Thousands back Chalmers
By BOB WOMACK Kansan Staff Writer
The all-University convocation held Friday afternoon resulted not only in the adoption of the two alternatives proposed by SenEx but in a variety of student emotions and opinions
Students approaching the stadium were urged to sign petitions backing the chancellor. The petitions were hastily organized by student body president Bill Ebert as a means of countering what Governor Robert Docking described Friday night as "great, great agitation to get rid of the chancellor." One of those outside the stadium helping to circulate the petitions, when asked why he was helping replied, "Because Bubb and Shultz are meeting with the Governor to get him to get rid of Chalmers."
The feelings of most of the students regarding Chalmers seemed to be confirmed when he entered the stadium to an enthusiastic standing ovation and went to stand alone in front of 12.000-15.000.
Before presenting the SenEx proposal, Challers made a brief statement saying that this was a "unique period in history, one of enormous tension and anxiety." He said social and political issues had reached a priority of concern overreaching immediate educational needs of all students and faculty. To close the University would be to coerce those with legitimate educational goals, but to conduct business as usual would also fail to meet the needs of a great number of students.
As Chalmers began to present the SenEx proposal, he was surrounded by about 35 blacks led by John Spearman, chairman of the Black
Student Union. They formed a tight semicircle around Chalmers who continued his remarks before handing the microphone to Ebert, who outlined reasons for his support of the SenEx proposal.
Ebert said he felt the most important factor in the compromise was the provision for each student to follow the decision of his own conscience. "I can't morally oppose that," Ebert said, "This proposal liberates each of us to make up our own minds."
Ebert pledged to see that there will be "alternatives to business as usual" should "the insanity of expansion of the war" be still with us when students return to classes in the fall.
While Ebert was speaking, Chalmers was surrounded by the black students, who were told by the Chancellor that they could speak if they would wait their turn. They apparently attempted to grab the microphone from Chalmers, but he maintained possession of it in order to ask for a standing yes-no vote on the proposal.
After the proposal had been overwhelmingly accepted by the crowd, and the blacks had left the track refusing to speak, Prof. Lawrence Velvel opened his remarks saying, "I think the chancellor just showed a hell of a lot of courage." This remark was greeted by another long ovation for the Chancellor. Velvel continued his brief talk to urge the assembly to "let a mad government know you are not going to go along with usual things to allow them to go on with the craziness in Asia."
An open mike was made available for about (Continued to page 29)
Photo by Ron Bishop
More than 12,000 came . . .
Students flocked to the convocation, coming down the hill behind the campanile in a seemingly never-ending stream, until one side of the stadium was completely filled.
80th Year, No. 132
The University of Kansas—Lawrence, Kansas
Monday, May 11, 1970
Muskie asks support for 'peaceful action'
By TOM SLAUGHTER
Kansan Staff Writer
Senator Edmund S. Muskie, D-Maine, made what he called a "major policy speech" Friday, asking students for their help in the coming months to support peace candidates in the fall elections.
The nearly 10,000 students booed Meredith Docking, wife of Governor Robert Docking who earlier Friday in a press release said that the closing of any state universities would not be tolerated.
Photo by Mike Radencich
Muskie, who said he came to the campus to "incite political action," spoke of violence on the campuses of the nation and told students that "violence threatens to brand us anew in the hardest terms."
Muskie, who earlier last week denounced the deaths of the four students at Kent State, told the crowd that there is a division between the people of the country, and the question is today "between tolerance and intolerance." Muskie defended students and said that a "bitter feeling of resentment has been nurtured against our students."
Muskie addresses 10,000
Muskie said it is important that those who lead in political life and the heads of universities, and those who direct the industries call the nation together rather than order it apart.
Muskie said that the nation could not afford to discount the strong support for the Moratorium last fall, or the environmental
teach-ins last month. Muskie said, "If we forget these manifestations of young America, it is at a risk to our very existence as a vital, creative and free society."
Muskie received almost a full minute of applause when he told the crowd that "the vast majority of our young people are simply asking that we have the decency to listen to them, and the understanding to respond in an intelligent manner."
The senator from Maine received hearty applause when he took a slam at politicians who "use their temporary sanctuaries of elective office to insult and intimidate the members of academic communities. The remarks were well received by the students many of whom said they feel the university has become the battlefield of some state politicians.
(Continued to page 20)
UDK News Roundup
By United Press International
Kent State to stay closed
KENT, Ohio—Kent State University President Robert I. White told students Sunday their school would remain closed at least until the beginning of the summer session because "the situation in the Kent community remains explosive and dangerous."
In a letter to the 20,000 students White said the closing of the university was "a victory for those who had sought that end . . . a loss for the overwhelming mass of students."
Old papers save trees
SAN FRANCISCO—More than four million pounds of old newspapers were collected and recycled into usable newsprint during a four week drive concluded Sunday by the San Francisco Examiner.
The salvaged papers were taken 500 miles to a Pomona recycling plant where they were processed and returned to the bay area. The effort saved approximately 31,000 trees from destruction, the newspaper said.
Blackmun debate begins
WASHINGTON—With no opposition yet apparent the Senate turned today to what will probably be a short debate on the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Harry A. Blackmun.
Confirmation, perhaps unanimously was expected Tuesday. Blackmun would be able to take his seat when the court reconvenes May 18 after its current two week recess.
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