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| Title | Memorandum from Clanton W. Williams to A. D. Bruce, concerning the status of integration as of June 1, 1956 (Copy 2) |
| Creator (LCNAF) |
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| Date | June 1, 1956 |
| Subject.Topical (LCSH) |
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| Language | English |
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| Original Item Location | ID 1985-005, Box 29, Folder 17 |
| Original Collection | President's Office Records |
| Digital Collection | University of Houston Integration Records |
| Digital Collection URL | http://digital.lib.uh.edu/collection/integ |
| Repository | Special Collections, University of Houston Libraries |
| Repository URL | http://info.lib.uh.edu/about/campus-libraries-collections/special-collections |
| Use and Reproduction | This image is in the public domain and may be used freely. If publishing in print, electronically, or on a website, please cite the item using the citation button. |
| File Name | index.cpd |
| Title | Page 1 |
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| File Name | integ_201401_025_001.jpg |
| Transcript | r EXHIEIT F TO: Prs^ident A. D. Bruce FROM: Clanton W. Williams DATE: June 1, 1956 SUBJECT: Integration: Status as of June 1, 1956 1. It is my understanding that on March 19, 1956, the Board of Regents received copies of the study on Integration submitted to you by our faculty Committee on Integration on March 13, 1956. 2. In that study it was recommended that rather than our allowing the institution of legal action that we should admit at least three graduate students concurrently at the opening of the academic year 1956-57- 3* It is further my understanding that the Board took no action on this recommendation and decided tr "study the matter ... for the next two months, taking into account 11 current events relating to the problem and then together at the Jun- meeting a decision would be made/' k* Meantime, the following correspondence has taken place: a. On April 25, 1956, I wrcte to three applicants, in which I stated: "If there are several highly qualified candidates for advanced degrees vio would be willing to approach this delicate problem in a joint spirit of cooperation and finesse, it might "be appropriate for them to meet with me personally to ciscuss the matter in some detail." b. In subsequent correspondence I told two of them that their desire to attend summer school this summer simply could not be accomplished. c. In their replies, none has exhibited a determination to force our hand. One stated, "I desire no fanfare with respect to the application." Another, the cne who holds a Doctor of Optometry degree and must take clinical wo::\k before taking the State Board examination, expressed her desperate need to be admitted next Fall. The third proceeded to send me a list of eight women teachers, mostly working with handicapped or mentally retarded children, all of whom would be graduate students. She concluded: "We all hope you will be able to help us. We want to be well prepared to do a good job with all of the children. We must remember that fHe Who Teaches a Child, Labors in God!s Workshop.1 All of these people are reliable and trustworthy. We hope you will give us an appointment soon." d. I have had no correspondence with the one male teacher, Clarence W. Maugham of the faculty of Texas Southern University. Apparently he is not inclined to force the issue. e. Applicants for admissicn to undergraduate work have not been admission, but have been told "Th- matter of such admission is under serious study." f. There have been one or two applicants to the graduate dean whose transcripts were such that they would not under any circumstances be admitted. These we have rejected on the grounds of scholarship with no reference to race. 5. On Mfty 29, 1956, in response to the president's inquiry as to probable reaction Of our studentvbody should integration take place, Dean ■ J. B. Williamson replied as follows: "The subject oi integration has never been a matter of much discussion among the students ..t the University of Houston. I have .hear 1 ooth extremes of philosophy expressed. Thea:^ hnve;,1been instances of acceptance of the 'colored race whsre groux^ meeting* involved our students and negroes. 16 |