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University of Iowa anti-war protests, 1968
31858064848124_014
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September 15, 1968 COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS Office of the Dean To: Members of the Faculty of the College of Liberal Arts In recent weeks mention has been made in the press of likely disturbances on college campuses during this coming year. I should like to take this opportunity to express my views on that subject and particularly to comment on the role of the faculty in helping prevent such disturbances. All of us recognize that we live in a period of tension and turmoil. One can readily understand that members of our student body should be deeply concerned about social, economic and political problems, many of which are national or even international in scope. We as members of the University faculty should be willing to take the time to help students think through some of these problems and to provide the kind of advise and counsel which is in keeping with the role and responsibilities of a University faculty. The new factor which has been injected in the campus scene in the recent past is the willingness or determination of a limited number to resort to illegal and disruptive means in order (they think) to achieve their purposes. We, at Iowa, have been relatively fortunate in escaping this kind of incident on our campus except for the disturbances of November 1 and December 5, 1967. I realize that some may feel that these disturbances were not seriously disruptive of University activities. In my judgement, however, these events did harm the image of the University without accomplishing anything which could be called educationally useful. The events of last year are history. The important point is that all members of the University family should work together cooperatively in seeking to achieve the great goals for which the University was established. Resorting to disruptive activities (which is really the employment of force) in order to achieve one's goals has no legitimate place on a University campus. The university, perhaps more than any other of society's institutions, is devoted to the life of reason. If we in our college and university campuses cannot settle differences by discussion and debate, how can we reasonably expect other segments of society to do so? I believe that one fruitful approach to the problems facing us is that of emphasizing the importance of effective communication. If we have grievances, we should sit down together and discuss them and seek to arrive at a solution according to accepted democratic processes. In Liberal Arts we have faculty meetings, standing committees and administrative offices which are open to hear any grievances or to receive constructive suggestions regarding ways and means of improving the quality of the College and the University. In brief, we have forums which can and should be used to air differences and to resolve problems. At the opening of this new academic year I would urge one and all - students, faculty and administration - that we use our established channels of communication to the maximum. May all of us resolve to settle any differences which may arise by accepted democratic processes, and in our contacts with students, discourage any temptation to resort to force in achieving objectives. If we do this, I believe that our student-faculty-administrative relationships will be enhanced, thus assuring us of another fruitful year and resulting in achievements in which all of us take pride. With best wishes to all, Sincerely yours, [actual signature] Dewey B. Stuit Dean
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September 15, 1968 COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS Office of the Dean To: Members of the Faculty of the College of Liberal Arts In recent weeks mention has been made in the press of likely disturbances on college campuses during this coming year. I should like to take this opportunity to express my views on that subject and particularly to comment on the role of the faculty in helping prevent such disturbances. All of us recognize that we live in a period of tension and turmoil. One can readily understand that members of our student body should be deeply concerned about social, economic and political problems, many of which are national or even international in scope. We as members of the University faculty should be willing to take the time to help students think through some of these problems and to provide the kind of advise and counsel which is in keeping with the role and responsibilities of a University faculty. The new factor which has been injected in the campus scene in the recent past is the willingness or determination of a limited number to resort to illegal and disruptive means in order (they think) to achieve their purposes. We, at Iowa, have been relatively fortunate in escaping this kind of incident on our campus except for the disturbances of November 1 and December 5, 1967. I realize that some may feel that these disturbances were not seriously disruptive of University activities. In my judgement, however, these events did harm the image of the University without accomplishing anything which could be called educationally useful. The events of last year are history. The important point is that all members of the University family should work together cooperatively in seeking to achieve the great goals for which the University was established. Resorting to disruptive activities (which is really the employment of force) in order to achieve one's goals has no legitimate place on a University campus. The university, perhaps more than any other of society's institutions, is devoted to the life of reason. If we in our college and university campuses cannot settle differences by discussion and debate, how can we reasonably expect other segments of society to do so? I believe that one fruitful approach to the problems facing us is that of emphasizing the importance of effective communication. If we have grievances, we should sit down together and discuss them and seek to arrive at a solution according to accepted democratic processes. In Liberal Arts we have faculty meetings, standing committees and administrative offices which are open to hear any grievances or to receive constructive suggestions regarding ways and means of improving the quality of the College and the University. In brief, we have forums which can and should be used to air differences and to resolve problems. At the opening of this new academic year I would urge one and all - students, faculty and administration - that we use our established channels of communication to the maximum. May all of us resolve to settle any differences which may arise by accepted democratic processes, and in our contacts with students, discourage any temptation to resort to force in achieving objectives. If we do this, I believe that our student-faculty-administrative relationships will be enhanced, thus assuring us of another fruitful year and resulting in achievements in which all of us take pride. With best wishes to all, Sincerely yours, [actual signature] Dewey B. Stuit Dean
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