Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 117, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 May 1916 — ADE GIVES REASONS FOR RESIGNATION [ARTICLE]

ADE GIVES REASONS FOR RESIGNATION

Asserts Opposition to Purdue Faculty’s “Nagging” of Students Was Cause of Resignation. Brook, Ind., May 15.—George Ade, who has tendered his resignation to Governor Ralston as a member of the board of trustees of Purdue University, issued the following statement at his home here today: “I am not resigning at this time because of any recent complications or sudden disagreement with anything happening at Purdue. For a long time I have not been in full accord with the faculty’s general policy of repression and regulation in the_matter of student enterprises. “No doubt the faculty must exercise a pretty firm control of undergraduate activities, but I think this could be done without nagging the students into a sullen and resentful mood. I could write a book about eccentricities and irresponsibilities of college students, but I am still of the opinion that you can not teach a bird to fly by tying him to a limb. “It has seemed to me that the kind of control exercised at Purdue in recent years did not encourage the' boys to be self-reliant or cultivate a spirit of initiative. It was good training for subordinates, but not for executives. lam not maintaining that a faculty should take orders from the students, but I think there should be a sort of fellowship between the bodies, especially when it comes to getting out and making a fight for the reputation of the university. I believe that the tact and diplomacy nee. essary to secure a hearty and friendly co-operation between the faculty and students needs the inspiration of leadership as much as the iron hand of discipline;* “I was supposed to represent the alumni on the board. I w,as not sure that my private opinion would be approved by the alumni. I had no definite instructions from the association. My duties as trustee were largely perfunctory. I did not feel that I was wielding influence and so I was quite-content to let some other alumni step in and serve a term.”