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University of Iowa anti-war protests, 1970

1970-05-11 Daily Iowan Article: ""UI Remains In Session, Boyd Says""

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DI May 11, 1970 UI Remains In Session, Boyd Says Confusion was the most prevalent reaction Sunday to Pres. Willard Boyd's decision to keep the University open but to offer students the option of leaving early without losing credit for their semester's work. In a statement released Sunday morning, Boyd said students who felt "compelled to leave the campus early" could choose one of the following three options: Take grades as earned on all work completed through May 3. A major assignment due by May 3 but not completed could result in an incomplete for a course. Incompletes would be made up in the usual manner and time period. Take a P (pass) or a W (withdrawal) for all courses, based on work completed through May 3. This would mean a P for courses in which the work is A, B, C, or D quality and a W for courses in which the work is not passing quality. As in the first option, an incomplete may be assigned by the instructor if a major assignment due by May 3 has not been submitted. The I wold be removed in the normal manner but may become only a P or a W. Take incompletes in all courses. Students electing this option would need to make up all work and examinations normally required through the end of the semester (not through May only). The usual method and time limits for removing the incompletes would apply, except that prior permission of the instructor is not needed. The Strike Steering Committee issued a statement after the options were made public in which it called Boyd's statment "a clear attempt to confuse students and break the strike." The committee's statement urged students not to sign up for any of the options until "all the facts are in." Students have until 5 p.m. Tuesday to decide whether to finish the semester or to choose one of the three options. After his statement was released Sunday, Boyd explained that the options applied in all University colleges and that a student may not combine options, for example, he may not take P grades in some courses and grades as earned in others. Other aspects of Boyd's statement remained unclear late Sunday, but Boyd said he would make further explanations today, after conferring with University administrators and deans of the colleges. Among questions expected to be cleared up today are: Whether students who choose not to finish the semester will be permitted to remain on campus or to stay in University dormitories. What assurance will be given that an instructor will not assign grades on the basis of whether or not a student decides to complete the semester instead of on the basis of his work. Whether a student may make arrangements with his instructors instead of niotifying the University of his choice of one of the options. Whether a student may take P grades in his major field. Under normal circumstances this is not permitted. What effect not finishing the semester would have on a student's University billing, his ID card privileges or student health service. Whether persons who choose to leave will lose teaching assistantship or work study pay. Whether assistantships will end if an assistant chooses to leave. Whether a senior may graduate if he has a grade point average below that needed to graduate and chooses to take P grades in all his courses. What would be done about courses where the grade rests entirely on a final paper or final examination. The decision to offer the three options was reached after Boyd and other key administrators met with the deans of the colleges, most members of the Faculty Council and representatives of Associated Residence Halls, Interfraternity Council, Afro-American Student Association and Student Senate, according to University Vice Provost Philip G. Hubbard. A resolution passed unanimously by Student Senate early Saturday morning provided the essential information related to the options, Hubbard said.
 
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