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University Daily Kansan Monday. Nov. 20, 1961
What Price Peace?
Last week the costs of promoting a peaceful atmosphere for the KU-Missouri game became painfully apparent. In fact, three KU students consider the price prohibitive.
The University's confiscation of 2,950 ATAP buttons indicates that it plans to insure peace this weekend, regardless of costs. But it appears that the University's peace-at-any-cost attitude may have done more to heighten the rivalry than the 3,000 buttons.
THE THREE STUDENTS CERTAINLY have the right to engage in free enterprise without interference by the University. The fact that the sale of the buttons might not be in the best interest of the University should not have any bearing on their right to sell them. Even the question of the effect of the buttons on crowd behavior is not a clear cut one. Some people have said that the wearing of a button indicates school spirit and not intentions by the wearer to become involved in some type of disorderly conduct.
The Administration admitted it had no legal right to seize the buttons but it attempted to defend the seizure by saying it has a moral right to "defend the dignity of a great institution." It is hard to see how an action such as this is a defense of the "dignity" of KU. It would seem that a disciplinary action that has no foundation in law would be an affront, rather than an action to protect the dignity of the University.
ADMINISTRATORS HAVE A TENDENCY to sometimes be too concerned with the "image" of their institution. They react defensively to anything that poses a threat to this "image." They should realize that although the actions of individuals often affect the reputation of the University, they do not always come within the control of the University. What could the University have done if those involved in the sale of the ATAP buttons were not students?
The University can go only so far in its attempts to prevent the disturbances that many fear will break out. The University certainly cannot act as the conscience of every individual who will be present in Memorial Stadium. Each of the 40,000 who will witness this game must be responsible for his own actions.
Perhaps an appeal to the conscience and responsibility of each student and spectator would have been more effective than actions that do not allow the student an opportunity to use this responsibility. It is obvious that by disallowing the sale of the ATAP buttons the University has eliminated the need for the student to be responsible in making his decision regarding the buttons. But it will not be as easy for the University to so limit the other possible circumstances that might lead to disturbances at the stadium.
IT IS THE OPINION OF THE KANSAN
that KU students do not require the paternalistic protection that the University has insisted on providing. Dean Woodruff would not have been hanged in effigy and the University could not be accused of acting outside the law if the administration had allowed the sale of the buttons and at the same time appealed to the student body to use its better judgment and not buy them.
College is generally regarded as the last step in the individual's preparation for the full responsibilities of life. But the University continually shields the individual from the necessity of making decisions he will later have to make for himself.
A historical look at the enthusiasm KU crowds have shown at athletic events indicates that there has been a general lack of exuberance. Just this year the KU head cheerleader complained of a lack of spirit at football games. So there is historical basis for belief that KU students are responsible in their behavior at the stadium and field house. Why couldn't the University recognize the right of those involved to sell the buttons, then make an appeal, aimed at the maturity of the KU student, in which he would be asked not to buy the buttons?
Except for the confiscation, the University and the student body have fulfilled their responsibilities. The Administration announced it has doubled the number of ushers, policemen and Pinkerton ticket takers in an attempt to prevent trouble. The student assemblies and leaders of both schools have signed a pact which officially re-establishes peaceful relations between the students of both universities.
WHAT MORE CAN BE DONE? The Kansan certainly does not feel that the University should go so far as to abuse the rights of students in its efforts to promote peace. However, the adoption of more positive attitudes toward the coming athletic contest could possibly help a crisis. As long as everyone continues to think there will be trouble, there is a good chance their expectations will be rewarded.
The Kansan hopes that KU students will use this opportunity to show their ability to exercise judgment and make decisions on a mature and adult level. We believe that KU students will do this and act this Saturday with the forethought and restraint that has characterized their participation as spectators at past athletic events. The Kansan does not agree with the opinions expressed recently in the editorial columns of the Lawrence Journal-World and reprinted on this page. The editorial writer no doubt considers students to be the most irresponsible of all creatures.
The Kansan hopes that in the future the administration will act with the realization that KU students want to be treated as responsible individuals. -The Editors
Guest Editorial-
Orchids to KU
(Editor's Note: The Kansan is reprinting the following editorial from the Saturday Lawrence Journal-World so that the reader may compare conflicting opinions on the Administration's seizure of the ATAP buttons.)
Kansas University and its dean of students, Laurence Woodruff, are to be congratulated for their decisive stand against lapel buttons and signs that tend to stir up trouble and ill-will for the Kansas-Missouri football contest here a week from today.
WOODRUFF LEFT NO DOUBT about what was in store for youngsters caught "dealing" in such childish material when he declared, "I take a dim view of the idea, and anyone associating himself with the buttons is jeopardizing his student status . . . I gave them their choice. They could either turn the buttons in to me, or run the chance of being disqualified as students. I probably had no legal right to do what I did but I think we have a moral right to do what is necessary to protect the dignity of a great institution. These buttons have become a symbol of
KU has taken the leadership and seems to be expending every effort to prevent trouble—such as occurred on KU football and basketball visits to Columbia last year. The school and its leaders are to be congratulated on this positive stand. There will be grumbling by some students about the denial of their rights, but these will be the ones who realize least that with rights goes responsibility.
poor sportsmanship on the part of both MU and KU."
Let's hope Missouri officials work as hard as those here at preventing trouble next week. If they do, chances are good there will be no severe disturbances such as have marred the rivalry of late.
DEALING IN SIGNS AND BUTTONS with obviously unwholesome connotations does not reflect a burning sense of responsibility by anyone.
It is refreshing and encouraging to hear about a KU dean speaking out and acting so forcefully in a matter of discipline.
"Well, I don't know what to do with them! You confiscated 'em!"
Sound & Fury
A Defense of Buttons
(Editor's Note: The following is a statement released by one of the students involved in the University's seizure of 2,950 ATAP buttons.)
The question concerning ATAP buttons is not one of their effect on school spirit, for this is merely a matter of opinion. It seems there is a deeper and more important question involved in the seizure of the ATAP buttons by Dean Laurence C. Woodruff of the University of Kansas than that of their questionable effect on KUMU relations. Dean Woodruff admitted, "I probably had no legal right to do what I did."
In taking his action Dean Woodruff has seized private property without authority or due process of law. It seems he has accomplished this by using his power to expell students as a threat to coerce the students involved in selling buttons into turning their property, in this case their buttons, over to him. Dean Woodruff has said that, "I think we have a moral right to do what is necessary to protect the dignity of a great institution."
What kind of "moral right" allows individual and constitutional rights to be compromised as they were in the confiscation of the buttons? The University has shed any dignity it might have had by compromising the very principles upon which it and this country were founded.
In taking his actions the Dean has given himself the power to restrict free and legal trade. Dean Woodruff seems to have found it necessary to apply the Machiavellian principle of the means being justified by the ends which they accomplish. For although the University's ends may be justified, the means used to achieve these ends are very questionable.
Dale MacCollum Kansas City senior
Dailu Hansan
University of Kansas student newspaper
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T
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