'A recent story implied that the UMW faculty supports the return of President Frawley to his duties ["UMW faculty leaders hope Frawley returns," April 17]. I do not presume to know what consensus, if any, exists among the faculty, but I want to state emphatically that this is not my sentiment, nor is it, from my observation, the feeling of numerous others.

While everyone of good will wishes President Frawley full recovery from his physical problems and refuses to prejudge his legal problems, it must be said that his recent actions have damaged his ability to lead the university.

I believe the damage is permanent and in no place more so than the realm of public opinion. His statement that "the events are highly unusual and totally out of character" does little to dispel concerns about his alleged behavior--"highly unusual" does not mean unprecedented.

A university president's reputation is inseparable from his ability to lead. The best possible interpretation one can put on these events is that they show a significant lapse in judgment and, as such, affect everyone's perceptions about the president's leadership. Equally important, they raise, in my mind, the potential of a future lapse of judgment.

It is within this framework of understanding that I raise these questions: What will be the image of UMW for prospective students? What about community attitudes? Will private benefactors be affected by these events?

Internally, what effect would the possible decline of respect have upon morale within staff and administration? Worse, what message do we send our students who are constantly discouraged from the use of alcohol and who are bound by the Honor System?

While I am confident that all members of the UMW community have only the sincerest wishes for our president's good health, the Board of Visitors must be concerned not only with matters of personal health, but institutional health as well.

I have spent a lifetime teaching at this university, and this is the most unhappy set of circumstances I have seen.'

Arthur L. Tracy, Fredericksburg. The writer is associate professor of history at UMW.