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Campus "Unrest" Demonstrations, 1970

Campus /Capitol Contact Vol. I, No. 5 Page 2

Q: With some 11,000 students leaving the campus when given the option to do so, wouldn't you agree that the "strike" was pretty successful after all?
A: If all those students had in fact been frightened away, or if they in fact went from the campus directly to Main Street of their hometowns to explain their concern for the war to their neighbors, the action would have to be regarded as successful. While some students undoubtedly left the campus for these reasons, there seems little  doubt that far greater numbers were motivated more by their lack of enthusiasm for final exams, their concern to get started on summer employment, their interest in gaining additional vacation time, etc. The Strike Steering Committee itself accused President Boyd of "strike-breaking" when he announced the options--the same options available at any time to any student, incidentally, who has to leave the campus before term's end.
Q: Why doesn't the Universithy summarily expel disrupters?
A: Alumni with long memories can recall students "kicked out" by a Dean of Men or Women for disciplinary offenses, with such action being the unarguable end to an academic career. The children, and especially the grandchildren, of such alumni are recognized by the University and courts at all levels as having all the rights of citizenship--most certainly including the right to a specification of charges against them, a full hearing on such charges, the right to confront and question witnesses etc., the "due process" and "equal protection" of law, which we as a people hold to be vital rights. The courts do not agree with those who suggest that attendance at a university is such a privilege that by enrolling there the student must forfeit his fundamental rights as a citizen. Hence the University must be prepared to make positive identificaiton and submit substantiating proof of any offenses on which it wishes to take action. When offenses are committeed in crowds or by crowds, these precedures can be incredibly difficult, costly and time-consuming.
The University can, however, temporarily suspend students whom it has reason to believe in serious violation fo rules, until such time as a hearing can be held and judgment rendered. President Boyd has indicated his intention to utilize such suspensions in situations where they are deemed necessary to the safety and good order of the University.
Q: What action has the University taken against those involved in recent disruptions?
A: As CONTACT goes to press, the University has charged 16 students with various violations as a result of the ROTC disruptions of Apr. 18 and May 1. Other charges are pending. In general, the charges involved disruption of authorized functions, unauthorized entry into buildings, and obstruction of activities. One student is also charged with assaulting a campus security officer. Two of the students, already on probation from an incident last December, have appeared before the University's hearing officer, former Iowa Chief Justice Theodore G. Garfield of Ames, and a recommendation will be made by him to President Boyd in the near future. In addition to the above, a faculty member has been charged in police court with malicious injury to a building.
Q: What is the role of the Regents in maintaining order on the campuses?
A: Regential policy prohibits disruption of orderly processes, obstruction or denial of access to services and facilities, and interference with lawful rights of other persons on the campuses. Enforcement of these policies is traditionally the responsibility of the institutions themselves.
The Regents are giving considerable thought to this whole area, and may decide to take a more active role in the enforcement and/or judicial processes. As this issue of CONTACT goes to press, the Regents are planning a public hearing at which opinions and advice will be sought from individuals and organizations--both on and off the campus--who are concerned with this aspect of contemporary university lfie.

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Q: With some 11,000 students leaving the campus when given the option to do so, wouldn't you agree that the "strike" was pretty successful after all? A: If all those students had in fact been frightened away, or if they in fact went from the campus directly to Main Street of their hometowns to explain their concern for the war to their neighbors, the action would have to be regarded as successful. While some students undoubtedly left the campus for these reasons, there seems little doubt that far greater numbers were motivated more by their lack of enthusiasm for final exams, their concern to get started on summer employment, their interest in gaining additional vacation time, etc. The Strike Steering Committee itself accused President Boyd of "strike-breaking" when he announced the options--the same options available at any time to any student, incidentally, who has to leave the campus before term's end. Q: Why doesn't the Universithy summarily expel disrupters? A: Alumni with long memories can recall students "kicked out" by a Dean of Men or Women for disciplinary offenses, with such action being the unarguable end to an academic career. The children, and especially the grandchildren, of such alumni are recognized by the University and courts at all levels as having all the rights of citizenship--most certainly including the right to a specification of charges against them, a full hearing on such charges, the right to confront and question witnesses etc., the "due process" and "equal protection" of law, which we as a people hold to be vital rights. The courts do not agree with those who suggest that attendance at a university is such a privilege that by enrolling there the student must forfeit his fundamental rights as a citizen. Hence the University must be prepared to make positive identificaiton and submit substantiating proof of any offenses on which it wishes to take action. When offenses are committeed in crowds or by crowds, these precedures can be incredibly difficult, costly and time-consuming. The University can, however, temporarily suspend students whom it has reason to believe in serious violation fo rules, until such time as a hearing can be held and judgment rendered. President Boyd has indicated his intention to utilize such suspensions in situations where they are deemed necessary to the safety and good order of the University. Q: What action has the University taken against those involved in recent disruptions? A: As CONTACT goes to press, the University has charged 16 students with various violations as a result of the ROTC disruptions of Apr. 18 and May 1. Other charges are pending. In general, the charges involved disruption of authorized functions, unauthorized entry into buildings, and obstruction of activities. One student is also charged with assaulting a campus security officer. Two of the students, already on probation from an incident last December, have appeared before the University's hearing officer, former Iowa Chief Justice Theodore G. Garfield of Ames, and a recommendation will be made by him to President Boyd in the near future. In addition to the above, a faculty member has been charged in police court with malicious injury to a building. Q: What is the role of the Regents in maintaining order on the campuses? A: Regential policy prohibits disruption of orderly processes, obstruction or denial of access to services and facilities, and interference with lawful rights of other persons on the campuses. Enforcement of these policies is traditionally the responsibility of the institutions themselves. The Regents are giving considerable thought to this whole area, and may decide to take a more active role in the enforcement and/or judicial processes. As this issue of CONTACT goes to press, the Regents are planning a public hearing at which opinions and advice will be sought from individuals and organizations--both on and off the campus--who are concerned with this aspect of contemporary university lfie.