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University of Iowa anti-war protests, 1965-1967
31858064848116_055
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[handwritten] DI 12/9/67 -Suspension of Instructor Questioned- [handwritten] 12/9/67 Students Rally Around Kleinberger Several of the students in the rhetoric class of an instructor relieved of his teaching duties as a result of his arrest, have approached a high University administration official to find out the reasons for the suspension. Some of them have indicated that they oppose the University's suspension of their instructor. Meanwhile, the suspended instructor, Paul J. Kleinberger, G , Silver Springs, Md., said Friday night that he was uncertain of why he had been suspended Kleinberger is free on $500 bond on a charge of conspiracy in connection with the antiwar demonstration Tuesday. Conspiracy is a felony. Three of the students in the class, Dennis R. Obukowicz, A2 Davenport: Nancy E. Block, A2, Davenport; and Gordon W. Limevoid, A3, Decorah, talked with Dewey B. Stuit, dean of the College of Liberal Arts Friday about Kleinberger's suspension . Another of Kleinberger's students Keith R. Evans, A1, Chicago met with Stuit Wednesday. At Friday's meeting, Miss Block did most of the talking. She suggested to Stuit that if the University administration cared anything about students, Kleinberger would be allowed to at least finish the semester as instructor of the class. The Daily Iowan has learned. Methods Defended Miss Block reportedly told Stuit that Kleinberger used controversial subjects to promote arguments in the class in order to teach the students methods of argument and communications. She said the method typically was to have Kleinberger or a guest speaker express an unpopular viewpoint and then have the class argue against that viewpoint. According to Miss Block, Stuit was concerned that Kleinberger was presenting only one side of important issues to the class. Miss Block said that this was part of Kleinberger's method, because it forced the students to prepare themselves to argue the other viewpoints. Changing instructors at this point in the semester would disrupt the class and the learning methods Kleinberger had started the class on, Miss Block said she told Stuit. Stuit reportedly expressed concern to the students that Kleinberger had called off the class Tuesday afternoon so that he could attend the antiwar demonstration. Kleinberger told The Daily Iowan Friday night that he has merely postponed the class until Thursday, the day the class normally does not meet. Miss Block said that Kleinberger told the class that it was to continue researching a topic despite the cancellation of Tuesday's class. Directive Issued Stuit issued a directive after the November antiwar demonstrations cautioning instructors not to call off classes for such reasons. Stuit told the students he thought Kleinberger had violated this directive. Linnevold said that the three students had a difficult time convincing Stuit that Kleinberger had not pressured them into asking about the suspension. Linnevold said that by the end of the hour conversation, Stuit seemed convinced that the students had come on their own. But Linnevold said he was not fully satisfied with the talk with Stuit, He described Stuit as being " very good with words." Obukowicz said he was reasonably satisfied with Stuit's explanations. Linnevold said he thought the class as a whole would like to see Kleinberrger reinstated. He said most of the 20 students in it liked Kleinberger and thought that he was a good instructor. Linnevold said there might be two students in the class who would not want to see Kleinberger return. Reasons Explained. Kleinberger said Friday night that a letter from Stuit explained the reasons for his suspension. The letter says in part: " . . . on the basis of your own report, it is clear that you not only participated in these events (Tuesday's) but that you provided leadership which led to further or continued disturbances by students. Furthermore this is the second such affair in which you have been involved." Kleinberger, who is a columnist for The Daily Iowan, said he had talked with Stuit about his participation in Tuesday's demonstration. He denied having admitted any participation in any leadership activities. Kleinberger said: " It is not yet clear to me whether my suspension from teaching could be considered normal University procedure for a felony charge or if it reflects Stuit's distaste for my political activities. It also is not clear whether my reinstatement depends on my being cleared of the legal charges against me or on Stuit's decision that the ideas discussed in my class are acceptable to him. When it does become clear I will consider looking for appropriate channels through which to appeal the decision. Richard Braddock, professor of rhetoric told Kleinberger's class Wednesday of Kleinberger's suspension. When asked by the students what could be done about th suspension. Braddock reportedly told the students they could talk with Stuit. The new instructor of the class is James R. Rockey, G, Iowa City. Rockey met with the class for the first time Friday Instructor Cleared Albert G. Marian, G, North Liberty, another rhetoric instructor, will continue to teach in spite of being charged with inciting a disturbance a misdemeanor in Tuesday's demonstration. Braddock said Thursday that he thought Marian could continue as an effective, unbiased instructor. Braddock said that Marian met with Stuit, Donovan J. Ochs assistant professor of rhetoric and himself before the decision was made.
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[handwritten] DI 12/9/67 -Suspension of Instructor Questioned- [handwritten] 12/9/67 Students Rally Around Kleinberger Several of the students in the rhetoric class of an instructor relieved of his teaching duties as a result of his arrest, have approached a high University administration official to find out the reasons for the suspension. Some of them have indicated that they oppose the University's suspension of their instructor. Meanwhile, the suspended instructor, Paul J. Kleinberger, G , Silver Springs, Md., said Friday night that he was uncertain of why he had been suspended Kleinberger is free on $500 bond on a charge of conspiracy in connection with the antiwar demonstration Tuesday. Conspiracy is a felony. Three of the students in the class, Dennis R. Obukowicz, A2 Davenport: Nancy E. Block, A2, Davenport; and Gordon W. Limevoid, A3, Decorah, talked with Dewey B. Stuit, dean of the College of Liberal Arts Friday about Kleinberger's suspension . Another of Kleinberger's students Keith R. Evans, A1, Chicago met with Stuit Wednesday. At Friday's meeting, Miss Block did most of the talking. She suggested to Stuit that if the University administration cared anything about students, Kleinberger would be allowed to at least finish the semester as instructor of the class. The Daily Iowan has learned. Methods Defended Miss Block reportedly told Stuit that Kleinberger used controversial subjects to promote arguments in the class in order to teach the students methods of argument and communications. She said the method typically was to have Kleinberger or a guest speaker express an unpopular viewpoint and then have the class argue against that viewpoint. According to Miss Block, Stuit was concerned that Kleinberger was presenting only one side of important issues to the class. Miss Block said that this was part of Kleinberger's method, because it forced the students to prepare themselves to argue the other viewpoints. Changing instructors at this point in the semester would disrupt the class and the learning methods Kleinberger had started the class on, Miss Block said she told Stuit. Stuit reportedly expressed concern to the students that Kleinberger had called off the class Tuesday afternoon so that he could attend the antiwar demonstration. Kleinberger told The Daily Iowan Friday night that he has merely postponed the class until Thursday, the day the class normally does not meet. Miss Block said that Kleinberger told the class that it was to continue researching a topic despite the cancellation of Tuesday's class. Directive Issued Stuit issued a directive after the November antiwar demonstrations cautioning instructors not to call off classes for such reasons. Stuit told the students he thought Kleinberger had violated this directive. Linnevold said that the three students had a difficult time convincing Stuit that Kleinberger had not pressured them into asking about the suspension. Linnevold said that by the end of the hour conversation, Stuit seemed convinced that the students had come on their own. But Linnevold said he was not fully satisfied with the talk with Stuit, He described Stuit as being " very good with words." Obukowicz said he was reasonably satisfied with Stuit's explanations. Linnevold said he thought the class as a whole would like to see Kleinberrger reinstated. He said most of the 20 students in it liked Kleinberger and thought that he was a good instructor. Linnevold said there might be two students in the class who would not want to see Kleinberger return. Reasons Explained. Kleinberger said Friday night that a letter from Stuit explained the reasons for his suspension. The letter says in part: " . . . on the basis of your own report, it is clear that you not only participated in these events (Tuesday's) but that you provided leadership which led to further or continued disturbances by students. Furthermore this is the second such affair in which you have been involved." Kleinberger, who is a columnist for The Daily Iowan, said he had talked with Stuit about his participation in Tuesday's demonstration. He denied having admitted any participation in any leadership activities. Kleinberger said: " It is not yet clear to me whether my suspension from teaching could be considered normal University procedure for a felony charge or if it reflects Stuit's distaste for my political activities. It also is not clear whether my reinstatement depends on my being cleared of the legal charges against me or on Stuit's decision that the ideas discussed in my class are acceptable to him. When it does become clear I will consider looking for appropriate channels through which to appeal the decision. Richard Braddock, professor of rhetoric told Kleinberger's class Wednesday of Kleinberger's suspension. When asked by the students what could be done about th suspension. Braddock reportedly told the students they could talk with Stuit. The new instructor of the class is James R. Rockey, G, Iowa City. Rockey met with the class for the first time Friday Instructor Cleared Albert G. Marian, G, North Liberty, another rhetoric instructor, will continue to teach in spite of being charged with inciting a disturbance a misdemeanor in Tuesday's demonstration. Braddock said Thursday that he thought Marian could continue as an effective, unbiased instructor. Braddock said that Marian met with Stuit, Donovan J. Ochs assistant professor of rhetoric and himself before the decision was made.
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