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April 27, 1955
The Honorable Ferris Bryent
Florida House of Representatives
The Capitol
Tallahassee, Florida
Dear'Hr. Bryant:
I as taking the liberty or writing to you on s proposed lee, in view
of your great kindness end recsptivity to ay ideas in pest years.
Unibrtunately, I an unable to be in Tillahsssee during this session
of the Legislature, so I cannot discuss this with you personally.
Senate Bill 220, which nsy he voted on by the Senate before you receive
thie.letter5 concerns vesting the authority for high school teacher
training in the College of Liberal Arts rather than the College of
Education at the University. I feel that, regardless of the pros and
cons of this method of educating secondary school teachers, the bill
is extremely Objectionable, since the technical administration or Uni-
versity programs is hardly within the proper sphere of the policyqnaking
function of the Legislature.
The Florida Legislature has been dangerously rushed in considering basic
state policy and budget. Many times legislative spokesmen have stated
that urgent constitution revision has been delayed because of inadequate
time to consider the problems involved. Surely, with this existing pres
sure of business, the Legislature cannot properly consider the merits of
the technical administration or a state university program, and also in-
form itself on the various detailed aspects of teacher training programs
and needs. The State is psying s competent administrative staff at the
state universities. This staff should be trusted to solve internal edu-
cational problems.
In the past 10 years, the University of Florida has become tug,outetanding
state university at the South. This achievement has been possible in
large part because of the degree or academic freedom permitted by the
Legislature. It is well known that many other southern states have fre-
quent legislative interference in the state school and higher education
progress, and, as a result, these progress have not gained in stature as
have those in Florida. I greatly fear that any legislative interference
in strictly technical educational problems will be an entering wedge in
upsetting this trend of outstanding progress in our university.
A further danger in legislative consideration or such a measure is the
precedent it would establish. It this bill is passed, it is fairly certain
that each biennial session will be faced with proposed legislation incor-
Page 2. April 27, 1955
The Honorable Farrie Bryant .
Florida Bonee of Representatives D
panting eone premre group'e pet peeve ebont a technicality of educa-
tionel eduinietmtiob in the Ste.
notwithstanding w tamer statue an e faculty member of the University
of Florida, College or Arte end Sciencee, I should like to etnte that
I have a very high regard for the Univereity'e College of Mention, end
its teacher training prom. It my well be that some adjustments in
this program ere needed. lo pmgm is ever perfect. But, it thin in
the cue, surely we owe it to one newly-eppointed university President,
Dr. Baits, to give bin e chemo to examine the sitnetion and initiate
action for nodifiention, before going over hie heed, and enacting arbitrary
changes by legislative action.
with my very beet wishes, I rennin,
c dinlly,
Irma: Graham
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-1 r 1V. hrIant:
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Notwithstanding my former status as of Florida, College of Arts and Sci I have a very high regard for the C it-s teacher traini.ng program. It m this progna are needed. No program the casa, surely we owe it to our n ]]r, Reitz, to give him a chance to action for riodificatios before gol changes by legislative action. Wit!my very best wishes, I remain.
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