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I I I •.. May 31, 1962 THE PROBLEM OF WORK PERMITS FOR PROFESSIONAL STAFF I) The Egyptian Government did not grant a work permit for Dr. Henry Russell, appointed November I, 1961, as Associate Director of the Division of Public Services, and, as a result, his visa was not extended, and he had to leave Egypt in mid-April. This is the first time that a major appoint­ment to the University on the professional level has not been confirmed by the Egyptian Government through the Issuance of a work permit. In my opinion, therefore, It Is a situation that deserves consideration by the Executive Committee; not only that we may understand the circumstances of this particular case, but that we may determine what the Unlversity's position should be with respect to the Egyptian Government on such a basic issue as the choice of Its own professional staff. 2) To see the magnitude of the problem let us consider the significance of this circumstance both to Dr. Russell himself, and to the University. 3) Dr. Russell Is a man of 51 years, with a wife and three children. He was born In Egypt of missionary parents (his father was presIdent of Assult College for many years), speaks Arabic, and has a great Interest In Egypt. He holds a Haverford A.B. degree and an M.A. and Ph.D. from Harvard. He taught at Bowdoin for many years, and for the last seven years was involved In fund raising, and some adult education particularly In international affalrs, for the American Friends Service Comnlttee. It Is no simple thing for a man of his status and family responsibility to give up a Job, change the schooling plans for his children, rent his home on a long-term basis, and seek to establish himself in another continent, then, within a period of a few months, have to go through the entire adjustment again. Nor Is It a small thing for the University. We agreed to pay Dr. Russell at the rate of $11,500 per year, with a contract ending with the fiscal year, August 31, 1962; to pay travel expenses, baggage, settling In costs, medical examinations and the like. Our total expenses (which are virtually a total loss, excepting for what can be salvaged in the way of his services in America until August 31st) will amount to some $17,000. This Is the smaller of our losses. The development of program In the Division of Public Services will be delayed a full year, If not conslder­ab ly more, at a time when It wou Id have been very strategic to have moved forward In this program area. Our worst loss, however, Is a status loss with refer~ to the Egyptian Government