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University of Iowa anti-war protests, 1970

1970-05-11 Daily Iowan Article: ""Option to Leave Given Students"" Page 4

[NOTE: Transcription here continues material begun on previous page.]

leaders met Friday afternoon to discuss ways of opening channels of communications between the two groups. The meetings followed a week of student demonstrations. 
The meetings ended with the release of a sttement by the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce. It reads:
"The Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors wishes to express an understanding of the basic problems behind recent student unrest.
"Whereas we do not unanimously agree with the students on all points of concern, we do support their right to dissent by demonstrations in a non-violent manner.
"We approve of the proposed student canvass to discuss the war with businessmen or townspeople. We would also urge moderation on the part of law enforcement people in the performance of

Ted Politis, A2, Ames, said that the purpose of the meeting was to get a statement from the businessmen before Friday night, but he emphasized that "no pressure" was put on the Chamber Board of Directors by the students to meet.
"The businessmen wanted to make their statement before tonight. They felt it was their obligation to let the students know where they stand" said Politis.
Ben Summerwill, president of thte Chamber Board, said, "I was encouraged by the meetings. I feel I understand the problems better, and I feel I learned a few things I did not previously know."
Another meeting is scheduled for 10 this morning, according to Roger Weingarten, G, Cleveland. Anyone interested in attending today's meeting is asked to contact Weingarten.

Board Continues DI Editor
The Board of Student Publications, Inc., voted 5-1 Sunday to "continue the present editor in charge of The Daily Iowan until further Board action."
The action was taken at a special meeting called for 1:30 p.m. to discuss the feasibility of having the newly named staff take over the paper during the present campus disruptions.
Board member George W. Forell, director of the School of Religion, introduced the motion asking the Board to act.
Said Forell, "In view of the events of the last week, and in view of my previously announced position that this is a poor time to make an editorial change, I move that we continue the present editor in charge of The Daily Iowan until further action by the Board."
Voting for the motion were: Forell; Lane Davis, chairman of the Board and professor of political science; William Zima, assistant professor of journalism; Jerry Patten, A4, Perry, and Pam Austin, A4, Ottumwa.
Carol Ehrlich, G, Iowa City, voted against the motion.
Absent from the meeting were Bob Reynoldson, A4, Osceola, and John Cain, A3, Eldora.
Lowell H. Forte, G, Iowa City, will remain editor and will be responsible for forming a new staff to operate in the itnerim.
Editor-select Leona Durham will keep that status until the Board takes further action.
Forte said Sunday that he hoped he could form a staff from his former staff and from Durham's new staff so that any transition would be "very smooth."
Durham issued the following statement Sunday night:
"The 5-1 vote by SPI Board to suspend my staff and me for an indefinite period is an open act of political censorship. Led by professors Forell and Davis, the Board declared that possible mismanagement on the part of the new staff might inflame the campus. Before the Board meeting, Davis called Lowell Forte and asked him to continue as editor of The Daily Iowan ihdicating, according to Forte, that if he did not contihnue as editor the paper might be shut down. This is an unfair indictment of the new DI staff. We are angry and disappointed."
The statement was signed by Durham and three members of her staff-designate: Albert Cloud, G, Indianola; Lowell May, A3, Mason City; and Cheryl Miller, A4, Wellman.
Contacted about the statement, Davis said, "The motion means just exactly what it said. There was no thought of closing down The Daily Iowan."
Forte said, "I am very sorry that members of the new staff are angry - I guess I can understand their anger since they are excited about taking over as I was. However, my loyalty is to The Daily Iowan, and I will cooperate with the wishes of the Board in any way I can."
Five other members of the Daily Iowan staff made this statement:
"We accept the SPI Board decision. Our loyalties rest with The Daily Iowan, not with any individual."
Mark Rohner, Managing-Editor Designate
Carol Bird, City-University Editor Designate
Linda Taylor, Assoc. University Editor Designate
Gary Britson, Fine Arts Editor Designate
Rich Greenawalt Chief Photographer Designate
Amy Chapmanm, copy editor designate, declined to sign either statement and Jay Ewoldt, sports editor designate, was unavailable for comment Sunday evening.

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 statment 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.

[Handwritten} "Option to Leave . . ."
DI (EXTRA)
May 11, 1970  4 (of 5)

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[NOTE: Transcription here continues material begun on previous page.] leaders met Friday afternoon to discuss ways of opening channels of communications between the two groups. The meetings followed a week of student demonstrations. The meetings ended with the release of a sttement by the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce. It reads: "The Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors wishes to express an understanding of the basic problems behind recent student unrest. "Whereas we do not unanimously agree with the students on all points of concern, we do support their right to dissent by demonstrations in a non-violent manner. "We approve of the proposed student canvass to discuss the war with businessmen or townspeople. We would also urge moderation on the part of law enforcement people in the performance of Ted Politis, A2, Ames, said that the purpose of the meeting was to get a statement from the businessmen before Friday night, but he emphasized that "no pressure" was put on the Chamber Board of Directors by the students to meet. "The businessmen wanted to make their statement before tonight. They felt it was their obligation to let the students know where they stand" said Politis. Ben Summerwill, president of thte Chamber Board, said, "I was encouraged by the meetings. I feel I understand the problems better, and I feel I learned a few things I did not previously know." Another meeting is scheduled for 10 this morning, according to Roger Weingarten, G, Cleveland. Anyone interested in attending today's meeting is asked to contact Weingarten. Board Continues DI Editor The Board of Student Publications, Inc., voted 5-1 Sunday to "continue the present editor in charge of The Daily Iowan until further Board action." The action was taken at a special meeting called for 1:30 p.m. to discuss the feasibility of having the newly named staff take over the paper during the present campus disruptions. Board member George W. Forell, director of the School of Religion, introduced the motion asking the Board to act. Said Forell, "In view of the events of the last week, and in view of my previously announced position that this is a poor time to make an editorial change, I move that we continue the present editor in charge of The Daily Iowan until further action by the Board." Voting for the motion were: Forell; Lane Davis, chairman of the Board and professor of political science; William Zima, assistant professor of journalism; Jerry Patten, A4, Perry, and Pam Austin, A4, Ottumwa. Carol Ehrlich, G, Iowa City, voted against the motion. Absent from the meeting were Bob Reynoldson, A4, Osceola, and John Cain, A3, Eldora. Lowell H. Forte, G, Iowa City, will remain editor and will be responsible for forming a new staff to operate in the itnerim. Editor-select Leona Durham will keep that status until the Board takes further action. Forte said Sunday that he hoped he could form a staff from his former staff and from Durham's new staff so that any transition would be "very smooth." Durham issued the following statement Sunday night: "The 5-1 vote by SPI Board to suspend my staff and me for an indefinite period is an open act of political censorship. Led by professors Forell and Davis, the Board declared that possible mismanagement on the part of the new staff might inflame the campus. Before the Board meeting, Davis called Lowell Forte and asked him to continue as editor of The Daily Iowan ihdicating, according to Forte, that if he did not contihnue as editor the paper might be shut down. This is an unfair indictment of the new DI staff. We are angry and disappointed." The statement was signed by Durham and three members of her staff-designate: Albert Cloud, G, Indianola; Lowell May, A3, Mason City; and Cheryl Miller, A4, Wellman. Contacted about the statement, Davis said, "The motion means just exactly what it said. There was no thought of closing down The Daily Iowan." Forte said, "I am very sorry that members of the new staff are angry - I guess I can understand their anger since they are excited about taking over as I was. However, my loyalty is to The Daily Iowan, and I will cooperate with the wishes of the Board in any way I can." Five other members of the Daily Iowan staff made this statement: "We accept the SPI Board decision. Our loyalties rest with The Daily Iowan, not with any individual." Mark Rohner, Managing-Editor Designate Carol Bird, City-University Editor Designate Linda Taylor, Assoc. University Editor Designate Gary Britson, Fine Arts Editor Designate Rich Greenawalt Chief Photographer Designate Amy Chapmanm, copy editor designate, declined to sign either statement and Jay Ewoldt, sports editor designate, was unavailable for comment Sunday evening. 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 statment 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. [Handwritten} "Option to Leave . . ." DI (EXTRA) May 11, 1970 4 (of 5)