Chalmers reflects at year's end-
(Continued from page 1)
is most unfortunate," Chalmers said.
Until a suspect is found, he said, the source of arson at the Kansas Union will not be known.
We do know, Chalmers said, that in the two other cases of arson at KU we are dealing with two individuals who are sick people.
"It wouldn't surprise me at all if the Kansas Union arson came out the same way, that is if we ever find the person or persons responsible." Chalmers said.
"We are living in extraordinary times both on and off the campus. As the universities and society seek to find a combination of old and new values, change must occur," he said. "Our task at the University is to insure that the change be rational."
"Peaceable assembly and peaceable protest is as undeniable to college students as it is to citizens throughout the country," he said. "I am proud of the fact that between four and five thousand students can march down Jayhawk Boulevard without so much as disrupting a twig or a leaf."
The students at KU are more concerned with what is happening on the national and international level than people believe, according to Chalmers.
"When people say that it can't happen at the University of Kansas they're being unfair. Our students represent, because of their interests, concerns, and perspectives, both national and international views."
"Just because the majority of students are sons and daughters of Kanssens does not mean that KU is a parochial school," Chalmers said.
Looking forward to next year, Chalmers said, "I think it will be another year of change."
The continuing tension on the international level will depend on what is done in the international situation, he said.
Chalmers said change would have to be in the educational area also.
"People are becoming more concerned with the problems of pollution and population explosion. The universities must try to supply the answers to the questions. This means that schools
must start new courses to deal with the new issues."
"There is quite a misconception about the position of the Chancellor," Chalmers said. "It is not a position of authority by definition. It is a matter of establishing the one thing that makes leadership possible in a university, and that would have to be respect and rapport with the University community."
"The most unbelievable moment in my life, more so than the day they called me and asked if I would be Chancellor of the University of Kansas, was last Friday afternoon at the stadium," Chalmers said.
"I had no earthly idea that that many members of the student body and faculty would assemble, and even less of an idea that they would vote with such unanimity. We said something not only to each other but to the world, and I think that message is slowly but surely getting out."
"I'm just as proud now to be a part of this University as the day I was appointed," Chalmers said. "However, there were certain points during the year where
Sporadic violence-
(Continued from page 3)
in the suspension of eight students.
Firemen and policemen received no rest, however, as the Gambles store in downtown Lawrence erupted in flames that evening, the result of another act of arson.
Thursday morning, April 16, the high school, still the focal point of tension, saw more than 100 blacks, some armed with tire tools, dispersed by helmeted and club-wielding policemen. Highway patrolmen and Douglas County Sheriff's deputies were called in to assist at the high school.
Four days and nights of calm followed before the major disaster of the two-month period occurred resulting in $2 million damage to the Kansas Union. The same night also saw two firebomb attempts made on the high school resulting in only minor damage. The Union fire, the most successful and damaging arson attempt made, plus the racial unrest of the high school, prompted city, county and University officials to impose an 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew on the city.
Before the curfew could go into effect however, blacks once again confronted policemen on school grounds, April 21.
Fifty local policemen, 240 National Guardsmen of the 1st Battalion, 127th Artillery from Garnett, 30 Kansas Highway Patrolmen and eight special Sheriff's deputies were called in to the city as precautionary measures.
Policemen and public safety officials clashed with 150 blacks carrying clubs and baseball bats that afternoon which resulted in only one policeman's being injured. But the violence had only begun.
The curfew failed to silence the violence as repeated sniper fire and several attempted fire-bombings marked the night.
Two police cars and one firetruck were struck by bullets but no one was arrested. Dennis Kallsen, assistant city manager said, "Indications are that the sniping was simply harrassment shooting and not really intended to kill."
Later that evening an abandoned school building on the north side of town burned to the ground; the result of arson. Eleven people were arrested for violation of the curfew.
The second evening of the curfew was a repeat of the first night's activities, resulting in the arrest of 31 curfew violators and numerous reports of bomb threats to various residence halls.
Among those arrested was David Awbrey, Hutchinson senior and then student body president. Awbrey said that he and several friends were merely on their way home when they were arrested.
The final night of curfew ended with more sniper fire and two minor fires in the predominately Negro eastern section of the city.
The two weeks of violence and remaining tension left the local law enforcement officials nearly sapped of their energy. A general state of confusion followed the day after the last curfew, however, as Gilbert D. Smith, director of public safety, announced his resignation.
Some speculation accused outside sources or radicals responsible for the violence. Colonel William Albott of the Kansas Highway Patrol said, "The tactics that were used were very much like those of SDS Weathermen tactics. This group uses fear to gain an open door."
Smith, disappointed in the lack of support he received from city manager Buford Watson and other local law enforcement officials, resigned offering no comment other than his written statement.
Regents concerned-
(Continued from page 9)
the student strike and others
As a result of his attacks on the University, Shultz has lately been identified in newspapers as "KU's strongest critic."
The academic year 1969-70 has truly been eventful. While many have expressed the view that campus unrest represents youth's decadence and immorality, there are those who believe that it
22 KANSAN May 13
1970
represents youths interest in humanity.
County Attorney Daniel Young estimated curfew arrests to be between 50 and 60 people. Three people were arrested on charges of possessing incendiary devices, while one was arrested on charges of first-degree arson and another on charges of second-degree arson."
Jess Stewart, Wamego Regent, said: "The present generation is concerned with problems relating to people. My generation was concerned with material things. It is obvious that this concern with material things has not gotten us where we should be. I feel that the present generation yields much hope for the future of the world. I just hope students don't lose their concern for people when they leave college."
Opinions on the effectiveness of the curfew ranged from avid support to strong disagreement. One of the loudest voices heard against the curfew was that of Chancellor E. Laurence Chalmers, Jr.
I wondered more than once if I made the right decision."
Chalmers said, "I thought the curfew created more harm after it outlived its usefulness. Once it achieved its purpose it became as much an obstacle as the arson."
Chalmers said he thought the curfew produced tension among the students but didn't point the finger of blame towards students exclusively. He said he thought there was a fringe element of about 20 to 30 radicals at KU, and compared this to the Berkeley campus with its more than 3,000 radicals. "Like vultures they feast on the flesh of society's institutions."
While the situation seems to have calmed, signs of stormy, turbulent weather lay ahead. Rumors indicate that radicals are migrating to Lawrence to "where the action is." The Los Angeles Free Press has been rumored to have printed the following quote: "If you want to be where it's at. Go to Berkeley or Lawrence, Kansas." If "it" hasn't already been here, then the troubles may only be beginning.
"My biggest disappointment," he said, "was that certain areas of change we were trying to effect didn't come about as readily as I had hoped."
Some of these areas, Chalmers explained, aren't terribly visible. "For example, putting the University financing on a sound formulated structure that can be shared with the Regents and legislature."
He said he was happy that this idea was now gaining a great deal of support in the state.
for the University why can't it happen this year instead of next."
Chalmers said at the beginning of the year he found too many questions before him that should have been answered by some other portion of the administration.
"There should be a good and easy structure to the University, where a lot of the decision making is comfortably delegated," he said.
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