Kansan Staff Photo bv MIKE RADENCICH
Unrest Panel Report Give It a Chance
From the recently released report of the President's Commission on Campus Unrest, it appears that the commission has met its difficult task in a manner that encompasses all aspects of the turmoil and dissension so evident on American campuses today.
Criticized and condemned even before it was released, the report faces considerable opposition from many whose minds are entrenched in unalterable tracks.
But the report was definitely not the one-sided excuse for violence that many of its critics claimed it would be. In the most straightforward language, the report states, "Students who bomb and burn are criminals. All those who applaud these criminal acts share in their evil."
This strong denunciation of student violence is one of three significant aspects of the report. It might have included in its denunciation of those actively participating in the violence those who passively acquiesced to those advocating violence as the only means of accomplishing control of political power.
One of the report's recommendations, if adopted, could contribute to the alleviation of problems on many campuses. This is the recommendation that universities be "more explicit in defining what the university considers to be impermissible conduct." If there are clearly defined and enforced codes of conduct, such as KU already has, there should be less misunderstanding when those violating these clearly defined rules of conduct are suspended or expelled from the institution.
The commission coupled this recommendation with the warning that universities should be willing to discuss grievances with students involved in a disruption—even when the students' request comes
in the form of a list of "non-negotiable demands." The third recommendation is of special significance to Lawrence in the light of what happened this summer. The commission clearly sets forth the need for better training and equipping of police and National Guardsmen who may be called to handle disturbances on campus. They warn that sending civil authorities onto a college campus armed "as if for war—armed only to kill" has brought tragedy in the past and can only bring more tragedy in the future.
The report traces campus unrest to three roots: war, racial injustice and the university itself. It also recommends that President Nixon take the lead in explaining to the American people the underlying causes of campus unrest.
If there is some shaky ground in the report, it probably lies in the report's contention that "only the President can offer the compassionate, reconciling moral leadership that can bring the country together again." This would seem to be too much to ask of any one man, especially of Nixon, who, when he talked with war protestors in Washington for the Moratorium, was chiefly interested in how their respective football teams were doing.
It is the responsibility of all Americans, united in an effort to end division and increase understanding.
Those on the right who are eager to criticize the report would do well to remember that it urges swift removal from campuses and vigorous prosecution of perpetrators of violence. Only through cooperation of those on and off the campus can a spirit of sincere responsibility prevail and preserve higher education in these days of crisis.
—Bob Womack
Griff & the Unicorn
SOKOLOFF
"Copyright 1970, University Daily Kansan'
LETTERS
Foreign Student Rooms Described as Adequate
To the Editor:
We, the Association of University and Residence Halls (A.U.R.H.) International Committee feel that it is our duty to answer the statements written in the September 15 and September 21 articles of the Kansan by Peter George. The statements were in reference to the housing and treatment of foreign students. We feel that it is our responsibility to set the record straight concerning AURH's position on foreign students.
George made accusations based on conditions he experienced in residence halls two years ago. According to George, the foreign students are: 1) discriminated against and 2) living conditions in the residence halls are not adequate. For example, George states that the food is not suitable, while actually some residence halls have complete kitchen facilities that are open to all residents. In reference to the charge that discrimination exists, all students are contracted equally and have the same options in choosing hall preference. In combating isolated cases of discrimination, the AURH International Committee was organized to familiarize and orient all foreign students with the campus and all that is associated with KU.
We encourage interest and aid the problems of the foreign students. We feel that the residence halls, as well as the University, do not need unfounded criticism.
Alex Thomas Addis Ababa, Ethiopia sophomore and chairman of the AURH International Committee
Committee
BSU Funding 'Responsible'
To the Editor:
We, the undersigned, wish to respond to the letter in the Sept. 15 Kansas concerning the Student Senate's allocation to the Black Student Union. We, as white people, wish to respond because it is not up to the blacks to deal with the ignorance of our white brothers, whose letter contained a confusing list of questions.
The assumption that the BSU is similar to the Kansas Union SUA or the Student Senate is false. The Union is a building, not funded by student activity fees. The SUA is a coordinating committee for student entertainment and education. Only two of its activities are taken care of by student fees—the movies and speaker series. Finally, the Student Senate is a student governing body that considers the requests of any organization, such as the SUA or BSU.
Another mistaken assumption in the letter was that all students were "directly" affected by any one allocation. A large majority of the athletic allocation is given to men's sports, and most of the money given to the Commission on the Status of Women affects only women "directly." Just because certain people are excluded from the "direct" benefits or participation in those organizations does not invalidate their allocations. As the above must deal with the needs of their groups, so must the BSU.
The betterment of the whole university community is a responsibility that the Student Senate has when it makes appropriations. We feel the BSU appropriation approved by the Student Senate was consistent with that responsibility.
Laura Friesen Leslie Saunders Clay Center senior Hugoton senior
Jean Crain Bob Myers Fort Scott junior Wichita junior
Phyllis Farrar Barry Albin Norwich senior Topeka senior
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