DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | University of Iowa anti-war protests, January-April 1971 | 1971-02-05 Des Moines Register Article: U Of I Hearing Turns Forum""

Transcribe
Translate

University of Iowa anti-war protests, January-April 1971

1971-02-05 Des Moines Register Article: U Of I Hearing Turns Forum""

Des Moines Register
Fri., Feb. 5, 1971 Page 6
U of I Hearing Turns Forum 
By Larry Eckholt (Register Staff Writer)
IOWA CITY, IA- A hearing into a Dec. 9 sit-in at the University of Iowa (U of I) placement office began here Thursday, and it was difficult to determine who is on trial- 10 campus militants accused of violating U of I conduct rules, or university for allowing a military intelligence recruiter to appear on campus. 
Despite objections by it presiding officer, former Iowa Supreme Court Justice Theodore Garfield of Ames, the hearing has developed into a forum for venting antiwar feelings.
Address Spectators
Several defendants, during cross-examination of witnesses called by the university officials, took the occasion to address spectators gathered in the Iowa College of Law courtroom such matters as U.S. "imperialism" the "suppression" of students and blacks by the federal government and the U of I "entanglement" in the U.S. "war machine." 
"This hearing is getting way out of bounds," Garfield interjected at one point. "This is not a hearing on the Vietnam war."
The hearing was called after U of I officials charged eight students and three non-students with disrupting the "normal operations" of the placement office for about one hour Dec. 9. 
The sit-in was staged in protest of the scheduled appearance of a recruiter for the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), who had intended to interview seven U of I students. 
The interviews were cancelled after nearly 150 persons gathered in a hall leading to the placement office. 
Other Witnesses
Other witnesses called by Howard Sokol, Assistant to U of I provost Ray Heffner, included two students who testified they were unable to see job interviewers because of the sit-in; William Binny, director of the university's security department; and two campus security officers.
Those named defendants by the university include: Norton Wheeler of Sioux City, Kirk Alexander of West Des Moines, Patric DenHartog of Sheldon, Bruce Johnson of Iowa City, Patricia Farrell of West Des Moines and Richard Phillips of Bettendorf. 
Also named are Stephen Carl of Highland Park, IL, Gary Rozmig of Cedar Rapids, Roland Schemer of Iowa City and John Tinker of Coralville.
The hearing is expected to conclude today. Garfield then will issue a report to U of I President Willard Boyd who will decide if there are grounds to take any disciplinary action.

Saving...

Des Moines Register Fri., Feb. 5, 1971 Page 6 U of I Hearing Turns Forum By Larry Eckholt (Register Staff Writer) IOWA CITY, IA- A hearing into a Dec. 9 sit-in at the University of Iowa (U of I) placement office began here Thursday, and it was difficult to determine who is on trial- 10 campus militants accused of violating U of I conduct rules, or university for allowing a military intelligence recruiter to appear on campus. Despite objections by it presiding officer, former Iowa Supreme Court Justice Theodore Garfield of Ames, the hearing has developed into a forum for venting antiwar feelings. Address Spectators Several defendants, during cross-examination of witnesses called by the university officials, took the occasion to address spectators gathered in the Iowa College of Law courtroom such matters as U.S. "imperialism" the "suppression" of students and blacks by the federal government and the U of I "entanglement" in the U.S. "war machine." "This hearing is getting way out of bounds," Garfield interjected at one point. "This is not a hearing on the Vietnam war." The hearing was called after U of I officials charged eight students and three non-students with disrupting the "normal operations" of the placement office for about one hour Dec. 9. The sit-in was staged in protest of the scheduled appearance of a recruiter for the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), who had intended to interview seven U of I students. The interviews were cancelled after nearly 150 persons gathered in a hall leading to the placement office. Other Witnesses Other witnesses called by Howard Sokol, Assistant to U of I provost Ray Heffner, included two students who testified they were unable to see job interviewers because of the sit-in; William Binny, director of the university's security department; and two campus security officers. Those named defendants by the university include: Norton Wheeler of Sioux City, Kirk Alexander of West Des Moines, Patric DenHartog of Sheldon, Bruce Johnson of Iowa City, Patricia Farrell of West Des Moines and Richard Phillips of Bettendorf. Also named are Stephen Carl of Highland Park, IL, Gary Rozmig of Cedar Rapids, Roland Schemer of Iowa City and John Tinker of Coralville. The hearing is expected to conclude today. Garfield then will issue a report to U of I President Willard Boyd who will decide if there are grounds to take any disciplinary action.