Dean Denies Charge of Jewess That New York University Refused Her Dental Post Because of Racial Disc

The charge made by Dr. Anna K. Bruenn that there is anti-Semitic discrimination in the New York University’s College of Dentistry, and that she was not reappointed to her post as instructor in the Department of Operative Technology because she is a Jewess, is wholly false, according to a statement issued yesterday by Dr. Allen T. Neuman, Dean of the College of Dentistry, to a representative of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

Dr. Bruenn, who is a dentist, was not reappointed to her post in the College of Dentistry, not because of any anti-Semitic discrimination which she claims, but because she proved to be inefficient, according to Dr. Neuman.

Dr. Bruenn has in her possession a letter written by the personnel director of the Medical Bureau about a year ago, which reads in part:

“One of the openings for a dental instructor is in New York City. However, since it will require a Gentile, it is not exactly suitable for you. We are sorry.

“It is offered by New York University at a salary of $2,200 a year and the work is in operative dentistry.”

Dr. Neuman admitted that such stipulation was made by Dr. W. H. O. McGehee, head of the Operative Technology Department, who has six Jewish instructors out of a total of nine, in his various departments, and that this stipulation was made for no other reason than that Dr. McGehee wanted to balance his teaching staff evenly between Jews and Gentiles, “but should a competent Jewish instructor apply for the job he would not be turned away,” insisted Dr. Neuman.

In the meantime, Dr. Bruenn has communicated with Chancellor Brown of the New York University and in a letter made public today stated:

“In justice to New York University, its student body and members of all religious denominations, especially those who contribute to the financial support of the university, it behooves you immediately to make a thorough examination.

“Your findings, I know, will be in accord with the facts already made public. I am therefore constrained to request the discharge of the responsible persons who so deliberately and unjustifiably discriminated against me.”

The Chancellor’s office has so far, received no such communication, according to a statement made by Professor Alvin Busse, director of the Bureau of Public Relations.

Dr. Neuman, however, stated that the student body of the school is composed of approximately 80% Jews and on the teaching staff of 132 professors and instructors there are 12 Jewish professors and 47 Jewish instructors, “which does not sound like discrimination,” he continued.

“The school does not have any recommendations nor any unwritten rulings that would bar or prefer Jews on the teaching staff. Approximately 63% of the instructors who are now on our staff are Jews and there is no intention whatsoever of discrimination against them,” Dr. Neumann further stated.

Since the termination of Dr. Bruenn’s activities with the University, the College has expanded and in Dr. Bruenn’s place there are two instructors, one German and one Jew.

The only requisites for a teaching job in the College of Dentistry, according to Dr. Neuman is a knowledge of Dentistry, and ability to teach.