Ralph S. Brown

Academic Freedom and Tenure: Grove City College

On February 14, 1962, Dr. Larry Gara, Professor of History and Political Science at Grove City College, Grove City, Pennsylvania, was informed orally by the Dean of the College, Dr. William W. Swezey, in the presence of the Dean of Men and the Registrar, that his services to the College were not satisfactory, and that it would be wise for him to resign and seek a position elsewhere with the aid of letters of recommendation from the Administration. Two days later Professor Gara was informed in a conference with the President of the College, Dr. J. Stanley Harker, and Dean Swezey, that his contract would not be renewed for 1962-63 because of his incompetence, and that numerous adversely critical letters had been sent to the College by students, parents,. and alumni. President Harker refused to make any of these letters available to Professor Gara for study.