plomas, and degrees “below the level ot'the Blasters degree"; UPEI would be expected to strengthen rather than duplicate the graduate programs of regional schools such as Dalhousie and UNB.“ rlhough the Act‘s drat‘ters had thought it would be a temporary measure,” they wrote it as itiit were a permanent one. And, more than 30 years later, it is still remarkably intact. With some small changes —— such as the allowance that the president might be a he “or she” — the charter drafted in haste in 1969 has served the university very well.

In fact, the University Act was almost too good. Ignoring in- terim needs for permanent ones, the Act placed control in the hands ofa Board and Senate. But by the time it became law, the university year was over and there was no way to run elections for these 0f- fices."0 There were millions of things to be done, only a few months until the university was to open, and the sole person with clear, un- questionable power to act, President Ronald Baker had left for England. \Vhen hired, he had been granted this last opportunity to get away and work at his own research. Amazingly, he was not to take up his new post full—time until June I.

Frantic letters from PEI followed him to England. One by SDU (and soon UPEI) registrar hlichael Hennessey was typical, begin— ning with a request for permission to put together a calendar, asking about curriculum, and concluding, “It would be helpful, too, it we knew where the Freshmen were going to be located in 1969—70.”M Baker’s response was also typical in its composure, good humour, and flexibility: this year, let's let freshman students choose any five courses, starting their program any way they see fit. “[Tlhis is not time to introduce reforms, etc. Next year is the time for that.“ Baker

assured Hennessey that in all dealings, “All we can do, l think, is

38 See l‘iirst .\nnu.tl Report (lump/'0), l’l‘il Commission on Post‘secondai‘y Education, p. :1, Pl‘il Collection.

W "University Charter: l'iit‘st Report,"‘lanuary o, loot). "lll’lfl Origins >7 University l’lannzng‘ Committee" vertical file, lolder 4, item 11. Plil Collection.

40 Ul’l'il I’i‘min’t'u/\‘n’nmm/ Rc/m‘f, iojo, in I’l‘il Collection.

.11 l lennessey to Baker, April II. who. in "lll’l‘il Origins * Baker papers — Registrar“ vertical tile, item ;, l’l‘il Collection.

x\l.:\i\' r\l.‘\Cl-I:\Clllil{N — 27