DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | Students for a Democratic Society, Herrnstein lecture, February-June, 1972 | 1972-02-29 Daily Iowan Article: 'See no added controls in Herrstein aftermath'

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Students for a Democratic Society, Herrnstein lecture, February-June, 1972

1972-02-29 Daily Iowan Article: 'See no added controls in Herrstein aftermath'

DI
2/29/72

See no added controls in Herrnstein aftermath

By Gail Fagen
Daily Iowan Staff Writer

   Despite the demonstration that caused the cancellation of Harvard Prof. Richard J. Herrnstein's speech at the University of Iowa Friday. UI officials are planning no new policies to prevent such disruptions in the future.
   According to Robert E. Engel, assistant to the president, "although one is tempted at the time of such an incident to make rules protecting a speaker from student demonstrators, it is wrong to legislate without thought."
   Engel said Monday that there is a danger of "losing as much as you've gained," when you control free speech for the sake of order.
   Howard N. Sokol, assistant to the provos, said that prohibiting groups such as the Worker-Student Alliance from having the workshop before Herrnstein's visit would be an infringement on the students' right of free speech.
   Since the Worker-Student Alliance is a university recognized organization, permission for meetings on campus is granted "within the limits of free speech, and today you can say darn near anything you want," he said.
   William L. Binney, director of university security, said that officers were needed at the Herrnstein speech simply because a sizeable crowd was predicted.
   When asked if University Security would be prepared for a disturbance the next time a department invited a speaker. Binney however noted, "we probably wouldn't even know he is here." Visiting speakers come to the university often, he said, and "this man just happened to catch the attention of the people."
   Engel said that he suspected that departments would "think twice from now on" before inviting a controversial speaker to the university, but the students "should have the right to hear controversial speakers."
   "At any rate," said Sokol, there isn't anything we can do to salvage that visit."

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DI 2/29/72 See no added controls in Herrnstein aftermath By Gail Fagen Daily Iowan Staff Writer Despite the demonstration that caused the cancellation of Harvard Prof. Richard J. Herrnstein's speech at the University of Iowa Friday. UI officials are planning no new policies to prevent such disruptions in the future. According to Robert E. Engel, assistant to the president, "although one is tempted at the time of such an incident to make rules protecting a speaker from student demonstrators, it is wrong to legislate without thought." Engel said Monday that there is a danger of "losing as much as you've gained," when you control free speech for the sake of order. Howard N. Sokol, assistant to the provos, said that prohibiting groups such as the Worker-Student Alliance from having the workshop before Herrnstein's visit would be an infringement on the students' right of free speech. Since the Worker-Student Alliance is a university recognized organization, permission for meetings on campus is granted "within the limits of free speech, and today you can say darn near anything you want," he said. William L. Binney, director of university security, said that officers were needed at the Herrnstein speech simply because a sizeable crowd was predicted. When asked if University Security would be prepared for a disturbance the next time a department invited a speaker. Binney however noted, "we probably wouldn't even know he is here." Visiting speakers come to the university often, he said, and "this man just happened to catch the attention of the people." Engel said that he suspected that departments would "think twice from now on" before inviting a controversial speaker to the university, but the students "should have the right to hear controversial speakers." "At any rate," said Sokol, there isn't anything we can do to salvage that visit."