DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | University of Iowa Committee on Human Rights policies, 1958-1986 | 1964-08-11 Dean Ted McCarrel to Professor Richard Lloyd-Jones Page 2

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University of Iowa Committee on Human Rights policies, 1958-1986

1964-08-11 Dean Ted McCarrel to Professor Richard Lloyd-Jones Page 2

FINAL SUMMARY
August 6, 1964

Problem:

A. Chapter III, Article IV, B, of the CODE OF STUDENT LIFE states:

"It is assumed by the University that householders whose off-campus facilities have been approved for single undergraduate students prior to September 1, 1961, shall rent to all students on the basis of their individual merits as persons without exclusion on the basis of race, creed, color, or national origin."

B. The question was: "How much prejudice and discrimination is there among SUI approved householders?" After September 1, 1961, all new householders were required to sign an agreement with the University, but approximately 150 were registered prior to 1961. The Office of Student Affairs decided to determine which of these were discriminating and to drop them from the register. 

Method: 
Undergraduate householders for men were interviewed in their homes. This was regular householder contact by the Off-Campus Housing Office and renting to Negroes and/or foreign students was only one of several topics discussed (e.g., taxes, student behavior, etc) The effort was to gain impressions in a non threatening setting. 

No householders who have signed a "Statement of Conditions" were interviewed, the assumption being this written statement is sufficient evidence of a positive attitude. 

Any householder whom Mr. Birtcher felt would definitely not take Negroes was interviewed later by Mr. Rhatigan. Mr Rhatigan's approach was a direct one: Would the householder be willing to rent on the basis of a student's individual merits?

There are currently 215 approved householders. During this investigation, 125 were interviewed, 56 had signed a statement of conditions, and 34 were not visited. Several attempts were made to contact the latter group, but it was not possible to see them in the time allotted. As such, this report deals with approximately 84% of the approved householders. 

Results:

125 Personal Interviews 

(contd, p.2.)

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FINAL SUMMARY August 6, 1964 Problem: A. Chapter III, Article IV, B, of the CODE OF STUDENT LIFE states: "It is assumed by the University that householders whose off-campus facilities have been approved for single undergraduate students prior to September 1, 1961, shall rent to all students on the basis of their individual merits as persons without exclusion on the basis of race, creed, color, or national origin." B. The question was: "How much prejudice and discrimination is there among SUI approved householders?" After September 1, 1961, all new householders were required to sign an agreement with the University, but approximately 150 were registered prior to 1961. The Office of Student Affairs decided to determine which of these were discriminating and to drop them from the register. Method: Undergraduate householders for men were interviewed in their homes. This was regular householder contact by the Off-Campus Housing Office and renting to Negroes and/or foreign students was only one of several topics discussed (e.g., taxes, student behavior, etc) The effort was to gain impressions in a non threatening setting. No householders who have signed a "Statement of Conditions" were interviewed, the assumption being this written statement is sufficient evidence of a positive attitude. Any householder whom Mr. Birtcher felt would definitely not take Negroes was interviewed later by Mr. Rhatigan. Mr Rhatigan's approach was a direct one: Would the householder be willing to rent on the basis of a student's individual merits? There are currently 215 approved householders. During this investigation, 125 were interviewed, 56 had signed a statement of conditions, and 34 were not visited. Several attempts were made to contact the latter group, but it was not possible to see them in the time allotted. As such, this report deals with approximately 84% of the approved householders. Results: 125 Personal Interviews (contd, p.2.)