In the same box as last week’s 1983 food service menu I found something that made the hair stand up on the back of my neck:

I thought I had seen everything–at least everything important–that there was to see about the events of the Masterson Crisis but I was very wrong. A nice thick folder containing the papers of the Faculty-Student Advisory Committee was tucked in among the records of a wide variety of odd little ad hoc committees. I am, naturally, preparing to get out my detailed time line of the events and begin making additions.

I am also deeply grateful to Harold Hyman, retired member of the History Department, who made sure that these records survived. The correspondence surrounding his efforts is quite interesting. Bear in mind that both Acting President Frank Vandiver  and the Dean of Humanities Bill Topazio had been among the few supporters of Bill Masterson during those five long days in February:

Topazio in his note seems quite underwhelmed, but bless his heart, the historian in Frank Vandiver saw Hyman’s point:

Many thanks to Dr. Hyman, who saw into the future as well as into the past.

Note: I’m struggling today to find the right thing to say about the passing of Pauline Warren, who served so admirably in the front of the President’s Office for both Malcolm Gillis and David Leebron. This is far from an easy job but Pauline handled it with grace and great good humor. She was also an especially astute observer of the human condition and sat in a seat that gave her a clear view of a lot of humans in action. Almost nothing got past her, which combined with her upbeat personality to produce many happy and very funny moments. She also helped me when I needed help, even though she had my measure too. I am so glad that I knew her.

She wouldn’t let me take her picture. Even when I thought I had the drop on her she was too quick. I have a dozen like this:

Pauline Warren, rest in peace.