whether this was appropriate or not. The following is what I said before lecture on Thursday.

What is appropriate and what is not?

1. Political demonstrations which encourage reasoned discussion of moral issues in our community are a good thing. This shantytown seems appropriate by this criterion. I see nothing wrong with studen's or faculty meeting there to discuss the issues.

2. Coercing people to participate in political demonstrations is wrong. Using the formal educational structure of class schedules to coerce participation is doubly wrong. If the accounts in The Crimson are correct, some students felt coerced. If they wished to go to their own section at their scheduled time, they ran the risk of seeming to support a particular demonstration. Some were subsequently photographed in that context. If even one student felt coerced, the action was wrong. Majority votes are not enough when the rights of individuals are involved.

3. If a section unanimously wishes to meet in the shantytown, it may, of course, do so. But given the difficulties of ascertaining unanimity in the face of teacher and peer pressures, it takes a brave person to dissent. As a matter of educational policy, courtesy to one's peers, and respect for the views of others, it would seem to me appropriate to participate in the shantytown after, rather than during, class.

4. Since there seems to have been coercion in this particular incident last Tuesday, students may feel that the section leader involved has not demonstrated the academic judgment necessary for an impartial reading of their exams. If any student in that section wishes, the head of sections and I will read his or her exam and assign the final grade ourselves. Joseph S. Nye, Jr.   Clarence Dillon Professor of International Affairs