Jane Lathrop Stanford Papers

43

Leland Stanford Junior University

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Stanford University, Cal., May 28, 1901

EXHIBIT ''Q''.

Dear Sir:

The following circular letter, undated, mailed May 27th, 1901, in San Francisco, has been received by members of the Faculty of Stanford University:

The University of Nebraska

Lincoln.

Dear Sir:

I wish to bring to the attention of my former Colleagues a matter of fact touching my honor.

Many seem to have the impression that in 1897 I allowed my footing in the University to be changed. I wish therefore to state distinctly that I never accepted a peculiar, irregular or probational status in Leland Stanford Junior University.

The contrary impression appears to arise from a document dated April 3, 1897 which is addressed to me and is in the form of reappointment for 1897-8 and a leave of absence on half pay for 1898-9, but attaches the condition that I am to hand in at once my resignation as Professor of Sociology the same to be ultimately accepted by the President if the best interests of the University should seem to require it.

Surely, in showing this document as evidence of my probational status, the University authorities must have forgotten that it is now in their hands because I promptly returned it to the President with the statement that I was unwilling to comply with its terms. They overlook the fact that I never wrote the resignation it called for and cannot that in consequence of my protest the document was revoked and I received on April 8, 1897 a reappointment absolutely without conditions.

Very respectfully yours,

Signed, E. A. Ross.

Under date of April 8th, the following memorandum, a copy of which is on record, was mailed to Professor Ross:

Memorandum.

To Dr. E. A. Ross:

It is understood that unless Dr. Ross should choose to do otherwise, he shall retain the Professorship of Social Science for 1897-98 on the present terms, and that in 1898-99 he shall have the usual sabbatical year on the same terms as other professors, if such leave of absence be then granted. It is further understood that he shall retire from the University