Court Says No to Harvard's Request to Drop Isaac's Case

A federal judge recently denied Harvard request that the court dismiss a tenure complaint filed by former assistant professor Ephram Isaacs, saying the case raises "genuine disputed issue of material fact.

As a result of the decision handed down by Indge Walter J Skinner 48 of the First Distinct federal Court in Boston, Harvard may have to release information concerning hiring and lenuring processes.

Isaacs former assistant professor of Afro-American Studies, charged that in denying him tenure in 1975 the University discriminated against him on the basis of his face and Elliopran nationality. He alleged that this discrimination had led to irregularities in procedures in his case and that the procedure followed by Harvard in evaluating applications for tenure in the Afro-American Studies Department were inconsistent with those followed in regard to all other departments.

Dianne B. Fraser assistant general counsel to the University, said yesterday that Harvard asked that the ease be dismissed because "We don't feel that the allegations make a case of discrimination not do we feel that many of the things alleged as fact are time."

Harvard filed for dismissal of the case following a series of interrogatories filed by Isaac's attorney; Theodore Landmark questioning employment and tenure procedure and requesting reasons for the large difference in the numbers of tenured Black and white professors.

Fraser said yesterday that the University has a right to object to questions that are not relevant. If the plaintiffs pursue the questions further, the courts may decide how much information Harvard must provide.

Isaacs, now a visiting professor at Princeton University said yesterday he was pleased with the decision.