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Student handouts ca. 1970
31858059986145_012-04
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3. I. DEMOCRACY IN ACTION The university is not a democratic institution. If it were, decisions would be made either by the university community - students, campus workers, and faculty - or by Iowa voters through the legislature. Neither of these is the case. Students have less than a token voice in decisions, and voters have no real control over the small group of administrators and politicians who run the university in the interests of ruling corporations and institutions of American society. "Student Playpen" The student Senate has elected officers, senators, and lots of committees, but no power. All their actions are subject to approval, or veto, by the President of the University, The Senate has power to propose a student activities budget to the President for approval, and recommend policy changes, but in reality only governs its own powerless body. There are two reasons for Student Senate's continued existence; the University wants to maintain an appearance of democracy and student participation, since appearances are what count, and the Senate provides training for future managerial and political flunkies. Contrary to democratic principles, but consistent with American democracy, the University not only denies students any decision-making power, but rewards political docillity. This is done by dictating what to study, how to behave, where to live, how to relate to the opposite sex, and of course how much tuition to pay. If the message doesn't get through, there is always the 'Regents' Code' to emphasize the fact that students have no self-determination.
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3. I. DEMOCRACY IN ACTION The university is not a democratic institution. If it were, decisions would be made either by the university community - students, campus workers, and faculty - or by Iowa voters through the legislature. Neither of these is the case. Students have less than a token voice in decisions, and voters have no real control over the small group of administrators and politicians who run the university in the interests of ruling corporations and institutions of American society. "Student Playpen" The student Senate has elected officers, senators, and lots of committees, but no power. All their actions are subject to approval, or veto, by the President of the University, The Senate has power to propose a student activities budget to the President for approval, and recommend policy changes, but in reality only governs its own powerless body. There are two reasons for Student Senate's continued existence; the University wants to maintain an appearance of democracy and student participation, since appearances are what count, and the Senate provides training for future managerial and political flunkies. Contrary to democratic principles, but consistent with American democracy, the University not only denies students any decision-making power, but rewards political docillity. This is done by dictating what to study, how to behave, where to live, how to relate to the opposite sex, and of course how much tuition to pay. If the message doesn't get through, there is always the 'Regents' Code' to emphasize the fact that students have no self-determination.
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