The Midpeninsula Free University

MFU Articles Published by The Stanford Daily
1966

Grad Student Ousted—For FUPA Activity?

A third year Stanford graduate student was dismissed from his teaching job at Woodside Priory School for his participation in the Free University of Palo Alto.

Charle Li, who is working for his doctorate in mathematics was notified by officials of the school that he was not to return to Woodside after the Christmas vacation.

Shortly before school resumed, Li was summoned to a meeting with Headmaster Father Christopher. Li was told that his association with "left-wing radicals" could not be tolerated by the school.

Contacted yesterday by The Daily, Father Christopher refused to comment upon the dismissal of Li. However, he said that the school had retained the law firm O'Grady, Doll, and Goodman.

Declined to Comment

James B. O'Grady declined to comment upon the dismissal. He said that the dismissal was a matter "between Mr. Li and the school."

Li told The Daily that the Catholic boys' prep school had been pressured by John Birchers for his removal. According to Li, his associates with FUPA and not his personal politics was the reason for the dismissal

School officials had been unaware of Li's private activities prior to December when his picture appeared in the Palo Alto Times as one of the organizers of the Free University. Woodside had no knowledge of his participation in various campus protest activities.

Li is a member of the Stanford Committee for Peace in Vietnam. He was the organizer of the Stanford students who picketed Maxwell Taylor's speech at Foothill College.

Not the Cause

Li emphasized that his protest activities were not the cause of his removal and were still unknown to the school.

Li is a member of the FUPA Steering Committee. When the Free University begins classes February 1, Li is scheduled to teach a course on "The Modern Revolution in China." Li refuses to label his personal politics, although he is against present Administration policy in Vietnam.

Although the school is under contractual obligation to retain Li, the Stanford graduate student said that he was not interested in a financial settlement but would attempt to be reinstated.

A Test Case

He views his dismissal as a test as to just how free American education is. Li has contacted the American Civil Liberties Union and expects their support in his fight for reinstatement. In his position as calculus and algebra teacher, Li said that his private opinions had absolutely no bearing upon his work.