DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | University of Iowa anti-war protests, 1970 | 1970-05-11 Des Moines Register Article: ""U of I To Stay Open, 'Choice' For Students"" Page 2

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University of Iowa anti-war protests, 1970

1970-05-11 Des Moines Register Article: ""U of I To Stay Open, 'Choice' For Students"" Page 2

[Handwritten] DMR May 11, 1970
"U. of I. to Stay Open, 'Choice' for Students."
2 (of 2)

Feared Bloodshed
There have been rock-throwing and window-smashing incidents; traffic on major streets and highways has been blocked; hundreds of arrests have been made, and one wood-framed building has been burned.
"Governor's Day" ROTC ceremonies, scheduled for last Saturday, were canceled because, Boyd said, there was a "probability of bloodshed."
The Iowa Student Senate, in a special meeting Saturday morning, urged that the university be closed for the remainder of the semester to prevent further violence and to insure safety.
The tension and uncertainty on the campus were symbolized by the National Guard helicopters that have been flying overhead all weekend.
Guard spokesmen said two helicopters were sent to Iowa City to help the Highway Patrolmen stationed there.
There were signs all over the campus urging students to strike, and any student who wants it may get the word "Strike" stenciled onto a T-shirt in the Union.
Headquarters have been established in the Union for students to designate which classrooms they want to picket and a list of apartments has been posted to tell students leaving the dormitories where they may "crash" for the rest of the semester.
After hours of meetings Saturday with students, faculty, administrators and Board of Regents President Stanley Redeker of Boone, Boyd reached his decision on the issue.
In his statement, Boyd said that a number of students, living in the "tense, emotional situation on campus," had expressed a wish to go home.
Rumor Cited
He said their concern has been "heightened by the circulation of an incredible number of rumors throughout the university community, and it does not seem likely that their fears will diminish quickly."
Boyd said that while he "sympathized greatly with those who condemn the war," he could not "make the university the political agent of any group."
"For those who would say that the military intervention in Cambodia is an important symbol at this time, I must respond that learning in a free society is an equally important symbol," declared the university president.
"If the university were to give in to force at this time, a great principle would be lost.
"This principle embodies the notion that . . . no one group within the community has the right to impose its will upon the rest of the community and thus preclude others from obtaining the university's services to which they are entitled.
"The university must represent the interests of all, no matter what their stand on the war. We cannot compromise on that issue. The university will, therefore remain open . . ."
Many Alternatives
Regents President Redeker, who said he was invited by Boyd to attend the decision-making meeting, said a "great number of alternatives" were discussed, ranging from closing the school Completely to trying to keep it open as normal.
"The decision," said Redeker, "seemed to satisfy those who wish to remain in school and protect those who felt their safety was endangered."
Redeker said he was "exceedingly impressed" by the concern for the students and the unviersity which was shown by those who took part in the deliberations.
Redeker said he and five other Regents held a "very satisfactory" 30-to-40-minute conference call Sunday night with Boyd, who filled them in on details about the campus unrest.
Regent William Quarton of Cedar Rapids said he supported Boyd's decision, adding that he believed all of the other Regents held the same view.
At Iowa State Unviersity at Ames, classes were scheduled to proceed as normal today.
However, the ISU Student Senate Sunday afternoon called for making classes optional from next Wednesday to the endoof the quarter.
In a specially-called session, the senate urged University President W. Robert Parks to permit students either to receive grades on the basis of work done so far or to take "incompletes" in their courses.
The Student Senate resolution said, 'The grave political crisis facing the nation has compelled a great number of students to desire time to participate in non-violent and informational activities regarding the crisis."
Meeting Today
Prof. Roger Lawrence, chairman of the ISU Faculty Council, the faculty legislative body, said after a meeting Sunday night of 150 students and 50 faculty members that he would call an emergency session of the council to discuss the Student Senate demands. The meeting will probably be held today, he said.
Classes are scheduled to be held as usual today at the University of Northern Iowa at Cedar Falls.
All classes have been canceled for the rest of the year at Grinnell College. Students at Simpson College at Indianola have been given the option of attending classes or withdrawing now and making up the work next fall. Classes are scheduled as usual at Drake University today.

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[Handwritten] DMR May 11, 1970 "U. of I. to Stay Open, 'Choice' for Students." 2 (of 2) Feared Bloodshed There have been rock-throwing and window-smashing incidents; traffic on major streets and highways has been blocked; hundreds of arrests have been made, and one wood-framed building has been burned. "Governor's Day" ROTC ceremonies, scheduled for last Saturday, were canceled because, Boyd said, there was a "probability of bloodshed." The Iowa Student Senate, in a special meeting Saturday morning, urged that the university be closed for the remainder of the semester to prevent further violence and to insure safety. The tension and uncertainty on the campus were symbolized by the National Guard helicopters that have been flying overhead all weekend. Guard spokesmen said two helicopters were sent to Iowa City to help the Highway Patrolmen stationed there. There were signs all over the campus urging students to strike, and any student who wants it may get the word "Strike" stenciled onto a T-shirt in the Union. Headquarters have been established in the Union for students to designate which classrooms they want to picket and a list of apartments has been posted to tell students leaving the dormitories where they may "crash" for the rest of the semester. After hours of meetings Saturday with students, faculty, administrators and Board of Regents President Stanley Redeker of Boone, Boyd reached his decision on the issue. In his statement, Boyd said that a number of students, living in the "tense, emotional situation on campus," had expressed a wish to go home. Rumor Cited He said their concern has been "heightened by the circulation of an incredible number of rumors throughout the university community, and it does not seem likely that their fears will diminish quickly." Boyd said that while he "sympathized greatly with those who condemn the war," he could not "make the university the political agent of any group." "For those who would say that the military intervention in Cambodia is an important symbol at this time, I must respond that learning in a free society is an equally important symbol," declared the university president. "If the university were to give in to force at this time, a great principle would be lost. "This principle embodies the notion that . . . no one group within the community has the right to impose its will upon the rest of the community and thus preclude others from obtaining the university's services to which they are entitled. "The university must represent the interests of all, no matter what their stand on the war. We cannot compromise on that issue. The university will, therefore remain open . . ." Many Alternatives Regents President Redeker, who said he was invited by Boyd to attend the decision-making meeting, said a "great number of alternatives" were discussed, ranging from closing the school Completely to trying to keep it open as normal. "The decision," said Redeker, "seemed to satisfy those who wish to remain in school and protect those who felt their safety was endangered." Redeker said he was "exceedingly impressed" by the concern for the students and the unviersity which was shown by those who took part in the deliberations. Redeker said he and five other Regents held a "very satisfactory" 30-to-40-minute conference call Sunday night with Boyd, who filled them in on details about the campus unrest. Regent William Quarton of Cedar Rapids said he supported Boyd's decision, adding that he believed all of the other Regents held the same view. At Iowa State Unviersity at Ames, classes were scheduled to proceed as normal today. However, the ISU Student Senate Sunday afternoon called for making classes optional from next Wednesday to the endoof the quarter. In a specially-called session, the senate urged University President W. Robert Parks to permit students either to receive grades on the basis of work done so far or to take "incompletes" in their courses. The Student Senate resolution said, 'The grave political crisis facing the nation has compelled a great number of students to desire time to participate in non-violent and informational activities regarding the crisis." Meeting Today Prof. Roger Lawrence, chairman of the ISU Faculty Council, the faculty legislative body, said after a meeting Sunday night of 150 students and 50 faculty members that he would call an emergency session of the council to discuss the Student Senate demands. The meeting will probably be held today, he said. Classes are scheduled to be held as usual today at the University of Northern Iowa at Cedar Falls. All classes have been canceled for the rest of the year at Grinnell College. Students at Simpson College at Indianola have been given the option of attending classes or withdrawing now and making up the work next fall. Classes are scheduled as usual at Drake University today.