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Sociology Race Queries Perturb Syracusans

May 17, 1933
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
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Racial groups on the campus of Syracuse University were in a turmoil today aroused by a racial attitude questionnaire circulated by an enterprising sociology student without a sense of humor.

The list of queries seeking such intimate information regarding relationships with Negroes, Italians, Poles and Jews, as “would you resent having any of these groups in one of your organizations?” or “do you ever dance with them?” seemed to sensitive students evidence of prejudice and discrimination.

Professor William Lehman, in whose class the document originated, asserted that he believes the student who circulated the petition to be innocent of any such motives, and that the author himself is a member of one of the groups enumerated.

The professor further said he was eager to confer with the promptly-organized protest committee and explain the purpose of the questionnaire before resentment against it becomes acute.

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