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Campus "Unrest" Demonstrations, 1970

1970-05-28 James Michael Moses to Members of the Graduating Class Page 2

THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA NEWS SERVICE
Charge to the Graduates--2

Excellence can not be obtained, however, without dedication. Dedication involves a commitment: a commitment by the University to its students, and by its students to the University; but, far more importantly, there must be dedication by all to the wider community--to society itself.
Excellence, dedication, sacrifice, commitment--these are all fine words to be used on graduation day. But today, this spring, this 1970, is asking for something more than fine words. That something, it seems to me, is involvement. For without involvement the words are meaningless and hollow rhetoric. Involvement is what today is all about. Student involvement? Yes, certainly, but also individual and group involvement outside the university's campus, by all of you who sit here today watching this ceremony.
We students feel we have something to say, and we feel that what we have to say can contribute--contribute to both the University and to society. We feel that the experience of clientele groups--any group to be served--is an important factor in the decision-making process. I don't mean that involvement should lead to a blind consensus, but I think that through involvement a creative, active force for the public good can be established. Just as students should be involved in the development of the curricula which shape their lives, so must we all be involved in all of those decisions which affect us and our society.
In short, all elements of society should be involved in undertaking social change. The so-called "power structure" must make itself accessible to involvement. Because without accessibility to the seats of power, even the most dedicated and committed voices frustratingly go unheard.
The events of this spring point out an essential fact--the client groups, especially the student client groups, are demanding involvement. They are committed to excellency, not adequacy.
I think that commitment--to excellency--is a good one for all of us, not just the students, but each and everyone of us sitting in this Field House today.
In conclusion, maybe this time, upon reflection, will be the best of all possible times to graduate. It may well be that the renewal of human involvement in the democratic process will spark the end of many of the social injustices we have been tolerating too long.

-30-

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THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA NEWS SERVICE Charge to the Graduates--2 Excellence can not be obtained, however, without dedication. Dedication involves a commitment: a commitment by the University to its students, and by its students to the University; but, far more importantly, there must be dedication by all to the wider community--to society itself. Excellence, dedication, sacrifice, commitment--these are all fine words to be used on graduation day. But today, this spring, this 1970, is asking for something more than fine words. That something, it seems to me, is involvement. For without involvement the words are meaningless and hollow rhetoric. Involvement is what today is all about. Student involvement? Yes, certainly, but also individual and group involvement outside the university's campus, by all of you who sit here today watching this ceremony. We students feel we have something to say, and we feel that what we have to say can contribute--contribute to both the University and to society. We feel that the experience of clientele groups--any group to be served--is an important factor in the decision-making process. I don't mean that involvement should lead to a blind consensus, but I think that through involvement a creative, active force for the public good can be established. Just as students should be involved in the development of the curricula which shape their lives, so must we all be involved in all of those decisions which affect us and our society. In short, all elements of society should be involved in undertaking social change. The so-called "power structure" must make itself accessible to involvement. Because without accessibility to the seats of power, even the most dedicated and committed voices frustratingly go unheard. The events of this spring point out an essential fact--the client groups, especially the student client groups, are demanding involvement. They are committed to excellency, not adequacy. I think that commitment--to excellency--is a good one for all of us, not just the students, but each and everyone of us sitting in this Field House today. In conclusion, maybe this time, upon reflection, will be the best of all possible times to graduate. It may well be that the renewal of human involvement in the democratic process will spark the end of many of the social injustices we have been tolerating too long. -30-