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THE
AMERICAN
SOCIOLOGIST
American Sociological Associa+ion
REPORT of the
Committee on Organizational Relationships
Educational Interrelations Among Social Sciences
Communications to the Editor
In Memoriam
Official Reports & Proceedings
News and Announcements
Employment Bulletin
NOVEMBER 1965
Volume I Number Ir
ANNOUNCING
THE MacIVER AWARD FOR 1965
to
William 9. go odle
The Maclver Award to the author of a publication which con-
tributed in an outstanding degree to the progress of sociology
during the two preceding years is awarded this year to:
WILLIAM J . GOODE
for his book World Revolution and
Family Patterns
The Award was made for the highly skillful and imaginative
collation and organization of material on trends in family life
on a worldwide scale to be found in that volume.
The Award carries an honorarium of five hundred dollars. The
Maclver Lectureship is to be given by Professor Goode during
1965-66 before a meeting of an affiliated regional society other
than that of his own region.
The Selection Committee consisted of
Louis Schneider, Chairman
Amos Hawley
William Kolb
Gerhard Lenski
Charles Page
Gideon Sjoberg
This is the eighth Maclver Award of the Association. Previous
recipients were: E. Franklin Frazier; Reinhard Bendix; August
B. Hollingshead and Fredrick C. Redlich; Erving Goffman;
Seymour M. Lipset; Wilbert F. Moore; Shmuel N. Eisenstadt.
September 1, 1965 PITIRIM A. SOROKIN
President, 1964-65THE AMERICAN SOCIOLOGIST
November 1965 Volume I, Number I
CONTENTS
MacIver Announcement ..................................Inside front cover
Editorial Statement ..................................................2
Report of the Committee on Organizational Relationships ............... 4
Educational Interrelations Among Social Sciences--Abbott L. Ferriss ....15
Communications to the Editor
Editorial Note ...................................................... 24
Communications
Jessie Bernard ................................................... 24
Theodore Kemper ................................................ 25
Irwin Gerber ..................................................... 27
Arnold M. Rose .................................................. 28
In Memoriam
Meyer Francis Nimkoff .............................................. 30
Lowell Julliard Carr ................................................. 30
James Harold Ennis ................................................. 31
MaudeFiero ........................................................31
Bruno Lasker ....................................................... 32
Newell Leroy Sims .................................................. 32
Stanley Taylor ..................................................... 33
Official Reports & Proceedings
Report of the 1966 Committee on Nominations and Elections .............. 33
Reports............................................................ 34
Notice Concerning the 1966 Annual Meeting ............................ 48
News and Announcements
Grants, Fellowships, Awards .......................................... 49
Associations, Agencies, Institutions, etc . ................................ 50
Publications....................................................... 51
Supplementary Information-Guide to Graduate Departments of Sociology: 1965 52
Employment lhilletin .................................................58
1966 Committees and Representatives of the American Sociological
Association........................................................ 62
Calendar of Annual Meetings ........................................ 63THE THE AMERICAN SOCIOLOGIST: EDITORIAL STATEMENT
AMERICAN
SOCIOLOGIST The decision of the Executive Committee and Council of the American
Sociological Association to publish The American Sociologist is a landmark
NOVEMBER, 1965
in the development, not only of the Association, but of sociology as a dis-
Editor: TALCOTT PARSONS cipline, if this he understood to include not only the scientific character of
sociology, but also the social organization of its activities. The company of
Associate Editors: PETER H. Ross:,
those entitled to call themselves sociologists in a professional sense has grown
ELBRIDGE SIBLEY, GEORGE
very rapidly in the last generation—there are now 3,300 active members and
E. SIMPsoN, Gu y E. SWAN-
SON, GRESHAM M. SYKES, fellows of this Association, among nearly 9,000 members of all categories,
CONRAD TAEUBER, SHARON and the number of our colleagues in other countries is also rapidly increasing.
H. OBERT (ex officio) For some twenty-six years the Review has served as the primary official
organ of the Association for the publication of the scholarly output of its
Concerning manuscripts and com-
members and has also served as the channel for the publication of official
munications to the editor, address:
Editor, The American Sociologist, reports and proceedings, news and notes, obituaries and other such materials.
Department of Social Relations, 330 In 1958 under the Editorship of Charles Page, the Review introduced a
William James Hall, Harvard Uni- Section on the Profession, which went beyond these official materials and
versity, Cambridge, Massachusetts more utilitarian news items, to introduce serious discussion of problems of
02138. the profession, its functions, its internal affairs, and its relation to the non-
Concerning advertising, changes of sociological community.
address, news and announcements, However, the pressures on the Review have been growing, and the moment
employment bulletin, and subscrip- seemed to have arrived when it was both desirable and feasible to differentiate
tions, address: Executive Office, the two main functions, that of the publication of scientific and scholarly
American Sociological Association, output and that of serving as an organ of information and discussion for the
Suite 215, 1755 Massachusetts professional concerns of sociologists as a social collectivity. We expect that
Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. there will be an important area of overlap, namely where these affairs become
20036.
themselves the object of research attention. Construed broadly this would
The American Sociologist is pub- include a considerable range of work on higher education, the special develop-
lished at 49 Sheridan Avenue, Albany, ments of the social sciences, their relations to each other and to other dis-
New York 12210, quarterly in Feb- ciplines, the teaching of sociology to communicate to their colleagues. It is
ruary, May, August, and November. hoped that more space for such communications will be available than there
Applications for permission to quote has been in the Review. The Editor and his colleagues on the Editorial Board
from this journal should be addressed
cordially invite members of the Association, and others, as well, to submit
to the Executive Office. Copyright ©
1965, American Sociological Asso- communications for this purpose. It seems particularly important that we
ciation. have a healthy and representative flow of such communications, because the
profession, in general, and the Association, in particular, are involved in
Annual membership dues of the important processes of growth and change at the present time and will he for
Association, including subscription:
Student, $6; Associate, $12; Active,
$15; Fellow, $20. Application for
membership and payment of dues
should he made to the Executive AMERICAN SOCIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
Office. Members of the Council
Subscription rate for institutions and Officers of the Association for the Year 1966
non-members, $3.00. Single issues, President: WILBERT E. MOORE C
$1.50. President-Elect: CHARLES P. LOOMIS
Vice-President: ARNOLD M. ROSE *
New subscriptions and renewals will Vice-President-Elect: RUDOLF HEBERLE
be entered on a calendar year basis Secretary: ROBIN M. WILLIAMS, JR*
only. Change of address: Six weeks' Editor of American Sociological Review: NORMAN B. RYDER *
advance notice to the Executive Executive Officer: EDMUND H. VOLKART (cx officio) *
Office, and old address as well as Former Presidents: GEORGE C. HOMANS, EVERETT C. HUGHES, PITIBIM A. SOROKIN
new, are necessary for change of sub- Elected at Large: ROBERT FREF:D BALES, LEONARD BROOM, MARSHALL B. CLINARD, JAMES
scriber's address. Claims for Un- S. COLEMAN, ROBERT DUBIN, ALVIN W. GOULDNER, OswALD HALL, A. B. HOLLINC5-
HEAl), GERIIARD L:NsKl , * WILLIAM H. SEWEI.L, GUY SWANSON,C J. MILTON YINCER
delivered copies must be made
within the month following the Elected from Affiliated and Regional Societies: HIRAM J. FRIEDSAM (Southwestern),
PAUL C. GLICK (District of Columbia), ELIO D. MONACHE5I (Midwest), DANIEL 0.
regular month of publication. The
PlItcE (Southern), CHARLES SNYDER (SSSP), SHELDON STRYKER (Ohio Valley),
publishers will supply missing copies MELVIN M. TUmN (Eastern), EUGENE A. WILKENING (Rural)
only when losses have been sustained
Editor of Sociometry: MELVIN SEEMAN
in transit and when the reserve stock
* Member of the Executive Committee
will permit.
Application to mail at second class
postage rates is pending at Albany,
N.Y.the foreseeable future. The welfare of the Association and seems most appropriate to him and it will then be a
the profession depend on the opportunity for all im- matter for editorial decision in the usual manner how the
portant points of view to receive adequate expression and article is dealt with. Your Editor, however, expects to
to become known throughout the profession. keep in close touch with the Editors of the other Journals
With respect to this centrally important function the in this respect. Furthermore, he hopes that a sufficient
Editor will inevitably be faced with difficulties. The avail- number of high quality articles will be submitted, so that
able space will probably not be sufficient to publish all the limited space available for them can be fruitfully used.
communications received or to publish them in full. Hence The Editorial Board has conic to the conclusion that
a process of selection will become necessary. Furthermore, it would not be advisable for The American Sociologist
it is to be expected that questions of suitability, as well to attempt to conduct a regular book review section. It
as volume, will arise. In order to ensure the greatest pos- will not review books routinely, and for that reason no
sible fairness in both these respects, the Editor will call book review editor has been appointed. We do, however,
on the members of his Editorial Board to review cases in fully recognize that there is an output of literature of
a manner parallel to that in which Associate Editors have which the Sociologist ought to take cognizance, and that
served in the other three Journals of the Association. this is likely to grow. For the present, however, we expect
The main feature of this first issue of the Sociologist to keep on the alert for especially significant publica-
is the long-awaited Report of the Committee on Organiza- tions, and to give them such attention as seems appro-
tional Relationships, of which Robert E. L. Fans has been priate, from brief notices to a review article. It seems
Chairman, with its Preface by the President of the As- likely that there will he clusters of two, three or four
sociation, Wilbert E. Moore. The recommendations made significant publications hearing on our interests, which
in this Report raise many far-reaching issues on which will merit the latter level of attention. Had, for example,
members of the Association will wish to express their this Journal been in publication at the time of the ap-
opinions. The Editor, therefore, not only particularly pearance of Sibley's Education of Sociologists in the
invites communications bearing on these recommenda- United States, a comprehensive review article would have
tions, but will give them high priority for the two issues been mandatory. The Editor will appreciate any sugges-
(February and May, 1966) which will appear before the tions from our readers about the literature which ought to
Report is formally submitted to the Council for action. be discussed in our columns.
Communications may of course be submitted directly to
One further point. Since The American Sociologist is
the officers and other members of the Council, but those
published in the Sociologist will have a much wider a rather different kind of Journal from the other three
audience. published by the Association, devoted to the interests and
concerns of a professional group, it seems appropriate
The second primary responsibility of sociologists as a that its Editor should plan to use his office to take
group derives from the fact that they are professional occasion from time to time to formulate questions which
students of societies, including the one to which they seem appropriate to its functions, and to comment on a
belong. Furthermore, more than any of our sister-dis- variety of pertinent issues. For this purpose it is pro-
ciplines, sociology occupies a central role in understand- posed that there will ordinarily be an "Editor's Column"
ing the place of the social sciences generally and of in each issue, which will be used for this purpose. Hence,
sociology, in particular, in the society of which we are a the present statement is not a single effort after which
part. We are, therefore, committed to an especially im- the Editor's concerns will work wholly behind the scenes,
portant and difficult problem of self-study and under- but is the first of a series expected to continue as long as
standing, since, in a sense in which this is not true for he is Editor. In interpreting this column, however, it
natural scientists, it is our professional job to include should be kept clearly in mind by the Reader that the
the study of ourselves in our own program of work. Editor in no way speaks for the American Sociological
Research output of this nature will, as noted, constitute Association; he is neither an officer nor, on any other
the core of the limited function which The American basis, a member of the Council. His is only one opinion
Sociologist will discharge in the publication of scholarly which, however, by virtue of the Council having entrusted
work. It would not, however, be advisable to define this him with the present responsibility, he is privileged to
sphere too rigidly in advance. We feel that The American express.
Sociologist should deal not only with the sociological
profession as such but with its "organizational environ- Since the publication of The American Sociologist is
ment" in a variety of ways. The appropriate limits will such an entirely new venture, both for the Association
have to be defined in the course of experience. and for your Editor and his colleagues on the Editorial
There will, in this context, be a problem of overlap, Board, we will have to feel our way and will certainly
both with the Review and with Sociology of Education, introduce changes from time to time. For this reason
and, to some degree, with Sociometry. The Editor wishes again we will particularly welcome criticisms and sug-
to make clear that neither he nor the Association wishes gestions from our readers. Though it would be incom-
to impose obligation on any author to publish such patible with our responsibilities to promise their adoption
material in this Journal rather than one of the others. in advance, we do promise that all of them will be given
An author should submit his article to whichever Journal full and respectful consideration.
November, 1965REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ORGANIZATIONAL
RELATIONSHIPS
Prefatory Note: by the President of the Anierican
Sociological Association
The report presented here is that of the Committee President has yet been impeached for non-compliance
on Organizational Relationships, appointed by President with these prescriptions andindeed we have no mech-
Everett C. Hughes in 1963. Widely referred to as the anism for removing miscreants—hut I suggest that the
"Fans Committee Report," particularly during the 1965 solution is to remove the responsibility from the Presi-
Annual Meeting in Chicago, when, unfortunately, it dent. I believe that this is a case where a peculiar
became a kind of "little black box," the report is in fact dynasty could be perpetuated; cure for that defect is one
the truly joint product of an extremely able, conscien- of the virtues of the Committee's proposals.
tious, and hard-working group of our colleagues across I have also observed that currently only two members
the country. President Hughes chose this committee with of a five-member Program Committee are named by the
great care, and I know from my limited contacts with it Council, but here precedent is also wrong. In effect, the
as a collectivity and my many contacts with its members President-Elect has named the two members, ratified by
that it was not so constituted as to he a kind of mindless the Council. But surely we should reconsider that situa-
Greek chorus for its chairman, Professor Fans. tion. If I may speak firmly as the current President, it
The views of members of the Association on all sorts is not the President's program but the Association's pro-
of matters differ widely and most of these differences gram, and we should see to it that the President's hand
were ardently advocated within the Committee. Many of is steadied by suitable representation of the Association's
its recommendations come down strongly on one side of multifarious interests, to protect ourselves from able,
an organizational question. Others represent compromises strong-willed, but quite parochial presidents (a highly
among reasonable differences among reasonable men. probable combination of character traits).
Let me first thank the Committee for its labors in our Let me now speak bluntly of certain political issues,
common interests. I thank them as a member of this As- though these are the matters that I should hope would be
sociation, who happens to he in a position to get these debated at considerable length in open conclave. (1) The
few words into print, even more than as its current Presi- proposals of the Fans Committee seek to reaffirm and
dent. I know of no Committee in recent history that har restore membership participation and responsibility in
taken on such an important mission or performed it so the selection not only of governing mechanisms, but also
well. of the process of nomination. I have heard some talk to
I had the privilege of testifying before the Committee the effect that this report is a method of consolidating
at its next-to-last meeting, and came with prepared the control of a clique or cabal or establishment. Read
testimony. I first commented to my colleagues that they the proposals, please, with care, and then ask what bear-
would appreciate the temporal irony of my message, as ing they have on such a suggestion. (2) No one wants to
President-Elect. The main burden of my comment was weaken regional societies, which have important func-
that the office of the presidency should he downgraded in tions to perform. I am an active member of my regional
several particulars. There is no reason to suppose that society. but I do not think of it as either a wholly-owned
incoming presidents will he familiar with the Associa- subsidiary of the ASA, or, on the other hand, as con-
tion's practices, with the common law of precedent. The stituting a "regional bloc" in ASA decisions. Most of our
written statutes must necessarily be a poor guide to reasonable differences within the ASA have little to do
operations, and I hope that tidy, bureaucratic minds will with geography: preferences in style of sociological work,
mostly leave matters that way. But various presidential views on the selection and accountability of technical
powers appeared to me improper. .A few examples must officers of the Association, scientism versus activism as
suffice: The President, under current legislation, names the proper stance of the sociologist. These issues cut deep,
the Committee on Nominations and Elections, with and will remain, but I doubt that they have any sub-
fifteen members, the sole binding restriction being that stantial relevance to the operation of regional groups.
no less than four nor more than five members should I hope that regional societies will not get organizationally
continue from the preceding year. (Incidentally, I believe more closely integrated with the ASA, other than through
that I was illegally nominated.) There are some addi- the advisory committee proposed here. Let pluralism pre-
tional, sanctionless pieties about the committee being vail. (3) 1 believe we should continue and perhaps ex-
"broadly representative of the membership of the As- pand the recognition of affiliated societies, primarily as a
sociation, taking into account the fields of specialization basis of program cooperation. This year in Chicago not
and the geographical distribution of the members." No only did the Society for the Stud )' of Social Problems
The American Sociologistmeet just prior to the Association's convention, as usual, of The American Sociologist to submit comients for
but so did the Rural Sociological Society and the Anier- possible publication in this journal, I should welcome
jean Catholic Sociological Society. So, in effect, did the expression of view's from an )' member of the Association
newly formed Law and Society Association. The Sociolog- to inc personally. You may address me at Russell Sage
ical Research Association always meets at the time of the Foundation, 230 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017.
Association's convention but does not appear on the I cannot promise an extended bilateral correspondence, as
prograni. As long as the actual governing of the Associa- time and energy have their limits. But I can promise
tion is not at issue, program cooperation with separately referral to lii)' superiors, the membership of the Council
organized groups would seem mutually beneficial. of this Association.
I promised to be blunt, and I have fulfilled that All changes in the Constitution and By-laws, recoin-
promise. But let me he more positive: let us have all sorts mended b y the Council, will, in accord with the provi-
of associations that represent identifiable common in- sions of the Constitution. be submitted to vote by the
terests.'and let those associations have their own ways of entire voting membership of the Association.
finding what unites them. But let us have an American As sociologists we must, of course, understand that
Sociological Association, with a membership that is things fit together—else we are out of business—but this
entirely individual, dedicated only to our common con- comment is not meant to dissuade debate on proposals,
cerns as sociologists, and not filtered through regional one by one, as long as some suitable sense is exercised
identification, ideological stands, or substantive spe- relating to the context of the organizational plans as a
cialties. whole. I am not equally enthusiastic about all of the pro-
Now, let me say a word about procedure. I propose posals of this plan, but I have been impressed by the good
the following: During this year Dr. Edmund Volkart, the sense and sociological wisdom that has gone into this
Association's Executive Officer, and I hope to meet with report.
every regional society in an open membership meeting. The reforms proposed in this report offer the chance
We hope to be joined in those sessions by the one or more that we can not only hold together as a sociological
members of the regional association who served on the fraternity, despite the many intellectual, ideological, and
Committee on Organizational Relationships, members merely technical issues that divide us, but also advance
therefore testify concerning the "legislative
who can therefore to a more effective role as a learned society. The report
history" of particular proposals. Subsequent to these makes sense to me as contributing to that end, by many
regional meetings, but before the 1966 Annual Meeting, I of us devoutly desired.
hope it will he possible for the current Council of the I hope that we may, once more, find the highest rather
American Sociological Association to meet in extra- than the lowest common denominator in our discussions.
ordinary session, undisturbed b y other business, for full May I entreat you as a colleague in our common con-
discussion of the proposals, point by point. cerns to view these proposals in that light.
In addition to the invitation extended by the Editor WILISERT E. MOoRE
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE
The American Sociological Associa- ballots cast would usually he in the same session shows less than 100 bal-
tion is sixty years old, but it has been neighborhood of 150. lots cast.
a large organization for only a rela- Rapid growth of ASA membership In 1949 the Executive Committee, in
tively short time. As late as 1939 the occurred after the Second World War view of the growth of membership to
total membership was less than one and has continued to the present time, 2,450 in 1948, and the increasing com-
thousand, and its routine business was with no prospect of early leveling. It plexity of the business, as indicated by
handled by an unpaid member serving was not until 1946 that the Society an annual budget of over $20,000.
in his spare time as Secretary and established criteria for voting member- established a Committee on Reorganiza-
Treasurer. The budget was small and ship; in the previous 41 years any per- tion. The work of this committee led to
simple. Total expenses for the fiscal son willing to pay the modest dues a request to the Carnegie Corporation
year ending December 14. 1939 were could be a full member of the Amer- for a grant to support reorganizational
reported to be $7,893 1 of which $6,277 activities of the Society. The grant was
ican Sociological Society and have a
was allocated to The American Socio- made, andan enlarged committee was
voice and vote in its actions and poli-
logical Review, and only $1,615 for all appointed. It was this reorganization
cies. At the Business Meeting of De- process that first established a head-
other expenses of the organization.
cember 29, 1946, a proposal for classi- quarters with an Executive Officer with
The conduct of the scholarly and
fication of members as Active, Joint, a paid staff, although for some years
organizational affairs of the Society in
1939 was also relatively simple. De- Life, and Emeritus, and Associate. Stu- the budget for this function re'nlained
cisions were made by a small Executive dent, and Honorary, the latter three not in a meagre 12-15 thousand dollar
Committee and by the three Business having voting rights, was presented. range. A new Constitution was adopted
Meetings that were scheduled at each The recommendation was adopted in in 1951 by a mail vote of the member-
annual convention. Election of officers the Business Meeting of the following ship. It is this Constitution, with sub-
took place at the third Business Meet- day. The size of the vote is not recorded sequent amendments, under which the
ing, from nominations presented only in the published minutes. but the vote Association is now operating.
the day before, and the total number of on a controversial resolution at the Important adaptive changes were in-
November, 1965 5troduced by the 1951 reorganization. ican Sociological Association, but who, stated purposes, and none was in any
The governing responsibility was placed nevertheless, take part in selecting its way organized by the Association. The
in a Council and an Executive Commit- governing body. Members of the Asso- only formal link ever established be-
tee consisting of members of the Coun- ciation may belong to none, one, two, tween them was the 1951 unilateral
cil. Power to act in the name of the or three or more affiliated societies, and provision of the Association allowing
Association was specifically removed thereby increase their voting influence. each affiliated
affiliated society to elect one mem-
from the Business Meetings. The new Some sociological organizations, such ber of the Association Council. No tax,
Council consisted of the principal as the Sociological Research Associa- contribution, or other service was asked
officers, who were ex officio members; tion, the Canadian Sociological Asso- or received in return for this, and no
six members elected at large by the ciation, and the Catholic Sociological control by ASA over any aspect of an
membership in a mail ballot, and repre- Society, are not represented at all. affiliated society was attempted. Never-
sentatives from each of the regional A further imbalance exists by virtue theless, some members of affiliated so-
and affiliated societies, elected by those of the fact that while two members of cieties have come to conceive of their
societies. Divisions and Sections, with the Council represent substantive, representation on the Council as a mat-
responsibilities for some of the annual rather than regional, interests--those of ter of right, grounded in time-honored
program at the convention, were the Rural Sociological Society and the tradition rather than a recent constitu-
omitted. Anion., the amendments of Society for the Study of Social Prob- tional innovation, and some representa-
importance, in following years, were the lems—there is no representation on tile tives on the Council have shown indica-
establishment of tile category of Fel- Council of such other large subject mat- tions of conceiving of their duty as
lows, and the re-introduction of Sections ter interests as are represented in the representing the special interests of the
on a more systematic basis than that of Sections. In order to eliminate this in- society that elected them, rather than
earlier Sections. equity in the influence of substantive representing the interests of the As-
The total membership in 1951 was organizations, negotiations were under- sociation and its entire membership.
under 4,000, and the annual budget ap- taken in recent years to induce the two Some members have also expressed
proximately $44000. The membership affiliated societies named above to be- apprehension that the large and un-
is now over 8,000, and the budget about conic Sections, but both organizations wieldy Council produces conditions
to cross the million dollar mark. In declined, understandably since each which favor the domination of Associa-
place of a part-time Executive Officer has a well-established function, mem- tion action, the annual program, and
with a secretary or two, the Association bership, and journal. the Committee appointments, by a self-
now has a large and expanding suite Concern with these unsatisfactory perpetuating power clique, against
of offices and employees, with a full- conditions has been felt for more than which tile representation of affiliated so-
time Executive Officer. The business of ten years and discussion in subcommit- cieties on the Council was held to be a
the Association has multiplied, with tees of the Council, in the Executive desirable protection.
four journals instead of one (and prob- Committee, and no doubt extensively in The present committee has devoted
ably others to be established soon), a informal circles, has been continuous. much time to study of the arguments
monograph series, several large research During his recent term as president, andevidence relating to these beliefs,
grants, and an expanding set of impor- Everett C. Hughes published in the and is of the opinion that no conclu-
tant professional activities. August 1962 issue of the Review, a co- sions can he drawn that would be con-
gent discussion of the issue of the rela- vincing to all members of the Associa-
Current Problems of tion of the Association to its members. tion. Quite independently, however, of
the Organization He pointed out that there are federated the validity of these beliefs, it is desira-
organizations, like the American Coun- ble to assure wide and equitable par-
The present Council has thirty-two cil of Learned Societies, which were ticipation in the affairs of the Associa-
members. Recent experience has con- founded by member societies. Others, tion, and this objective is reflected
vinced many of its members, and all of and the American Sociological Associa- throughout the present recommenda-
the Committee on Organizational Rela- tion has always been of this type, were tions, especiall y those connected with
tionships, that the body is too large to established by and composed of individ- the Committee on Nominations and the
handle adequately the amount and uals. President Hughes invited discus- Committee oil
complexity of business. It has difficulty sion of the course the Association President Hughes, early in his term,
in covering tile items on its agenda at should take in relation to its affiliated announced his intention of appointing
the time of the annual meeting, and it societies, stating his preference, 110w- a committee to make a general study
is too large and therefore expensive to ever, that ". . . we adhere to the notion and produce recommendations on the
convene at other times of the year. of a society of individual sociologists"— form of organization of the Association.
Much of its work is almost perfunc- a view shared by the members of this He established the present committee in
torily delegated to other committees, committee. the spring of 1963, with one member,
often with power to act. The size of the Presentation of the above issue has Stanley tidy, added in the fall of 1964.
Council makes it almost impossible to revealed that many members of the The original assignment for tile commit-
examine any question thoroughly while Association and of affiliated societies tee was broad. Additional requests
in session. do not know the history of their origins. from the Council further widened its
The membership of the Council, as All of these organizations in fact had scope, eventually to include in effect
established by the 1951 Constitution, completely independent origins. The any aspect of the constitutional form of
produces a condition of unequal repre- The American Sociological Association, tile Association.
sentation of the membership. The affili- founded in 1905, is by far the oldest. The committee members present at
ated societies represented oil Coun- The first of the affiliated societies was the 1963 convention in Los Angeles
cil are greatly unequal in size, and have established about a quarter of a cen- held a brief meeting to discuss ways of
varying proportions of their own men- tury later. Each of the latter was organ- operating. At the same convention, two
hers who arc not members of the Amer- ized by individuals interested in their general open sessions for all ASA mem-
Tile American Sociologisthers were held, to invite comments, sug- tee that the purposes of the Association mittee, but could, by virtue of its smaller
and the flourishing of sociology would size, function usefully and responsibly
gestions, criticisms, and questions. in the brief time available to it at the
Further mail contributions from mem- be advanced by the adoption of the pro-
annual meetings and even meet at times
bers were invited. posed changes, and that these changes other than that of annual meetings when
The committee then worked by cor- would serve to maintain an appropriate necessary.
respondence through the fall and win- balance among the varied interests of All of the members of the proposed
ter, and held a one-day meeting at the the members. The proposals meet both Council, ex officio and elected-at-large,
Association headquarters in March, major criticisms of the present struc- would be responsible to the entire mem-
1964. Further correspondence con- ture by arranging a balance between bership and to all sociological interests.
efficiency (through a small Council for This appears to the committee to be the
tinued during the following year, and only fair and feasible method of han-
an additional meeting was held at the policy making) and responsibility to
dling the problem of representation, in
Montreal convention. At the same time the varied interests of the membership. view of the variety of possible interests
discussions were held between the com- which could claim the right to be repre-
mittee chairman and the ASA Council, Summary and Explanation of sented, and of the frequent and some-
as well as with members attending the times rapid changes in the interests and
the Principal Recorninenda-
convention. In the late winter of 1964 activities of the members of the Associa-
tions for Changes in As- tion.)
it was the consensus of the members sociation Structure
that it would be possible to complete
the major decisions in one more face- I. THE COUNCIL II. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
to-face meeting, and so a final two-day
A decrease in the size of the Council The Executive Committee would con-
session took place on May 21-22, 1965
is proposed, from the present 32 to a sist of 7 members, including the Presi-
in Washington, D.C. This report pre-
total of 14, consisting of five ex officio dent, Vice-President, President-Elect,
sents the judgments resulting from the
members—the President, Vice-Presi- and Secretary, and three members
entire two-year process.
(lent, President-Elect, immediate past elected by the Council from the at-large
During the period of its labors. the
President, and the Secretary—and nine Council membership.
committee has had the benefit of con-
members elected-at-large by the mem- The President would preside over the
sultation with several past and future
bership of ASA. The at-large members meetings of the Executive Committee,
presidents and other officers, with
would serve three-year terms, so stag- and in his absence the Vice-President
officers and members of affiliated so-
gered that three would be retired and would preside. A quorum would con-
cieties, and with individual ASA mem-
three elected each year. At-large inem- sist of four members, of which at least
hers. It has also had the benefit of valu-
able information and assistance from hers would not be eligible for immedi- two must be other than ex officio mem-
ate re-election. (The committee pro- bers.
the Executive Officer, Gresham Sykes,
poses that during the transition from The Executive Committee would
and the staff of the Washington office.
the present to the proposed Council, all have power to act for the Council when
Many criticisms and suggestions were
members then on the Council be per- the Council is not meeting, and at such
made and examined at length. Some
mitted to complete the terms for which times would as at present have all the
ingenious ideas were found to be im-
they were elected.) powers and responsibilities of the Coun-
practical for such a body as the ASA,
The Council would be the governing cil, subject to its policies and such in-
and some criticisms of present opera-
body of the Association and have ulti- structions as the Council may give. The
tions were discovered to be unjustified.
III however, the committee mate authority for all of its actions. Its Executive Committee, in consultation
meetings would be presided over by with the Executive Officer, would have
benefited greatly from the wide range
the President, and in his absence by the responsibility for preparation of an
of communications received. Many sug-
the Vice-President. A quorum is to con- agenda for Council meetings, but the
gestions which were not adopted by the
sist of 8 members, of which at least Council of course could alter this
committee were thoroughly considered
two must be officers and at least four agenda.
in detail, including the idea of Council
representation by regions rather than must be members-at-large. Authority to (Explanatory comment: The Execu-
by regional associations, the concept interpret the Constitution and By-Laws tive Committee may be convened, at As-
of a two-house parliament, the sug- would reside in the Council, except sociation expense, at any time of year,
gestion that political parties he formed, that when the Council is not in session and thus for the sake of economy and
and various others. Further sugges- the Secretary would be empowered to efficiency it should remain small in size.)
tions, such as the maintenance of the make provisional rulings subject to re-
one-member-one-vote principle in the view by the Council at its next meeting. III. THE PRESIDENT
electoral process, are among the recom- The Council is given responsibility to
appoint, and may remove by majority Election and duties would be as at
mendations of the committee. Still present except for minor change in
other suggestions, such as the dee- vote, the Executive Officer, the Secre-
tary, and the Editors of the journals responsibility for annual program, as
tion of the Association nominating com- noted below, and for making appoint-
mittee by the affiliated societies, were published by the Association.
ments to fill vacancies on committees.
not adopted, but materially influenced (Explanatory comment: As noted in
the committee's recommendations. the preceding general statement, the
smaller Council would be far more able IV. THE VICE-PRESIDENT
After careful consideration of these
various suggestions and criticisms, the than the present Council to discuss fully Election and duties also would be as
committee has arrived at the recom- and to bear responsibility for the im- at present, with the additional respon-
portant decisions of the Association. It
mendations summarized below and would still have the benefit of the work sibilities of serving as chairman ex
stated in a proposed Constitution. It is of other committees, and would make officio of a new Committee on Regional
the unanimous judgment of the commit- use of the services of an Executive Com- Societies (described below in XIII) and
November, 1965of a proposed Council committee to (Explanatory comment: It is desirable regional societies, as well as the fact
nominate candidates for the Nomina- that supervision of the affairs in the that not all members of ASA belong to
tions Committee and the
the Committec on Executive Office he in the hands of one a regional society, and not all members
clear, experienced, and knowledgeable of a regional society belong to ASA. The
Committees, and to preside over meet-
authority, available for frequent and Committee proposal, on the other hand.
ings of the Association, the Council
short-notice communication with the has two advantages. it provides that all
and the Executive Committee in the Office. The President is not the most re g ions of the country plus Canada, be
absence of the President. appropriate official for this duty, since he divided into districts approximately
is often new to the conduct of Associa- equal in number of members, and take
V. THE SECRETARY tion affairs, serves for only one year, part in the nouunating process, so that
may reside in an area distant from the worthy candidates are less likely to he
Duties and responsibilities would be Executive Office, and is always heavily overlooked. It also gives the voting nuelu-
as at present but are stated more ex- engaged in his special responsibilities, hership as a whole a final choice in the
plicitl y , in order to make his function which include work on the program of selection of this important committee.
the annual meeting and his major part The committee proposes that during
more clear to the membership. He
in it. The Secretary, specifically chosen the transition from the present to the
would he elected by the Council for a Oil the basis of his experience with As- proposed Constitution, five members
three-year term, from a slate of candi- sociation business, with a small rotating would he elected the first year to serve
dates (proposed by the Executive Com- committee, also selected on the basis of for a three-year period and the balance
mittee before initiation of any formal qualification and availability, would of the members would he appointed for
negotiations with a candidate). seem to be the best link between the a one-year term. Thus, over several years
Council and the Executive Office.) the succession of elections would expand
the number elected and contract Hit-
VI. THE ExEcuTivE: OFFICER The function of managing such long-
number appointed.)
term investments as the Association
This official would be elected by the
ma y have, formerly handled by the
Council on terms as negotiated (but
Committee on Budget and Investment. X. Coi M ITTEE ON COMMITTEES
F.ES
only after a slate of candidates pro-
is suggested for a Committee on Invest-
posed by a Committee on the Executive The method proposed for the selec-
ments.
Office and Budget is approved by the tion of this Committee is the same as
Council) - lie would serve at the that for the Committee on Nominations.
pleasure of the Council, with agree- VIII. Erarotus OF JOURNALS
The purpose also is to discover new
ments or contracts respected. During talent and to widen participation in
Editors are to be chosell from a slate
his term the Executive Officer could Association affairs. The transition
of candidates proposed by the Commit-
hold no other office in the Association. would he arranged as in the case of the
tee on Publications and approved by
The Executive Officer, as at present. Committee on Nominations.
the Council in meeting or by mail bal-
would perform such duties and execute
lot of the Council.
such 1)01 Ides as may he assigned to him
by the Council or Executive Comnlittec Xi. Peoctua COMMITTEE
IX. COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS
and as described in the By-Laws: He
would have charge of the central office In order to foster a continuing search It is proposed that the Program Comui-
of the Association, and be responsible for new talent in the Association and mittec. now Consisting of the President-
for the administration of the office staff. to promote widespread and responsible Elect, the Vice-President-Elect, the,
Ile would have custod y of the Associa- participation in Association affairs, it Secretary, and two members of the
tions funds, discharge its obligations, is proposed to change this 15-member Association elected b y the Council for
and maintain its accounts, lie would he committee from one appointed by the two- y ear terms, he changed to consist
responsible to the Council t hroiigli the President to one of rotating member- of the President-Elect (chairman ex
Committee on the Executive Office and ship. nominated b y the nine at-large officio), the Secretary, and four mern-
Budget, and its chairman. the Secre- members of the Council plus the Vice' hers elected by the Council. It is
tary, and would consult with the Presi- President. and elected by mail ballot further specifically proposed that a
dent and Secretary on questions of of tile entire ASA membership from a mechanism for regtllar consultation
execution of polic y . He would make systematicall y geographically distrib- with Sections regarding their place on
regular reports to the Council and to uted list of twice as many candidates the program be established, and that
the membership of the Association. as are to be elected to the committee. requests from hotil organized and un-
organized interests be considered.
(Explanatory comment: Since corn-
VII. COMMITTEE ON THE EXECUTIVE nlunications from the membership have (Explanatory comment: In effect, this
OFFICE ANt) BUDGET indicated a concern for broader partic- is a slight but appropriate reduction of
ipation in the nomination and election the personal influence of the President
This committee would combine the
of members to various offices of the As- on the annual program. Early Presidents
budgetary responsibilities of the for- sociation, it appears desirable to provide customarily built programs around a
mer Committee on Budget and Invest- the most representative means feasible theme, often representing their individ-
ment withthe related responsibility for for nominating the elective officials of ual views of sociology, but with the
supervision of the Executive Office and the Association. One proposal received growth of the membership amId time in-
the Executive Officer, and the super- by the committee, that affiliated societies creasing diversity of interests, the an-
vision of elections. The Secretary select the members of the Committee on nual meetings have properly acquired a
Nominations, does not appear to he the function much wider than that of
would be chairman ('X officio, with three
best solution. It would not only turn celebrating the career of its honored
members to be elected by the Council
over an important function of ASA to President. Experience has indicated tile
for two-year staggered terms. The com- entirely separate and independent organ- desirability of extending time range of
mittee would report regularly to the izations, but would also include serious judgments regarding the design of pro-
council. biases from the fact of unequal size of grams at the meetings.)
Time American SociologistXII. THE SECTIONS sessions. It appears to be desirable, how- President and Vice-President, respec-
ever, for the session to remain as a tively, for one-year terms.
No proposal is offered for change in device for two-way communication of
the procedures and requirements for officers and members.) Section 2. The other officers of the
establishing Sections. It is suggested, Association shall he elected by the
Specific proposals for putting into
however, that new sections have pro- Council, and shall be a Secretary, an
visional status for their first five years. effect the above recommendations, by
constitutional ameri(luneut are presented Executive Officer, and Editors of jour-
A new Committee on the Sections. nals sponsored by the Association. The
below.
appointed by the Council, is proposed. Secretary shall he elected by the Coun-
The duties of this body would be to re- cil for a three-year term; the Executive
view annually the relation of the Committee on Organizational Officer and the Editors shall he elected
Association to Section activities and to Relationships by the Council for terms to be fixed by
render appropriate reports and reconi- ROBERT E. L. FAttts, Chairman the Council. (See By-Laws. Art. III.)
niendations to the Council.
Carroll Clark Raymond Mack
(Explanatory comment: Ih(! place of Article V. Official Publications
Sections in the Association is still evolv- Albert Cohen Charles Page
ing, and a body giving constant atten- G. Franklin Edwards Stanle y Udy, Jr. Section 1. The Association shall main-
iOn to e,. perience wit ii Sect ions is Morton B. King John lJseem tain a journal entitled the American
iiemierl for wise Council decisions con- Eugene Wilkening Sociological Review. (See By-Laws. Art.
cerning them.) IV.)
XIII. Cotai ITT EL ON REGIONAL Proposed Revi- Section 2. The Association shall issue
A trAinS such other regular or occasional publi-
sion of Constitution cations as it deems necessar y in the
It is proposed that a new body he and By-Laws, American promotion of its objectives.
established to deal with any regional Sociological Association
aspects of Association activity, incitud.
Article VI. Committees
iuig relations with regional societies. CON STITUTI ON
'flie Vice-President is proposed as Section 1. The Association shall con-
AND
chairman ex officio, and the committee stitute a Council from among its mtem-
BY-LAWS hers who are eligible to vote. The Coun-
in ciii hersiti p Woil Id he composed of one
representative of each regional society, CONSTITUTION OF THE cil shall lie the permanent governing
each chosen by means. and for terms, AMERICAN SOCIOLOGICAL bod y of the Association, except insofar
decided by his regional society. as the Association delegates govern-
ASSOCIATION
mental functions to officers or to other
Lxplaiiotori comm C!! t : A uliong the
responses fromthe membership has been Article I. liie committees independent of or in co-
a statement of need for communication operation with the Council.
and liaison between regional societies Section 1. The Association shall he
known as the American Sociological Section 2. The Council shall consist
and the AS A. The suggested committee
is designed specifically for these pur- Association. of 14 members: 5 ex officio, and 9
poses.) elected-at-large. The ex officio members
Article H. Objects shall be the President, Past President.
XJ\T . ANNUAl. RF: pottT or Ortict:ns President-Elect, Vice-President, and
Section 1. The objects of the Associ- Secretary. The members-at-large shall
TO MEMIIEI1S
ation shall lie to stimulate and improve Ile elected for 3 year terms, staggered
It is proposed that at the annual research, instruction and discussion, with 3 elected each year. No member-
meeting, one or more open sessions shall and to encourage cooperative relations at-large shall he eligible for re-election
be Ilelil for the purpose of reporting among persons engaged in the scien- to the Council until one year after the
on the welfare anti activities of the tific study of society. expiration of his term.
Association by its officers, who would
be present to answer questions from Article Ill. Membership Section 3. As the permanent govern-
the members attending the meeting. Ac- ing body of the Association, the Council
Section 1. Any person interested in
tion by this meeting is to he limited to shall be responsible for the formulation
the objects of this Association shall be
requests to the Officers and to the Coun- of policy and the general direction of
eligible to membership. The forms of
cil for consideration of relevant sub- the affairs of the Association, and shall
membership and the privileges and dues
jects and issues. call regular and special meetings of
of members are set forth in By-Laws.
the Association. It shall have the power
(Explanatory comment: The annual Art. 1.
business session is re-defined in accord- to fill vacancies in its elective member-
ance with the historic decline of its ship occasioned by death, resignation,
Article IV. Officers or failure to elect, such appointees to
purpose. For man y years this business
susvion elected the officers and made Section 1. The directly elected offi- hold office until the next annual meet-
most of the decisions of the organiza- cers of the Association shall be a Pres- ing. The authority to interpret the Con-
tion. With the growth of members and ident, President-Elect, a Vice-President, stitution and By-Laws resides in the
the complexity of the - Association and a Vice-President-Elect. 'l'hie Pres- Council. When the Council is not in
activities and budget, as well as the ident-Elect and Vice-President-Elect session, the Secretary may make pro-
small, unrepresentative, and probably de-
clining proportion of members present at shall he elected by the membership. visional rulings subject to review by the
the business meetings, it has become in- The President-Elect and the Vice- Council at its next meeting. The Coun-
creasingly impractical for governing ac- President-Elect shall serve for one year, cil shall appoint and may remove by
tions to lie wisely undertaken at these and shall then automaticall y become majorit y vote time Executive Officer, the
November, 1965Secretary, or the Editors of the various cil shall report to the Association and terion (c) above shall have major com-
journals sponsored by the Association. respond to questions from the member- mitment to the field of Sociology.
Meetings of the Council shall be con- ship. Others who have been Active members
ducted according to Robert's Rules of for five years may on request have their
Order. Article VIII. Special Funds credentials for Fellowship reviewed by
and Endowments the Classification Committee. In addi-
Section 4. Eight members, including
tion to the rights of Active members,
at least two officers and four members- Section 1. The Association may solicit
the Fellows alone shall be eligible for
at-large, shall constitute a quorum of and receive special funds and endow-
election to office, membership on the
the Council. When the Council is not ments. Expenditure of such funds shall
Council, and chairmanships of standing
in session, questions may be submitted he authorized only by the Council.
committees. The dues shall he twenty
by mail to all members for their vote.
dollars per annum, payable ill advance.
A simple majority of the members in Article IX. Amendments
attendance, or returning mail ballots, Section 4. Registered undergraduate
shall control Council decisions, pro- Section 1. The Constitution may be
and graduate students in residence at
vided the above provisions for a quorum amended by a two-thirds affirmative vote
educational institutions who have not
are met. The tally of mail ballots shall of those voting in a referendum sub-
completed all requirements for the
be reported promptly to all members mitted by mail to the voting members
Ph.D. degree and who are sponsored
of the Council. of the Association.
by a member of the Association ma y he
Section 2. Amendments may be pro- admitted to Student membership in the
Section 5. The Council shall consti-
posed by the Council or by petition of Association for a period not to exceed
tute from among its members an Ex-
at least 50 voting members of the Asso- five years. The dues shall he six dol-
ecutive Committee which shall have
ciation. lars per annum, payable in advance.
continuing responsibility for the imple-
A Student member shall have the rights
mentation of the policies and programs Section 3. All proposed amendments and privileges in Article I, Section 1,
established by the Council. The Execu- to the Constitution shall he communi- above.
tive Committee shall act on behalf of cated to the voting membership at least
the Council when the Council is not in fifty days prior to the vote on the Section 5. Any member of the Asso-
session subject to its policies and to amendment. ciation may become a Donor by the
such instructions as the Council may payment of fifty dollars or more per
give, and the Executive Committee shall BY-LAWS OF THE annum.
make regular reports of its activities
AMERICAN SOCIOLOGICAL Section 6. Any Fellow or Active mem-
to the Council. The right to make
ASSOCIATION ber of the Association when retired by
changes in the Association policy is
his institution, provided that he has
reserved to the Council. The Executive Article I. Membership and Dues paid dues to the Association continu-
Committee shall have the responsibility
Section 1. The membership of the As- ously for at least twenty years, may
for preparing a working agenda for
sociation shall consist of the following become an Emeritus member of the
Council meetings, in consultation with
classes: Fellows, Active members, Asso- Association. An Emeritus member pays
the Executive Officer; the final agenda
ciate members, and Student members. no dues, but shall have all rights and
shall be determined by the Council.
Each member shall have the right to privileges of his last class of member-
Section 6. The Executive Committee attend all meetings of the Association, ship.
shall consist of the President, Vice. and shall be entitled to one subscrip- Section 7. Any person interested in
President, President-Elect, and the Sec- tion to the American Sociological Re- study, teaching. research oror practice in
retary, plus three members to be elected view and to such other publications as Sociology, or in closely related fields of
by the Council from the at-large mem- the Council may decide. scientific interest, may be admitted to
bership of the Council for terms to be Associate membership in the Associa-
Section 2. Active members shall have
fixed by the Council. tion upon payment in advance of twelve
the right to vote. The dues shall be
Section 7. Four members of the Exec- fifteen dollars per annum, payable in dollars per annum. An Associate mem-
utive Committee, of which two must advance. To be eligible for Active mem- ber shall have the rights and privileges
be other than ex officio members, shall bership an applicant must have: specified in Article I, Section 1, above.
constitute a quorum at meetings, and (a)—a Ph.D or equivalent profes- Section 8. Joint membership ill the
a majority vote of the members in at- sional training in Sociology, or categories for which they are respec-
tendance shall control its decisions. (b) —substantial professional achieve- tively eligible may be taken out by a
ment in Sociology, or husband and wife. The dues shall he
Section 8. The Association and the (c)—a Ph.D or its equivalent or sub- those of the husband or wife alone,
Council may establish such committees stantial professional achive- whichever are the higher, plus an addi-
as may he necessary for the conduct of ment in a closely related field, tional two dollars. Both members shall
the Association's affairs. provided that the applicant's have all the rights and privileges of
interest and activities have so- their respective classes of membership
Article VII. Meetings ciological emphasis or impli- in the Association, provided that they
Section 1. The Association shall hold cation. shall together be entitled to one sub-
at least one meeting each year, at a Section 3. On completion of five years scription to the Association's publica.
time and place to be determined by of Active membership, a member shall tion (s) as specified in Article I, Sec-
the Council. At each annual meeting automatically become a Fellow, pro- tion 1, above.
there shall be at least one general meet- vided that those whose eligibility for Section 9. Decisions concerning eligi-
ing at which the Officers and the Coun- Active membership rested upon cri- bility for membership in any class shall
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