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Show May. 1969 UTAH FARM BUREAU NEWS Page 2 Some Thoughts From the Editor's Desk ; EDITOR'S NOTE: With so many campuses exploding around the nation, we thought it might be well to review a pair of rule sets. These were simply pulled out of the air and are based on common sense,, rather than any special 'training. Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the editor and not necessarily those of the publication or organization. Formula For Campus Explosions fired for misconduct Point out the lack of student involvement in major campus decisions. Mexican-America4.) Work on minority groups. Mistreatment of blacks and Ask such little salt as, "Why questions is a sore spot Rub in a in no classes are Studies taught is there no Black Spanish? Department? Wyy Mexican or black more there professors?" aren't Why 5.- ) Be ready for the big issue. If a genuine issue doesn't develop then one will have to be manufactured, but it's probable that a real one is present which a large number of students may identify with. 6.- ) Protest Identify the issue in letters to the editor, articles, speeches and in small demonstrations with placards and marching. These demonThis early stage strations should be small at first and definitely should serve to polarize students into definite opinions on the issue. If done properly, most students will be in a position contrary to that of the college ns non-viole- nt administration. By Ken Rice ) Commit the Administration. Force the college administration to state their position, not only in regard to the issue, but most importantly, in regard to the student involvement and what they will do in the event of campus Sortie people think its tough to put a college campus in crisis. Actually, it's easy. You follow a simple formula step by step and you can't go wrong that is, unless some campus administrator takes a hard-nose- d position in little have a opposition. In that case, you'll rpore difficulty. But, since few administrators will make trouble, here's the program: 1.- ) Get organized on campus. This brings all the "right thinking" people out to join you. There is strength in numbers. 2.- ) Get campus recognition as an official student organization. Recite the argument about a climate of intellectual freedom on campus. Scream like a stuck pig if they don't accept you. 3.- ) Get publicity. Look for causes to champion other than the basic design of the organization. Support student elections, etc. Try to be a good neighbor and play on every opportunity to get the organization's name in the student paper in an "activist" role. Champion the professor who's been This move is designed to put the college administration in a position where they must either use force or capitulate. Simultaneously issue a list of demands and occupy a central building on campus, preferably the administration building. Depriving the administrators of their normal working environment will unsettle them. 9.- ) New Demands. Issue a new, tougher set of demands. Notify the administration that when the demands are met the building wTill be given back to the campus. Make it seem like a simple bargain peace and hardemands. some rather on the for simple mony campus 10.- ) Amnesty. Before leaving the building you've occupied, make it known that all charges against your group for causing the disturbance must be dropped if there is to be no further violence. This is essential whether your first demands are met or not. 11.- ) Negotiate. When the administration agrees to your demands, announce that student leaders will negotiate with them on implementation. Once this is done, you're on the way to having the campus under your control. 7.- disorder. 8. ) Confrontation. Now that we've pointed out the patently obvious formula for campus explosions, let's turn to what we believe is a simple formula for success in stopping the student protesters in their tracks. The Gut Formula for Defusing Campus Explosions Some people think that in order to avoid catastrophe on campus you must give in to certain demands make concessions to keep peace and formula to nip the student revolts in sanity. Here is a simple step-by-st- ep the bud. Be alert to legitimate problems. If the curriculum is out of date, if the faculty is out of tune, if the programs are behind the times, bring them up to today's standards, but don't let faculty or students get in a policymaking position. Keep students in an advisory role. Make it meaningful but not binding. Students can be extremely useful in identifying problems but are probably not equipped to make final decisions. Faculty people are equipped to handle curriculum problems but faculty senates or councils should not have administrative power. If their advice is properly considered and their legitimate greivances remedied, there is no need to make them an administrative arm of the institution. 2.- ) Build positive student identification. By keeping the lines of communication with students open and free, as was pointed out in item f 1, legitimate gripes will be funneled in for a look. Hold regular sessions with students jo answer questions and reassure them that the administration is interested in building a better university. Make an open attempt to get students to identify, with the administration and become its allies in working to improve the whole educational climate on campus. These students will be rather unfertile ground for dissidents and will tend to discourage the growth of subversive movements. 3.- ) Make it clear who's in charge. The college or university is a part not a mini replica of that of the community or world it finds itself in outside world. All of the civil rights and privileges pertaining to the outside world, do not necessarily pertain within the campus community. It cannot be said that simply because the people of the United States elect government representatives, the students have a right to a voice in the administration of the college or university. The privilege to attend the college or university is just that: a privilege not a right Those who abuse the privilege must have it taken away or otherwise be punished becuase to violate the rules is to hinder the freedom of the rest of the students who wish to exercise their privilege to pursue an education at the college. 1 .- ) THE ADMINISTRATION HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO BE SURE THAT ALL OF THE STUDENTS AND FACULTY UNDERSTAND THIS POSITION AND TO FURTHER BE SURE THAT ALL UNDERSTAND THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS PREPARED TO ENFORCE THE RULES. To equivocate is to invite trouble. ) Make it known that academic freedom has reasonable limitations. To study, to teach, to discuss, to explore, to question are all basic to the quest of knowledge and fundamental to the university environment However, when a movement by students or faculty threatens the existence of the university itself then it is no longer academic freedom but academic license and cannot be rightfully tolerated. If a student or faculty organization makes threats against the university or college and then engages in any kind of overt action against the university, the recognition of the student or faculty group, the matriculation of the students and the employment of the faculty should be immediately withdrawn and those individuals declared trespassers. The days of tolerating nearly any sort of ridiculous behavior under the guise of academic freedom should be brought to a halt Standing by and watching subversive elements multiply and flourish on campus is foolish to say the 4.- least ) Establish an emergency procedure. Being forewarned is not enough. The administration should meet with local law enforcement officials and make plans for disturbances. The wise administrator will visualize as many different types of disturbances as possible and work out action plans for each. The law enforcement people should be familiar with campus geography in advance along with giving advice in emergency planning. Riot plans should include provisions for the maximum safety of all concerned including rioters. There is little excuse for the scene in which the panicky college president calls the police who charge in breaking heads with riot clubs. This only adds . fuel to the fire the dissidents have started. A swit arrest of rioters who are led off quietly to jail will make few headlines outside your own community. 6.) Refuse to negotiate. Ridiculous and unrealistic demands that wouldn't be considered under normal circumstances should not be considered under duress. The addition of violence hardly makes the demands more palpable or palatable. The administration position that the demands will not be considered, issued under strong, definite terms will clarify the situation greatly. The rioters who may have seized a building are left with the choice of either burning it down or leaving. Knowing that the administration will not give in will have an amazing effect Rioters who break laws should be treated as any other lawbreakers with no consideration of amnesty. Losing a building may be a small price to pay for settling the question of amelioration on the part of the school administration. Once they learn there will be no wishy-was-h from the president's office; there is little to gain, short of arming the whole student body. 5.- |