Conant Studies Confidential Report On Possible Revival of Geography

President Conant has received and is now studying a confidential report which outlines ways in which the study of Geography at Harvard can be revived.

The report was written by L. Dudley Stamp, professor of Geography at the University of London and one of the world's leading experts in the field. Stamp based his report on a one-week study of the situation here which he made in September at the personal request of Conant.

Although Conant has refused to reveal the specific proposals made in the report, he has indicated that it contains a number of separate plans which could be put into operation, depending on how much money the University allots or is given for the study of Geography.

Door Still Open

In 1951 the University, through a vote of the Committee on Educational Policy, decided to spend no unrestricted money on Geography. It did, however, leave the door open for expansion of the subject here by saying that if a special gift were made for the sole purpose of building up a Geography Department or the study of Geography, it would be a good thing.

Presumably Stamp's report suggests various projects, committees, or departments that should be set up with the special funds the University might receive. So far Harvard has been given no sizable donations for Geography.

At present there is no undergraduate field of concentration in Geography--it was abolished in 1948--no graduate program, and only one professor of the subject. Lack of funds and the administration's feeling that geography was not a proper college subject kept the field so small that it could no longer offer enough courses for concentrators.

In 1950 a subcommitte of the Committee on Educational Policy reported that a small, strong Department of Geography should be rebuilt at Harvard with unrestricted funds. The C.E.P. rejected this report, at the same time making clear that the University would accept special restricted gifts for Geography.