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University of Iowa anti-war protests, 1970

1970-05-12 Daily Iowan Editorials: ""Pleas for legitimate protests"" Page 1

The Daily Iowan
OPINIONS
PAGE 2   TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1970    IOWA CITY, IOWA
Publisher ...John Zug
Editorial Adviser...Lee Brown
Editor...Lowell Forte
Advertising Director...Roy Dunsmore

Boyd: UI must represent all
Classes at The University of Iowa will be held as usual on Monday and through the close of the final examination period Tuesday, May 26.
In light of recent events and the tense emotional situation on campus, however, a number of students, fearing for their safety, have expressed the wish to return home. Their concern on this score 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.
Those who wish to return home may do so without penalty.
But before they leave, the university will need a clear indication of their choice of (1) completing their work at a later date; (2) accepting a "pass" or "withdraw" grade; or (3) accepting a grade based on the work completed through May 3.
Further information on how to exercise this choice, and a simple form for doing so, will be available  to University of Iowa students by 10 a.m. Sunday (May 10) in all university residence halls, the Mayflower Hall, and Iowa Memorial Union.
I have been urged by a number of concerned students to close the University at once as a means of expressing the opposition of the University community to the war in Vietnam. I sympathize greatly with those who condemn the war, but I can not make the University the political agent of any group, no matter how much I might personally condemn recent actions in Southeast Asia.
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. If the University were to give in to force at this time, a great principle would be lost. This principle embodies the notion that the continued access to learning and the services of the University for all who want them should be maintained.
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 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 and its usual academic functions will be maintained. Everything possible will be done to secure the safety of all members of the university community and university facilities.
—Willard L. Boyd
—Reprinted from Monday's Extra Edition of The Daily Iowan

Senators reply
On Sunday, May 10, Student Senate was called in special session to consider President Boyd's statement concerning class attendance and the upcoming strike. By a vote of 20 to 12, the Senate passed Senator Bloomquist's resolution which expressed support for president Boyd's position as the best one he could have taken under the 
[remainder of article missing]

To the Editor
Pleas for legitimate protests
To the Editor:
I am writing this letter because I simply can't contain the sadness that I have felt over the past week's events. I looked proudly on as some 6,000 students took part in a "peaceful Moratorium" march and rally last October. At that time I was firmly convinced that there was some hope for this crazy, bloodthirsty world of ours, because a group of my fellow students seemed so dedicated to the principles of peace.
However, the events of the past week seem to negate all this. This last week has witnessed attempts by a minority of this campus's students to identify themselves with the peace movement through the thoughtless destruction of university and public property. They do this supposedly in protest against the U.S. involvement in Vietnam and the subsequent killing of the four students at Kent State.
Whatever their reasons may have been, I deplore this senseless destruction. Burning buildings will never result in peace or mutual understanding betweena government adn students. Beaking windows will not end this senseless war in Vietnam. Shouting profanities will not find the true causes for those sad deaths at Kent State. It takes real work to make as large a government as ours listen to the individual citizen. This is true. I'd be the first to admit this. However such violent actions will only produce a leftist example of the Nixon-Agnew syndrome: totally unresponsive to the needs of this country.
So don't sing the praises of Bruce Clark and his rock throwing crowd to me. I've seen and listened to too many of his type of perennial cause grabbers to believe that the rock throwers really care to make this country more responsive to its peoples' needs. It's so much easier to complain and burn buildings than to get off your rear and learn how to work through effective governmental
[missing right hand side of article]

Arrested, they praise
To the Editor:
As one of the many who were arrested at the Pentacrest on the morning of Friday, the eighth of May, I would like to thank all of the people who supported us with bail donations and food. The moral support that you gave us was more than appreciated. I know that all those who went to jail with me feel the same as I do. After all, we were right. Thank you all again. Right on.
Heather Wedin, A2
Burge Hall

To the Editor:
  First I would like to applaud the city police for the way in which they handled
[remainder of article missing]

Saving...

The Daily Iowan OPINIONS PAGE 2 TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1970 IOWA CITY, IOWA Publisher ...John Zug Editorial Adviser...Lee Brown Editor...Lowell Forte Advertising Director...Roy Dunsmore Boyd: UI must represent all Classes at The University of Iowa will be held as usual on Monday and through the close of the final examination period Tuesday, May 26. In light of recent events and the tense emotional situation on campus, however, a number of students, fearing for their safety, have expressed the wish to return home. Their concern on this score 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. Those who wish to return home may do so without penalty. But before they leave, the university will need a clear indication of their choice of (1) completing their work at a later date; (2) accepting a "pass" or "withdraw" grade; or (3) accepting a grade based on the work completed through May 3. Further information on how to exercise this choice, and a simple form for doing so, will be available to University of Iowa students by 10 a.m. Sunday (May 10) in all university residence halls, the Mayflower Hall, and Iowa Memorial Union. I have been urged by a number of concerned students to close the University at once as a means of expressing the opposition of the University community to the war in Vietnam. I sympathize greatly with those who condemn the war, but I can not make the University the political agent of any group, no matter how much I might personally condemn recent actions in Southeast Asia. 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. If the University were to give in to force at this time, a great principle would be lost. This principle embodies the notion that the continued access to learning and the services of the University for all who want them should be maintained. 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 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 and its usual academic functions will be maintained. Everything possible will be done to secure the safety of all members of the university community and university facilities. —Willard L. Boyd —Reprinted from Monday's Extra Edition of The Daily Iowan Senators reply On Sunday, May 10, Student Senate was called in special session to consider President Boyd's statement concerning class attendance and the upcoming strike. By a vote of 20 to 12, the Senate passed Senator Bloomquist's resolution which expressed support for president Boyd's position as the best one he could have taken under the [remainder of article missing] To the Editor Pleas for legitimate protests To the Editor: I am writing this letter because I simply can't contain the sadness that I have felt over the past week's events. I looked proudly on as some 6,000 students took part in a "peaceful Moratorium" march and rally last October. At that time I was firmly convinced that there was some hope for this crazy, bloodthirsty world of ours, because a group of my fellow students seemed so dedicated to the principles of peace. However, the events of the past week seem to negate all this. This last week has witnessed attempts by a minority of this campus's students to identify themselves with the peace movement through the thoughtless destruction of university and public property. They do this supposedly in protest against the U.S. involvement in Vietnam and the subsequent killing of the four students at Kent State. Whatever their reasons may have been, I deplore this senseless destruction. Burning buildings will never result in peace or mutual understanding betweena government adn students. Beaking windows will not end this senseless war in Vietnam. Shouting profanities will not find the true causes for those sad deaths at Kent State. It takes real work to make as large a government as ours listen to the individual citizen. This is true. I'd be the first to admit this. However such violent actions will only produce a leftist example of the Nixon-Agnew syndrome: totally unresponsive to the needs of this country. So don't sing the praises of Bruce Clark and his rock throwing crowd to me. I've seen and listened to too many of his type of perennial cause grabbers to believe that the rock throwers really care to make this country more responsive to its peoples' needs. It's so much easier to complain and burn buildings than to get off your rear and learn how to work through effective governmental [missing right hand side of article] Arrested, they praise To the Editor: As one of the many who were arrested at the Pentacrest on the morning of Friday, the eighth of May, I would like to thank all of the people who supported us with bail donations and food. The moral support that you gave us was more than appreciated. I know that all those who went to jail with me feel the same as I do. After all, we were right. Thank you all again. Right on. Heather Wedin, A2 Burge Hall To the Editor: First I would like to applaud the city police for the way in which they handled [remainder of article missing]