Faculty Cool to Expanded Religious Work in College

Faculty members appeared lukewarm this week to any expansion of the religious program for undergraduates.

Professors second willing to adopt the ideas to be suggested by the six-man committee headed by Provost Buck, but many teachers were not enthusiastic at the prospect.

Under consideration at present is a University preacher who would run Memorial Church and teach G.E. courses in religion and a University chaplain who would advise students on their problems, replacing some of the Hygiene Department's work in this field.

"The idea of expansion doesn't anger me," said C. Crane Brinton '19, McLean Professor of Ancient and Modern History. "Anyone who wants religion should have it." As far as the idea of a University chaplain advising students was concerned, Brinton said, "What do you want? More psychiatrists or baby deans? You need more people to hold students hands."

University Advancing Religion?

Henry D. Aiken '40, associate Professor of Philosophy, accepted only part of the ideas now being discussed. "The study of religion, through courses, is an important part of the social sciences and the humanities, but just as I believe in a principle of separation of church and state, I believe with equal vigor in the separation of church and school."

"I would not be in favor," Aiken said, "of using the resources of the University as a means of actively advancing the interests of institutionalized religion."

Little opposition has appeared on the surface so far, and the administration proposals are not yet official, hut several professors were certain that "others will want to fight any large expansion of religion in the College."

Younger teachers, including many temporary staff members, appeared particularly cool to the idea. One man said that one of the first new project, the Ferre lectures on religion this month, had been a "complete failure."

Proponents of the expansion noted that nothing would be forced on the undergraduates. "I should suppose student demands and interest will lead to an increased program," said Gordon W. Allport '11, professor of Psychology. "This is the type of interest that faculty members are not adequately equipped to deal with."