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...particular, no matter what Pattullo's personal views are, he should not let them influence his professional behavior. We hope, too, that we are wrong to share the fears of many in the GSA--that what Pattullo chose to say publicly, many administrators and faculty feel privately...
...recent "Brass Tacks" editorial ("A Question of Tolerance," May 3, 1982). Paul Engelmayer strays from his usually cogent and well-reasoned style. The piece contains a number of factual errors concerning GSA's petition drive in response to the suggestion of E.L. Pattullo (Director, Harvard University Center for the Behavioral Sciences) that homosexuality be eradicated through the application of "negative social pressures" and, in addition, entirely ignores the chilling effect of such views on research in the three departments Pattullo overseas...
First, to correct the factual errors. It is not only GSA members who are upset--alumni, professors, staff, and non-gay students are also concerned and have signed the petition Nor is it true that Pattullo was "clearly speaking as a layman" by signing his title and using the first person plural ("we would think [the discouragement of homosexuality] a good thing"), he suggests that his views reflect the policy of the Center...
...addition, Engelmayer claims GSA sought to "silence [its] critics" and "corner the market of ideas." Perhaps Mr. Engelmayer has not carefully read the GSA petition--its first request is that Pattullo clarify his position, an invitation for further dialogue that Pattullo has not responded to. Nowhere does the petition call for silence. As for Engelmayer's suggestion that the appropriate respond to the Pattullo letter would be for Dean Rosovsky to affirm the Faculty's commitment to diversity--well, this suggestion would seem more aptly directed to the Dean himself...
...precarious position of lesbian and gay students, research, and teaching--how many gay studies courses are there at Harvard?--Engelmayer's concern would be more justifiably focussed on the chilling effects of unrefuted bigotry than on the pitfalls of discouraging future bigots from revealing themselves. J. French Wall '83 GSA President Lenathan I. Handel '83 GSA Vice President