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Show Regents back SDS decision ! '7!:T!h-: i :c ' (:--. v THrr i i Basing their decision on principles of "academic f freedom and responsibility," the University Board of ; Regents endorsed University recognition of Students for Democratic Society (SDS) in a meeting, Dec. 9. In a policy statement, the regents said "a true university requires both freedom and order. Our intentions have been, are, and will be to maintain those two necessary conditions with regard to any organization or activity at this University." An opinion from the attorney general indicates 'that the regents and administration have every right - in fact a responsibility - to enforce reasonable regulations which are necessary to maintain the University in such a way that it can fulfill the purposes of its existence." As early as 1937, the opinion continued. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that "we may not prejudice individuals or organizations before they have violated University rules and regulations." Concern has been expressed over the association of the University chapter with the disruptive actions of other chapters. In citing several Supreme Court cases, the opinion indicates "that disruptions by counterpart groups elsewhere are not a sufficient basis for arguing in advance that recognition on this campus constitutes 'a clear and present danger' to the functioning of the University." Recognition is not "approval" or "condonation," a"cording to the attorney general. It merely means that the University will give student groups certain privileges, such as the use of facilities and bulletin boards, to permit communication within the University community." In keeping with the existence of "freedom and order" on the campus, at any violations of the rules and regulations of the University, the "regents and administration will move swiftly and appropriately to deal with those who cause such infractions," the regents said in their statement. The Regent's statement also notes that "recognition" permits the University to fix responsibility for the acts of the members of any student group, and brings that groups's ideas into the academic arena. "We believe this institution can best cope with any challenges to freedom and order by maintaining effective lines of communications," said the regents. Maintaining the standards necessary to the proper functioning of a university community is easier when dissent does not go underground, with all the consequences that particular course of action carries." After the Student Affairs Committee to extend recognition to SDS for one year, Jim Beaver, SDS chairman, said the group would divide into committees of Information, Migrant Worker, ROTC, and Fund Raising. In it's next meeting Monday at noon in Union 312 the group will discuss the "Grape Boycott and Cuba." Crowded college classrooms and professors salaries which fail to compete with salaries in surrounding states are only two of the problems for which colleges are seeking additional funds. The I University has already suffered a money cut at the hands of the Utah Coordinating Council of Higher Education. |
