concerned. This does not preclude, of
course, a coordinating board — either ad-
visory or with real power — to do such
things as decide on where institutions
should be located and what programs
should be developed or the amount of
money to be appropriated.

Aside from what has taken place in
Michigan and other states in the area of
public higher education, I should like
to point out that the development of
some of our great private institutions
may be attributed to power of manage-
ment on the part of the lay boards. They
have not been subjected to excessive in-
terference. Certainly, in these days when
higher education is the most important
business of our country, we need "great"
public institutions in the states because
a very large majority of people attend
public institutions. This per cent will in-
crease. There is no good reason why the
University of Maryland, or any other
state university, should not have the same
quality of instruction as Harvard or
Princeton or Yale, although it may not
be as selective in the admission of stu-
dents. I believe, however, that state in-
stitutions can never aspire to the same
greatness as some private institutions un-
less they have the same degree of auton-
omy in the general supervision of the
institution.

The public university is not just an-
other state agency. It is an academic
community supported in part by the state
for the purpose of improving the welfare
of the people and the state and the na-

tion. It is engaged in teaching, research
and service. It cannot be subservient to
the state, that is, it cannot act in accord
ance with the desire of politicians and
state officials. It must teach the truth
seek the truth, and extend knowledge
to the people by appropriate services.
In doing this it may (and often does)

STATEMENTS

come in conflict with selfish interests of
certain kinds and run counter to the
wishes of those who seek to satisfy their
constituents. It must provide an open
forum, and it must have the freedom to
learn whatever there is to learn. In this
way, and only in this way, can it best
promote the welfare of a society of free
men. As I have said on other occasions,
it is both the rear guard and the van-
guard of society. It should preserve the
best and push toward new horizons. To
do this it must be "free" and this free-
dom is best guaranteed to the governing
board by constitutional authority con-
tained in simple statements which would
not "clutter up" the Constitution.

Today we are depending more and
more on education for economic as well
as social improvement. During the next
decade, there will be increasing competi-
tion in the field of higher education, par-
ticularly at the university level where
we are engaged in so much research and
require highly specialized personnel. The
competition for professors will become
more intense, and those institutions which
have the best support and the best cli-
mate for teaching and learning will get

the best material.

I think that the University of Mary-
land is strategically located so as to be-
come, If properly supported, one of the
great institutions of this country. In order
for this to materialize, it must have ade-
quate financial support and it must be
in a position to create the kind of climate
of learning that produces greatness. I
believe that this kind of climate is created
best where there is power of management
or the part of the Board of Regents and
where there is not a constant movement
a threat — to reduce the power of man-
agement by special and political interests.
I believe that a recognition in the Con-

stitution with a provision for a degree of
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