Towson State University
Office of the President
June 7, 1978
Dr. Elaine Hedges
Department of English
Towson State University
Towson, MD 21204
Dear Dr. Hedges:
I agree with you that it is tedious to have to continue to deal with the sexism
displayed by Dr. Berman during his recent appearance on our campus. As you know,
I have already indicated my concern to the Academic Council, our principal
governance body, and have expressed my personal apologies to that assembly.
On the day of the meeting, Dr. Berman came first to my office and told me of
his intention to use galleys from his forthcoming book on women to illustrate
his presentation. After listening to several passages I urged him not to include
the material. In effect, he told me to get lost. After the meeting, I again
expressed my concern to him and my comments were received with the same lack
of appreciation. While I can understand your concern that Dr. Berman is a member
of the Board of Trustees, I think you should know that he has never officially
questioned our program or our courses in women's studies or my commitment to
advancing the status of women on this campus. I leave to you the assessment
of that commitment. Indeed, Dr. Berman has been, more than any other member of
the Board, constantly supportive of the interests of Towson State University as
represented by me. Although I know Dr. Berman well, I know of no system, employer,
cause, or tradition to which he owes allegiance or feels any sense of awe. To
my knowledge, his only commitments have been to individuals (males and females),
and he is more amused by than disdainful of causes. I'm also certain that any
movement or cause that he feels is taken too seriously by a sizable segment of
our society will attract the attention of his satirical pen.
In sum, while I am in complete sympathy with your concern, unless Dr . Berman's
activities have a direct bearing on conditions at Towson State, I believe it
would be clearly and potentially materially to our disadvantage to address the
matter further. However, know that this letter is in no way an attempt to restrain
you from any activities you may choose to pursue. Of one thing I can assure you-should
you decide to continue to press the isue, the only way that Dr . Edgar
Berman will be silenced would be of his own choosing. To have him removed from
the Board of Trustees would be highly doubtful in the first place, would be to
lose our most constant supporter, and it certainly would in no way squelch his
opinions or the sale of his books and articles; indeed, knowing him as I do, he
invites reactions for it only makes his life more interesting and his profits
from articles and books greater.
Sincerely yours,
James L. Fisher
cc: Dr. Cox Dr. Edgington
Dr. FlowerJ Ms. Marsh
Ms. Solez
Ms. Fuchs
Ms. Sjolander
JLF :ng
TOWSON, MARYLAND 21 204, Telephone (301) 321-2358
