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University of Iowa anti-war protests, 1968

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Daily Iowan
ing the University of Iowa and the People of Iowa City

nts a copy   Associated Press Leased Wire and Wirephoto
Iowa City, Iowa 52240- Thursday, February 8, 1968

Kleinberger Reinstated As Rhetoric Instructor
By Roy Petty

Paul Kleinberger, G, Silver Spring, Md., the Rhetoric instructor who was suspended from his job following his alleged participation in the Dec. 5 antiwar demonstration, was reinstated Tuesday, The Daily Iowa learned Wednesday night. 

A letter announcing the return of Kleinberger to his teaching position, effective immediately and with full pay, was distributed to rhetoric staff members Tuesday by Richard Braddock, professor and head of the Rhetoric Program.

Kleinberger submitted a statement explaining his involvement in the demonstration, the letter said, in which he said he had never intended to "endanger the existence or independence of the University."

On that basis, the letter continued , Braddock and Dewey B. Stuit, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, officially continued Kleinberger's part-time appointment. The decision was not made public until Wednesday. 

Deal Offered

Kleinberger told the DI Wednesday night that nearly two weeks ago the Executive Committee of the College of Liberal Arts informed him that he would be reinstated if he publicly stated his regret for his part in the demonstration, and promised not to join in similar protests in the future.

Kleinberger said he refused to consent to the committee's stipulations, since he said he was "not really guilty" of the original charges- that he had been part of a "conspiracy" in planning the demonstration, and had rescheduled his rhetoric class on Dec. 5- but he did meet with the committee, along with Braddock on Jan. 22.

No decision was reached at that meeting, nor at two meetings on Jan. 25 and 31 between Kleinberger, Stuit, Braddock, and Orville Hitchcock, professor of speech and a member of the committee.

Braddock told the DI Wednesday night that by Tuesday he, Stuit, and Kleinberger had "reached an accommodation" which resulted in Kleinberger's statement.

Statement Discussed

Kleinberger said that for the past week he and Braddock had been discussing the form of the statement, but that he had left Iowa City Tuesday, after giving his final statement to Braddock and Suit, before the decision to reinstate him was reached. 

"I'm happy that it all worked out," Kleinberger said, "but I'm also disappointed I didn't have a chance for a public hearing to demonstrate to anyone who may still have any doubts that I'm not guilty of anything inappropriate."

Kleinberger's full statement, as presented to and finally accepted by Braddock and Stuit, read as follows:

"As I have explained during our several conversations, I would join you in considering any aspect of the Dec. 5 demonstration which tended to endanger the existence or independence of the University, or to create obstacles to the fulfillment of its educational objectives, to be indeed regrettable. It has always been my intention to further those objectives, and I expect to continue to work constructively, responsibly, and in a manner appropriate for a university teacher and a citizen of a democratic society."

Dismissal Followed Arrest

Kleinberger's suspension and dismissal resulted directly from his antiwar activities on campus.

He was convicted of disturbing the peace during the Nov. 1 anti-Marine demonstration and was charged with the conspiracy in connection with the Dec. 5 anti-Dow demonstration. That case has yet to reach the trial stage.

Braddock announced Kleinberger's suspension on Dec. 7. Some of Kleinberger's students maintained that his teaching was competent and asked for his reinstatement.

Stuit said on Dec. 15 that the Univeristy would come to a decision about Kleinberger independent of the outcome of the state's case against him.

Stuit informed Kleinberger on Jan. 3 that he was dismissed and could appeal to the executive committee of the College of Liberal Arts.

Conclusions Drawn From "Facts"

In a letter to Kleinberger, Stuit said that the dismissal was the result of "four conclusions drawn from three facts." The three "facts" were that Kleinberger had carried a two-way radio on Dec. 5, had been a leader of the demonstration, and had failed to meet with his class on Dec. 5.

Kleinberger denied that he had used his two-way radio to direct any disturbances and that he had been a leader of the demonstration.

Kleinberger was among seven persons indicted for conspiracy by the Grand Jury on Jan. 11.

Many rhetoric and core literature graduate teaching assistants expressed concern about  Kleinberger's dismissal and drew up steps that the thought should be followed in the event of the dismissal of a graduate assistant for reasons other than teaching incompetency. Eighty-five of the assistants approved the plans which included the establishment of a board of inquiry composed of faculty members and peers.

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Daily Iowan ing the University of Iowa and the People of Iowa City nts a copy Associated Press Leased Wire and Wirephoto Iowa City, Iowa 52240- Thursday, February 8, 1968 Kleinberger Reinstated As Rhetoric Instructor By Roy Petty Paul Kleinberger, G, Silver Spring, Md., the Rhetoric instructor who was suspended from his job following his alleged participation in the Dec. 5 antiwar demonstration, was reinstated Tuesday, The Daily Iowa learned Wednesday night. A letter announcing the return of Kleinberger to his teaching position, effective immediately and with full pay, was distributed to rhetoric staff members Tuesday by Richard Braddock, professor and head of the Rhetoric Program. Kleinberger submitted a statement explaining his involvement in the demonstration, the letter said, in which he said he had never intended to "endanger the existence or independence of the University." On that basis, the letter continued , Braddock and Dewey B. Stuit, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, officially continued Kleinberger's part-time appointment. The decision was not made public until Wednesday. Deal Offered Kleinberger told the DI Wednesday night that nearly two weeks ago the Executive Committee of the College of Liberal Arts informed him that he would be reinstated if he publicly stated his regret for his part in the demonstration, and promised not to join in similar protests in the future. Kleinberger said he refused to consent to the committee's stipulations, since he said he was "not really guilty" of the original charges- that he had been part of a "conspiracy" in planning the demonstration, and had rescheduled his rhetoric class on Dec. 5- but he did meet with the committee, along with Braddock on Jan. 22. No decision was reached at that meeting, nor at two meetings on Jan. 25 and 31 between Kleinberger, Stuit, Braddock, and Orville Hitchcock, professor of speech and a member of the committee. Braddock told the DI Wednesday night that by Tuesday he, Stuit, and Kleinberger had "reached an accommodation" which resulted in Kleinberger's statement. Statement Discussed Kleinberger said that for the past week he and Braddock had been discussing the form of the statement, but that he had left Iowa City Tuesday, after giving his final statement to Braddock and Suit, before the decision to reinstate him was reached. "I'm happy that it all worked out," Kleinberger said, "but I'm also disappointed I didn't have a chance for a public hearing to demonstrate to anyone who may still have any doubts that I'm not guilty of anything inappropriate." Kleinberger's full statement, as presented to and finally accepted by Braddock and Stuit, read as follows: "As I have explained during our several conversations, I would join you in considering any aspect of the Dec. 5 demonstration which tended to endanger the existence or independence of the University, or to create obstacles to the fulfillment of its educational objectives, to be indeed regrettable. It has always been my intention to further those objectives, and I expect to continue to work constructively, responsibly, and in a manner appropriate for a university teacher and a citizen of a democratic society." Dismissal Followed Arrest Kleinberger's suspension and dismissal resulted directly from his antiwar activities on campus. He was convicted of disturbing the peace during the Nov. 1 anti-Marine demonstration and was charged with the conspiracy in connection with the Dec. 5 anti-Dow demonstration. That case has yet to reach the trial stage. Braddock announced Kleinberger's suspension on Dec. 7. Some of Kleinberger's students maintained that his teaching was competent and asked for his reinstatement. Stuit said on Dec. 15 that the Univeristy would come to a decision about Kleinberger independent of the outcome of the state's case against him. Stuit informed Kleinberger on Jan. 3 that he was dismissed and could appeal to the executive committee of the College of Liberal Arts. Conclusions Drawn From "Facts" In a letter to Kleinberger, Stuit said that the dismissal was the result of "four conclusions drawn from three facts." The three "facts" were that Kleinberger had carried a two-way radio on Dec. 5, had been a leader of the demonstration, and had failed to meet with his class on Dec. 5. Kleinberger denied that he had used his two-way radio to direct any disturbances and that he had been a leader of the demonstration. Kleinberger was among seven persons indicted for conspiracy by the Grand Jury on Jan. 11. Many rhetoric and core literature graduate teaching assistants expressed concern about Kleinberger's dismissal and drew up steps that the thought should be followed in the event of the dismissal of a graduate assistant for reasons other than teaching incompetency. Eighty-five of the assistants approved the plans which included the establishment of a board of inquiry composed of faculty members and peers.