DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | University of Iowa anti-war protests, 1970 | 1970-06-03 Report: ""Campus Tensions -- A Report on Iowa and Elsewhere"" Page 11

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University of Iowa anti-war protests, 1970

1970-06-03 Report: ""Campus Tensions -- A Report on Iowa and Elsewhere"" Page 11

-11-

3. While it might be helpful to designate certain people on campus to furnish an authoritative advisory opinion on whether a proposed course of conduct would be a violation of the rules, the value of such procedure should be seen as complementary to published rules and not as a general substitute for rules. 

4. Where a rule has been adopted, which is applicable to behavior involving some aspect of freedom of speech, association, or assembly, there is a special obligation that the rule be stated with clarity and precision. 

Using these basic guidelines, the Regents and the institutions need to examine whether the rules, as presently formulated, spell out in sufficient detail what is allowed and not allowed on the campuses. 

Clearly we should be equally concerned with protection of student rights as we are with detailing the "thou shalt nots" In this regard, the Regents rules state: " Nothing in these regulations shall be construed to interfere with free expression of thought and opinion at a university under Regents control, including the traditional American right to assemble peacefully and to petition authority."

The SUI policy also spells out these rights in the Student Bill of Rights. UNI also states that it is the policy of the University to permit such expression of opinion for lawful purposes and not to permit interference with same by those who disagree with the opinions expressed by the demonstrators. 

What means of expressing dissent are legitimate means?

In terms of congested campuses and the need to carry out traditional and primary functions on the campus while demonstrations are going on, is it reasonable to set aside a designated area for demonstrations?

While the Board and the institutions must walk carefully and judiciously in such determinations, there must also be recognition by students of the rights and privileges of fellow students as rights and privileges are sought for themselves. Threats of violence, coercive disruptions of classes or lectures and similar acts that tread upon the rights of others are intolerable. Appropriate punishment for such acts must be carried out. 

JUDICIAL PROCESS

No rule, no matter how well formulated, will be effective unless violators of that rule are held accountable for their action. " The effective functioning of a university depends in large measure upon a shared commitment by members of the campus community to the principle of institutional self-governance and an assumption of the responsibilities that such a commitment implies. In disciplinary proceedings all must be willing to provide testimony and to serve as triers of fact. It must be possible to conduct hearings without fear of disruption or retaliation against participants; there must be willingness to respect the finality of decisions."

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-11- 3. While it might be helpful to designate certain people on campus to furnish an authoritative advisory opinion on whether a proposed course of conduct would be a violation of the rules, the value of such procedure should be seen as complementary to published rules and not as a general substitute for rules. 4. Where a rule has been adopted, which is applicable to behavior involving some aspect of freedom of speech, association, or assembly, there is a special obligation that the rule be stated with clarity and precision. Using these basic guidelines, the Regents and the institutions need to examine whether the rules, as presently formulated, spell out in sufficient detail what is allowed and not allowed on the campuses. Clearly we should be equally concerned with protection of student rights as we are with detailing the "thou shalt nots" In this regard, the Regents rules state: " Nothing in these regulations shall be construed to interfere with free expression of thought and opinion at a university under Regents control, including the traditional American right to assemble peacefully and to petition authority." The SUI policy also spells out these rights in the Student Bill of Rights. UNI also states that it is the policy of the University to permit such expression of opinion for lawful purposes and not to permit interference with same by those who disagree with the opinions expressed by the demonstrators. What means of expressing dissent are legitimate means? In terms of congested campuses and the need to carry out traditional and primary functions on the campus while demonstrations are going on, is it reasonable to set aside a designated area for demonstrations? While the Board and the institutions must walk carefully and judiciously in such determinations, there must also be recognition by students of the rights and privileges of fellow students as rights and privileges are sought for themselves. Threats of violence, coercive disruptions of classes or lectures and similar acts that tread upon the rights of others are intolerable. Appropriate punishment for such acts must be carried out. JUDICIAL PROCESS No rule, no matter how well formulated, will be effective unless violators of that rule are held accountable for their action. " The effective functioning of a university depends in large measure upon a shared commitment by members of the campus community to the principle of institutional self-governance and an assumption of the responsibilities that such a commitment implies. In disciplinary proceedings all must be willing to provide testimony and to serve as triers of fact. It must be possible to conduct hearings without fear of disruption or retaliation against participants; there must be willingness to respect the finality of decisions."