Martin L. Harvey to RPW letter 9/17/64 searchable text

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

Southern Branch Post Office

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Dean of Students

                                                                                    September 17, 1964

Mr. Robert Penn Warren

2495 Redding Road

Fairfield, Connecticut

Dear Mr. Warren:

I think the following will answer the questions raised in your letter of the 15^th.

1. The State Board of Education did not close the University. The period of closing was for about seven days, and this was between semesters when ordinarily most students go home anyway.

2. The official title of the Board: The State Board of Education.

3. The grave of the founder of Southern University, Dr. J.S. Clark, is on the campus. Up to several years ago, after the Founders’ Day Exercise, there was a pilgrimage by students to the grave. The ceremony consisted of the singing of the Alma Mater, and the placing of wreaths by the president of each class. This was purely voluntary. The ceremony is no longer held.

4. Ronnie Moore was a student in the University. He was suspended, not expelled, at the end of the first semester, 1961-62. I regret we do not release details of disciplinary action relating to students.

Obviously, I would ask that I not be quoted or be named in connection with these questions.

Thank you for your comments about the New York Times. I would be interested in your reaction to the statement on the “backlash” problem.

It was good to have a chance to know you when you visited the campus.

                                                            Sincerely yours,

                                                            [Signature: Martin L. Harvey]

                                                            Martin L. Harvey

                                                            Dean of Students

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