Monro Attacks Disclaimer Affidavit

"A vote for the NDEA disclaimer affidavit is a vote for thought control," Dean Monro told an audience of 50 freshmen yesterday afternoon in the Union Common Room.

Monro maintained the disclaimer was a restriction of the freedoms of speech and belief.

Asked if he considered President Pusey's stand of freezing NDEA funds a violation of the students' rights, he admitted the possibility of an infringement, but gave three reasons explaining Pusey's stand.

First, he pointed out, the University supplies one-tenth of the money in an NDEA loan. Second, the University should not have to administer the disclaimer if it does not believe in it. Third, Harvard has a responsibility towards other colleges to oppose the disclaimer because of its virtually unique position of financial independence.

He encouraged the students to discuss the matter among themselves and, to promote this, included a brief history of the Act and an explanation of its effect.

Monro expressed vigorous approval of the Freshman Council's plan to consider the controversy during the coming weeks.