5/19/1973, Burlington Free Press

GODDARD STUDENTS ASK WITHERSPOON TO QUIT

PLAINFIELD - More than 100 Goddard students and faculty pressed into a trustees meeting here Friday and many of them asked for the resignation of the college's president.

The students raised questions about the quality of leadership provided by Gerald S. Witherspoon, a former Vermont tax commissioner.

"The mood of the meeting was 'We're moving in the right direction'," said one student, commenting about the college president.

Other students questioned the college's finances, philosophy, academic direction and many other issues. According to one faculty member, the trustees were forced to discontinue consideration of agenda items in order to hear from the students and faculty.

A group of concerned students has prepared a report on the college's finances and they say their figures indicate the college spends about twice as much on administrative costs as is recommmended in guidelines from the Department of Health, Education and Welfare.

Another study shows the college is experiencing cash flow problems and is required to make substantial short-term loans in order to meet operating expenses.

The trustees are scheduled to continue their meetings this morning on the Goddard campus. Some students and faculty describe the climate in the college community as impossible for the functioning of an administration under Witherspoon's leadership.