Letter from Elaine Hedges to James Fisher, 1978

Women's Studies Telephone (301 ) 321 -2860 Towson State University TOWSON, MARYLAND 21204 June 1, 1978 Dr. James Fisher, President Towson State University Baltimore, Md. 21204 Dear Dr. Fisher: It is tedious to have to continue to deal with Edgar Berman. Since, however, he has chosen to respond to the letter which I and other faculty, staff and students signed and published in Towerlight protesting his attacks on women in his appearance on this campus on April 26, and since he has chosen to respond with yet another series of scurrilities, I am writing to you. I know that you have already apologized to Academic Council for Mr. Berman's remarks, and I assume therefore that he is as much an object of embarrassment to you as he is an object of contempt to me. I believe, however, that it would be appropriate for you to respond to those students, faculty and staff who continue to be subjected to Mr. Berman's slanders. Those of us who signed the letter are increasingly concerned that such a person as Kr. Berman should continue to sit on the Board of Trustees of the State Colleges and Universities of Maryland. The intemperate and irrational character of both his verbal and written attacks raises serious questions as to his fitness to be a representative of the interests of higher education and especially of women, whom he presumably serves on the Board. Both personally, as a woman and as a scholar who tries to pursue the truth, and in my capacity as Coordinator of Women's Studies, I should appreciate hearing from you on this matter. Sincerely yours, Elaine Hedges c.c. Joseph Cox Annette Flower Elaine Solez Jo-Ann Fuchs Vicki Sjolander K Edgington Renee Marsh