[ ] [0]
Page 3
o are highbirabity— "son" is so ar to
anager Manhmitz, nager.
Rep-
York
rates:
mroon
versity
Sept.
Editors
Editor
Assistant
s Edi-
Thursday. Dec. 3. 1959 University Daily Kansan
Dean's Letter
Dear Editor:
Because I was on a trip out of the state, I have just read the article, "Growth of the Organization Man," which appeared in the November 23, 1959, issue of your newspaper. In my judgment, this article misrepresents the aims of my school, its curriculum, its students, and its faculty. It thereby performs a grave disservice to the School of Business and the University. Further, if my judgment that you have in effect "borne false witness" is valid, the article reflects most unfavorably on your paper and your profession. If the thrust of the article was to be humorous, I fear that the laughs are inaccurately and unjustly on us.
In attempting to document the misrepresentations in the article, I find myself in somewhat the same position as were some of those accused by the late Senator McCarthy. In short, "Who are the accusers?" : Messrs. Whyte and Packard?; the men of the School of Business?; Mr. Miles?; or some combination of these? Since to our knowledge Messrs. Whyte and Packard have never visited this School or read its catalogue material and since there are about 400 men in the School of Business (and I doubt that Mr. Miles interviewed each one), I conclude that the accusers are Mr. Miles and some men students of the School of Business.
As to the charges, I gather that there are two: (1) that this School deliberately tries to turn out "Organization Men" and is successful in doing so; and (2) that it issues elevator keys to students who "early" demonstrate their capacity for being "Organization Men."
Taking up the second charge first, I report that Mr. Walker was issued an elevator key because he described himself as having a physical disability of such nature that it might impair his health to walk up and down the stairs. Other students have been issued keys on the same grounds. Your reporter describes this act as "early recognition" and a "symbol of his prestige." The fact that it is neither probably not so important as the fact that the reporter either failed
to investigate the matter or deliberately distorted it.
One interesting thing about Mr. Whyte's book is how much credence it seems to be given by persons who dislike business or businessmen and how little it is given by businessmen themselves by business educators, or by social scientists who insist that conclusions be based on careful collection and evaluation of factual data. I do not deny that there are corporation executives who resemble the stereotype described by Whyte. But to conclude that the "typing" applies to a majority of such executives is folly. After all, business is not the only activity that contains a variety of "types." For instance. Hedda Hopper and James Reston both "make a living" writing for newspapers.
The charge that School of Business students either are or soon will be "Organization Men" is presented with about the same respect for truth as was the matter of elevator keys. Of course, if the reporter means by this charge that the School of Business hopes that its graduates will become effective members of useful organizations we plead unashamedly "guilty." However, his selection and employment of quotations from Whyte's book lead me to conclude that we are charged with trying to turn out men who will at all cost be jolly group members or dependent variables. If Mr. Miles, or any students in the School of Business believe that this is the School's purpose, I can only lament the gross misinterpretation, if it is a naive one, and protest against it if it is a deliberate distortion.
In reply to the accusation, therefore, let me assure you that this faculty does not believe that Whyte's "Organization Man" is the dominant species in the business world today, nor do we think that it will be in the future. Further, since we know of no leaders in the world of business who fit Whyte's model and since we seek to help our students prepare for leadership, not followership, roles, we do not advocate what might be called "organization membership."
James R. Surface Dean of the School of Business
This important new look has the easy correctness to move from dress to sporting occasions with true elan...in a fabric that's entirely worthy of it.
OLIVE OR OATMEAL
©1959-Gant of New Haven
Parking In Rear
American and European professors will teach eight courses at the University of Leiden, Netherlands, from July 11 through Aug. 19. The language of instruction will be English. The program was organized by New York University. Seymour D Claxman, associate professor of German at NYU, is director of the program.
A six-week academic summer session in Europe has been organized for American and European students for graduate and undergraduate credit.
Six-Week European Summer Term Opened
The summer session was organized with the help of the Netherlands Universities Foundation for International Cooperation. It is open to men and women students now at the junior, senior or graduate level.
The minimum total coast for transportation, board and room and tuition for one three-credit course has been estimated at $650.
Director, New York University Summer Session in Europe, University College of Arts and Science, New York University, Bronx 53, New York.
Requests for applications and further information should be addressed to Dr. Seymour L. Flaxman,
His paper is entitled "Liquid Viscosities above the Normal Boiling Point for Methane, Ethane, Propane and N-Butane." John Lohrenz, Lawrence graduate student, and G. W. Swift, a former graduate student, are associate authors of the paper.
Professor Will Read Paper at Institute
Stay with the procession or you will never catch up - George Ade
Fred Kurata, professor of chemical engineering, will present a paper at the 52nd annual meeting of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers next week in San Francisco.
Draw your salary before spending it. —George Ade
Americans spend $3 billions
COLLEGE MOTEL
NEW YORK—(UPI) Americans spent nearly $3 billion for daily and Sunday newspapers, books and magazines in 1958, with newspapers accounting for about half of the total, according to the Bureau of Advertising of the American Newspaper Publishers Association.
Member Best Western Motels
On U.S. Highways 40-59 & K-10 just off of west Lawrence Turnpike interchange on way to business district.
1703 WEST 6TH
MR. & MRS. GENE SWEENEY VI 3-0131
Air-Conditioned, Phones, TV Free Coffee, Free Swimming
A Campus-to-Career Case History
"My talk with the Bell System interviewer is really paying off"
Today, less than five years since he graduated from Michigan State University, Donald J. Zigman is an Accounting Manager for Wisconsin Bell Telephone Company in Oshkosh—with seven supervisory and 93 clerical employees reporting to him. His group handles billing for 350,-000 telephone customers and processes $1,500,000 in revenue each month.
Don has moved ahead fast and steadilybut no more so than the Bell System interviewer told him he might.
"That guy made a real impression on me," says Don. "He didn't guarantee a bright future for me. He simply described the kind of varied job experience I'd get, outlined the on-the-job training I'd go through, and pointed out the advancement opportunities I'd have along the
way. The only thing he promised me was that I would have 'maximum exposure for self-development.' He was 100 per cent right there. My training has been terrific—and I've had every chance to advance that I could possibly hope for."
After joining the company, Don spent eight months in the Plant Department learning the roots of the business. He got experience as a lineman, installer and repairman. He was transferred to Accounting in December, 1956. working in the Methods and Results section. Thirteen months later, he was Supervisor of that section—and, 14 months after that, he became Accounting Manager.
"How much farther I go now is entirely up to me," says Don. "One thing I know: the opportunities are here."
Don Zigman graduated with a B.A. degree in Economics and English. He's one of many young men who have found interesting careers with the Bell Telephone Companies. Learn what opportunities you might have. Talk with the Bell interviewer when he visits your campus—and read the Bell Telephone booklet on file in your Placement Office.
BELL TELEPHONE COMPANIES