Brandeis Loses Two Professors In Speech Fight

A highly emotional series of charges and counter-charges concerning academic freedom have resulted in the resignation of two professors at Brandeis University.

David L. Aberle, former head of the Brandeis anthropology department and his wife, Kathleen Gough Aberle, assistant professor of anthropology, have resigned in the face of harsh criticism from Brandeis president Abram L. Sachar concerning a pro-Cuba speech made by Mrs. Aberle at the height of last October's Cuban crisis.

Although Sachar has cited concomitant reasons for his dissatisfaction with Mrs. Aberle, it is reported that pressures on her to leave did not begin until after she addressed an audience of students on October 24. At that time, she criticized the American policy towards Cuba and said "I also hope that if there is a limited war Cuba will win and the U.S. will he shamed before all the world and her imperialistic hegemony in Latin America will be ended forever."

Spectators have confirmed that the reaction to Mrs. Aberle's remarks at the time was mild, as was the tone of her delivery.

Peace March Class

A week later, Mrs. Aberle was called into Sachar's office and reprimanded for her "language and manner" in giving the talk; Sachar told her, she reported, that her remarks were "dangerous and reckless." He also criticized the dismissal of one of her classes in order to enable the students to participate in a peace march. Mrs. Aberle has stated that all the students had acquiesced and that the class work was made up later.

Sachar's reprimand was accompanied by the information that Mrs. Aberle would not receive tenure; three weeks ago she and her husband resigned. The Brandeis Faculty Senate will meet tomorrow to consider the case.