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Article Title: UNL Student Reaction to the Cambodian Incursion and the ,

Full Citation: Stephen Witte, “UNL Reaction to the Cambodian Incursion and the Kent State Shootings, May 1970,” Nebraska History 75 (1994): 261-271

URL of article: http://www.nebraskahistory.org/publish/publicat/history/full-text/NH1994KentState.pdf Date: 8/13/2013

Article Summary: At UNL news of the Kent State shootings led to a sit-in at the ROTC Building and then to a brief student strike. The level of unrest on campus was typical for a public institution of UNL’s size.

Cataloging Information:

Names: Steve Tiwald, Jim Pedersen, Joseph Soshnik, Phil Medcalf, Dan Ladely, Stephen Rozman, Mike Shonsey, Alan Siporin, Gail Gade, G Robert Ross, Flavel Wright, Paul Olson, Norman Tiemann, Durward Varner

Nebraska Place Names: Lincoln

Keywords: War, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), National Student Association (NSA), Steve Tiwald, Military and Naval Science (ROTC) Building, Associated Students of the University of Nebraska (ASUN), Daily Nebraskan, Lincoln Evening Journal, Joseph Soshnik, rally, Phil Medcalf, Lancaster County Selective Service Board (draft board), Dan Ladely, Stephen Rozman, Vietnam Moratorium Committee, Alan Siporin, Board of Regents, Free University, G Robert Ross, Norman Tiemann, National Guard, Spelts Commission, LB 445 (1971)

Photographs / Images: Joseph Soshnik, students leaving ROTC building, Steve Tiwald addressing students in Coliseum, Stephen L Rosman with Durward Varner during a student sit-in

On April 30, 1970,President Richard The University of Nebraska-Lincoln reaction to the Cambodian situation Nixon announced that United States and was not immune to the waves of dissent consisted largely of informal discussion South Vietnamese ground forces had en­ sweeping the country's institutions of among small groups from April 30 to tered in order to attack Viet higher learning in the spring of 1970. May 3.7 Cong bases. Almost immediately signifi­ News of Kent State sparked a sequence of The student government at UNL re­ cant student protests against Nixon's deci­ events on the UNLcampus that climaxed acted quickly to Nixon's April 30 an­ sion broke out on college and university with a sit-inat the Militaryand Naval Sci­ nouncement. Newly elected ASUN Presi­ campuses, and in less than a week, scores ence Building followed by a student dent Steve Tiwald accepted an invitation of campuses were experiencing student strike. UNL was not to be another Kent to attend a special National Student Asso­ strikes and other forms of protest. 1On State or Jackson State, for there was little ciation (NSA) meeting in Washington, May4, four students died at Kent State violence, no serious injuries or deaths, D.C.,scheduled for May 1.The meeting University in from National Guard and no use of the National Guard. By considered possible responses to the gunfire during a confrontation between May 8 Governor Norbert Tiemann said Cambodian incursion. Tiwald's trip was protesting students and guardsmen. In the that he hoped to be able to tell President financed by NSAfunds, and he returned following days, hundreds of American Nixon that college campuses in Nebraska to Lincoln on May 2.8The NSAcalled for college and university campuses were ei­ were "like a garden" compared to those in a nationwide student protest of the pres­ ther shut down or significantly affected by other states," However, the absence of vio­ ence of American troops in Cambodia for protest activity.' lence had not been guaranteed, and there the weekend May 1-3, and a National Stu­ The was extremely un­ were to be consequences of the unrest for dent Strike Information Center was estab­ popular with many of the nation's college the university. lished at Brandeis University," students in 1970. An individual's opposi­ In contrast to campuses such as The commission appointed by the Uni­ tion to the war could be based upon Princeton University and Oberlin College, versity of Nebraska Regents to investigate moral objections to war in general, moral the University of Nebraska's Lincoln cam­ the campus unrest at UNLlater alleged objections to the Vietnam conflict specifi­ puses did not experience any large-scale that Tiwald and other ASUN officials cally, fear of being drafted to fight, fear student protests of the Cambodian incur­ planned for a student strike upon his re­ that one's friends or family members sion prior to May 4.4 There had been anti­ turn from Washington. 10Tiwald denied might be drafted, or any combination of war sentiment among some students that ASUN had made any plans for a strike these reasons. Whatever the source of since at least the 1965-66 academic year, prior to the Kent State shootings." It is antiwar sentiment, the Cambodian "incur­ when UNL graduate student Carl likely, however, that ASUN officers dis­ sion" represented an extension of a war Davidson founded a UNLchapter of Stu­ cussed the possibility of staging a student that in the opinion of many young Ameri­ dents for a Democratic Society (SDS), strike. This hypothesis is supported by cans had already gone on too long. The which sponsored antiwar "teach-ins." Tiwald's attempt to discourage the occu­ events at Kent State raised the appalling Antiwar students felt betrayed by Nixon's pation of the ROTCBuilding on May 4 by prospect of widespread domestic vio­ decision to send American troops into offering a strike as a counterproposal." lence perpetrated by either a repressive Cambodia and considered it an unjusti­ The main student newspaper on cam­ government or by dangerous student radi­ fied expansion of the war. At the same pus, the DailyNebraskan, did not react to cals-depending on the observer's point time, a number of students on campus the Cambodian situation until Monday, of view. supported Nixon's decision, and would May 4, partly because it did not publish later oppose both the sit-inat the Military on weekends. The May 4 Daily Nebraskan Stephen Witte, a ] 988 graduate ofHastings and Naval Science (or ROTC) Building, was a year-end parody edition with seri­ College, is currently a doctoral candidate in and the Associated Students of the Univer­ ous news limited to the front page, where history at the University ofNebraska-Lincoln. sity of Nebraska (ASUN) strlkej.Student an editorial by editor Jim Pedersen urged

261 Nebraska History - Fall 1994

UNL students to protest "this most recent his turn came to speak, he announced who would later play important roles in of many intolerable acts by our govern­ that he was going to the Lancaster County the occupation of the ROTCBuilding." ment in Southeast Asia."" Pedersen went draft board offices and invited audience The protesters asked the draft board to on to suggest that UNLstudents take some members to accompany him. Although it cease operations for the rest of the day, action to demonstrate opposition to the is probable that Medcalf had decided ear­ but this request was refused. All available war such as organizing a march, wearing lier in the day to make this announce­ Lincoln police officers in the downtown black armbands, or joining a national stu­ ment, there had been.no organized group area were called to the scene, and the po­ dent strike. Portions of his comments planning a march on the draft board." lice then declared the demonstration to were reprinted in the May 4 Lincoln be an unlawful assembly and ordered the Evening Journal, which might have led group to disperse. Most of the protesters some readers to believe that the student did so, but others refused to leave and newspaper had agitated for disruptive thirteen people were arrested. After the ar­ protests." rests, a group of about 150students as­ In addition to Pedersen's editorial, the sembled across the street from the Termi­ Monday morning campus paper carried a nal Building and continued the protest. short notice of a protest rally to be held The demonstration broke up by 3:30 P.M.23 north of the student union building at 1:30 Once informed of the events at Kent that afternoon. ISThe rally was organized State and the march on the Terminal by the Vietnam Moratorium Committee, a Building, President Soshnik became con­ student organization registered with the cerned about the possibility of trouble university's Office of Student Activities. on the downtown Lincoln campus. He The committee chairman, Mike Shonsey cancelled a trip to South Sioux City in or­ of Omaha, had requested and received der to remain in Lincoln to monitor the permission to hold the rally through nor­ situation." mal university channels.16 Soshnik was not alone in anticipating Bythe time the rally was scheduled to further student protestactivity that begin, news of the shootings at Kent State evening. The May 4 Lincoln Evening Jour­ University had reached the UNL campus." nalquoted ASUN President Steve Tiwald The news was to trigger large-scale stu­ and Vietnam Moratorium Committee dent protest at UNLof a kind not seen be­ Chairman Mike Shonsey as saying that a fore, beginning with the afternoon rally at student strike was now a real possibility. the student union. Lincoln Campuses The Journal further reported that a "strat­ President Joseph Soshnik was not con­ egy meeting" would be held that evening cerned about possible student unrest until at the United Ministries for Higher Educa­ he was informed of Kent State and the President of Lincoln Campuses Joseph tion (UMHE) Building." march on the Lancaster County draft Soshnik. Courtesy of University of Nebraska­ Prior to the main student meeting at Lincoln. board, which followed the student union UMHE, a small, ad hoc group of students rally on May 4.18 including Dan Ladely, Alan Siporin, and The week from May 4 to was Medcalf and a group of 50 to 150 pro­ others met to discuss occupying the Mili­ the high point of protest at UNL against testers walked from the student union at tary and Naval Science Building. The the Cambodian incursion and the Kent Fourteenth and Rstreets to the Terminal main meeting started about 7:30 P.M.with State shootings. Many antiwar students Building at Tenth and 0 streets, which approximately two hundred students in were convinced by the events at Kent then housed the Lancaster County Selec­ attendance. Observers from the Office of State that the time had come for action in tive Service offices on the ninth floor." Student Affairswere also present, as were the form of rallies, a protest march on the Two Lincoln police officers were present faculty members Ivan Volgyes, Philip local draft board, an occupation of the and attempted to prevent the full group Scribner, and Stephen Rozman. Professor Military and Naval Science Building, and from entering the Selective Service office. Paul Olson was present for at least part of finally a student strike against classes at Three to four persons were permitted to the meeting. Alan Siporin spoke in favor the university. 19 enter the office and speak with draft of occupying the ROTCBuilding, but Phil Medcalf, from Ainsworth, Ne­ board workers. Two of the protesters al­ Steve Tiwald suggested a student strike in­ braska, was perhaps the first student to lowed inside were Dan Ladely and stead. Many students at the meeting were take direct action. Medcalf was a sched­ Stephen Rozman, a student and assistant convinced that they had not yet done uled speaker at the May 4 rally, but when professor of political science respectively, enough to protest the Cambodian situa­

262 UNL Student Reaction tion and the shootings at Kent State, and the National Student Association strike; not to compromise when agreements some believed that a strike would not be the suspension of ROTC at UNL until the seemed close." Rozman's actions that a sufficiently strong statement. Siporin an­ United States withdrew from Indochina; night became a major source of contro­ nounced that he was going to the ROTC the disarming of campus police; public versy, culminating in his dismissal in Building, and from fifty to one hundred meetings of the university's Board of Re­ 1971.35 students left the meeting and went to the gents; and academic credit of one hour At approximately 1 A.M. Soshnik and Militaryand Naval Science Building," for Free Universityclasses. The demands the other administrators went back to the Rumors of a possible march on the were presented to President Soshnik upon campus police station to prepare a re­ ROTC Building had reached Vice­ his arrival at the building to negotiate with sponse to the protesters' demands. The Chancellor and Executive Dean of the demonstrators." party returned to the occupied building Student AffairsG. Robert Ross, who had Soshnik, Dean of Faculties C. Peter for further discussions about 3 A.M., with convened a meeting of the military sci­ Magrath, ASUN President Tiwald, Police Soshnik reading a prepared statement to ence department heads late that after­ Captain Gade, Dean Ross, and others as­ the students around 3:30.The statement noon. Ross and the military science fac­ sembled at campus police headquarters called for a special faculty meeting at ulty were still conferring when the firststu­ about 9 P.M. to discuss the situation, while noon on May 5 in the Nebraska Union dents from the UMHE meeting arrived. members of the UniversitySenate's Fac­ ballroom, at which the students' requests Three or four campus police officers, in­ ulty Liaison Committee went to the occu­ for support of the NSA strike, the suspen­ cluding Captain (and department chief) pied building." Approximately an hour sion of ROTC, and academic credit for Gail Gade were present as well, and later Soshnik, Ross, and Magrath went to Free Universitycourses would be acted briefly attempted to prevent the students the ROTC Building to begin discussions upon by the faculty. Student representa­ from entering the building." It is unclear with the student protesters." tives would be permitted to speak at both whether the doors to the building were The initial negotiating session between the faculty meeting and at a later all­ locked when the students arrived (ap­ the administration and the student university meeting in the Coliseum at 2 proximately 8 P.M.). Gade would later spokesmen lasted for about three hours. P.M. Soshnik pledged to relay the stu­ maintain that the doors had been locked, Soshnik's main goals were to convince dents' demand for open meetings to the while Ross believed they had not been the students that their action was not go­ Board of Regents and to open discussions locked. Dan Ladely, one of the firststu­ ing to change U.S. policy in Southeast with student representatives on whether dents to arrive, saw a policeman holding Asia and to arrange for some honorable the campus police would continue to a door shut and concluded that the door way for them to leave the building. He carry firearms. He added that the adminis­ was not locked.f'The official report of the was determined not to use force if at all tration was not aware of any conduct that Regents' investigating commission indi­ possible and to follow closely the warranted university disciplinary action, cated that the doors had been locked and university's policy on disruptive actions. including the actions of those arrested at therefore the student group had forced its That policy called for the use of persua­ the draft board on the afternoon of May4. way into the building. Nevertheless, the sion before other means to end the dis­ The statement ended with a request that campus police made little effort to inter­ ruption and for discussion of issues with the students help ensure that the campus fere with the occupation once the initial the protesters so long as discussion was remain free of violence. Soshnik and the group had entered. Asword of the occu­ not carried out "under condition of administrative team left the building after pation circulated, more students came to duress. "33 reading the statement, which was ap­ the building, many of whom were merely The student representatives believed plauded by the roughly five hundred stu­ curious to see what was going on. The that Soshnik was negotiating in good faith, dents remaining in the building." peak crowd was approximately 1,800 but often the two sides would be near an The demonstrators' spokesmen be­ people." agreement only to see it fail. According to lieved that the administration had agreed The core group of demonstrators that Soshnik, one major obstacle was the insis­ to permit the protesters to remain in the had initiated the sit-insoon selected tence by the student spokesmen that the building overnight on condition that the spokesmen and began considering de­ demands presented to the administration students remain peaceful and not disrupt mands to present to the administration. reflected the will of the entire group, morning ROTC classes. Student leaders at­ Siporin and Ladely were chosen to speak while the spokesmen maintained that tempted to police the actions of people in for the group in subsequent negotiations. they could not guarantee that the group the building and requested demonstrators A list of six demands was drawn up that would accept any concessions they might to remain in the lower level "pit" area." included: amnesty for those arrested at make to the administration. Another prob­ Before Soshnik read his statement to the Terminal Building and those who lem from the administration's viewpoint the assembled students, Ross telephoned might be arrested at the ROTC Building; was the presence of Dr. Stephen Rozman, Lincoln attorney Flavel Wright and told the university administration's backing for who allegedly counseled student leaders Wright that the administration might seek

263 Nebraska History - Fall 1994 a court order directing the students to lot and informed them that he was await­ do so, Olson then discussed the idea with leave the ROTC Building. Wright replied ing word from Soshnik as to whether Richard Gilbert, the chair of the University that any action would have to wait for ROTC classes would go on as scheduled, Senate Liaison Committee. The available later in the morning. At 5 A.M, Soshnik No violence was reported between the ca­ members of the committee decided to asked Wright to obtain an injunction dets and the demonstrators." move the previously announced special against the demonstrators from the Lan­ At approximately 9 AM., Soshnik re­ faculty meeting to lOAM. Olson told caster County District Court, and Wright turned to the Militaryand Naval Science Ladely of this, and Ladely relayed the began work on the injunction petition Building and announced that the adminis­ news to the other students. When con­ soon afterward, Soshnik did not think that tration had determined the occupation to tacted by a member of the committee, it would be possible to hold classes as be "disruptive or potentially disruptive Soshnik approved the idea immediately." long as demonstrators remained in the conduct."? He directed the students to At 10AM., the students left the Military building, and wanted any enforcement leave the building within fifteen minutes and Naval Science Building and went to action against the students to be man­ and informed them that they would be the student union ballroom to attend the dated by some authority external to the subject to penalties in accordance with faculty meeting. The group thought it had university in order to avoid dividing the university policy if they refused, starting made its statement and was relieved to campus community." with probation and proceeding to suspen­ end the occupation undercircumstances Ross returned to the ROTC Building at sion after an hour. He also announced that avoided police action yet kept discus­ about 5:30 AM, and asked the demonstra­ that the university was seeking a court or­ sion of the issues open. Because the ad­ tors, who then numbered about two hun­ der and offered transportation to those ministration had made no effort to take dred, to reduce their numbers to a token students wishing to attend the hearing. the names of the students involved in the few and to permit janitorial workers to Most of the demonstrators remained sit-in,none faced any university disciplin­ clean the building, The protesters agreed where they were. Fifteen minutes later, ary action once the building was only to the latter. Before he left the build­ Soshnik announced that any student re­ cleared." ing, Ross made a statement that the stu­ maining after five minutes would be put The court hearing on the injunction pe­ dents interpreted as meaning that they on probation. Afteranother fifteen-minute tition was in progress at the time the pro­ could remain in the pit area as long as interval, or at about 9:34 AM., according testers departed from the ROTCBuilding. they were peaceful." This statement, to one report, Soshnik announced that the The judge had arrived late that morning, along with the belief that Soshnik had remaining students were now on proba­ and there were cases on the docket agreed to permit peaceful students to tion and that suspension would follow in ahead of the injunction petition. When remain, explains the surprise of many of an hour." word reached the court that the ROTC the demonstrators over the announce­ The mood among the demonstrators Building had been cleared, the petition ment later that morning that the university became a combination of concern that was dropped." was seeking an injunction. force might be used against them and a The protesters worried that if the in­ Soshnik and Ross became concerned sense that the administration had broken junction had been granted, the police, the that violence might break out between its word or that Soshnik had been pres­ National Guard, or both might have been demonstrators and ROTC students arriv­ sured by Chancellor Durward Varner or used to remove them from the building. It ing for morning classes. Soshnik doubted the Regents to clear the building." The was true that local law enforcement agen­ that the leaders of the occupying students perception that force might be used was cies had prepared for possible action. could guarantee that there would be no heightened when some students who During the early morning hours of May 5 interference with classes. The administra­ went to the City-CountyBuilding for the the Lincoln police, the Lancaster County tion asked the ROTCfaculty for input on injunction hearing saw a sizable group sheriff's office, and the Nebraska state pa­ whether ROTC classes could be held." of Lincoln police officers getting into cars, trol had assembled a joint riot-eontrol Meanwhile, the student leaders contin­ and concluded that the police would force of 145men at the Lincoln National ued to assume that they would be permit­ soon be coming to enforce a court Guard Armory, just a few blocks from the ted to remain in the building. Shortly after order." campus. This was at the request of univer­ 7 AM. Alan Siporin reminded the demon­ Professor Paul Olson provided a sug­ sity officials in case it was decided that strators to remain in the pit and to permit gestion that may have prevented further force was needed to implement a court ROTC students to enter the building for confrontation between the administration order. The force remained on standby un­ their 7:30 classes, Some ROTC students and the student demonstrators, Olson til the morning of May 6.49 President did arrive for class, only to find that their asked Ladely if the students would leave Soshnik did not want to use force unless instructors were not in the classrooms. A the building to attend a meeting where absolutely necessary, and Lincoln police military science instructor talked with they could discuss events with the faculty. chief Joe Carroll said police would wait some ROTC students in a nearby parking Ladely replied that he thought they would for a request from the university before

264 UNL Student Reaction

guard if he thought it necessary, adding that in that event the guardsmen would carry live amrnunition.P The possibility exists that Governor Tiemann felt it necessary to take a tough stance on student unrest due to his diffi­ cult battle with conservative challenger Clifton Batchelder in the 1970 Republican gubernatorial primary. However, the governor's correspondence with con­ cerned citizens indicated that he always considered the use of the National Guard to be a last resort, and that while he sup­ ported President Nixon's decision to send troops into Cambodia, he also firmly sup­ ported the right of students to disagree with that decision." Tiemann's position on student unrest and the use of the Na­ tional Guard during the 1970 general elec­ tion campaign against Democratic nomi­ nee J.1. Exon was essentially the same as that contained in his May statements. Exon's position on this issue was not far from Tiemann's, so it would appear that the campus unrest issue was not a major factor in Exon's general election victory." The consistency of Tiemann's public statements on this issue throughout the primary and general election campaigns would indicate that his position was not chosen simply to help deal with Batchelder's primary challenge. While the National Guard did not mo­ bilize to suppress student protest at UNL, Students leaving ROTC building. Courtesy of Omaha World-Herald. the student govemment mobilized to fa­ cilitate protest. During the occupation of entering the campus. Although the police city and university officials. Tiemann said the Militaryand Naval Science Building team used the National Guard armory as a that he had no intention of using the on the evening of May 4, the ASUN Senate base, no guard personnel were alerted or guard at the moment, but he "would not met and passed a number of resolutions activated.50 hesitate to do so" ifnecessary." During his supporting a student strike, calling for an Nebraska Governor Norbert Tiemann campaign appearances, Tiemann sug­ all-university "town-hall meeting" at the reacted negatively to the student occupa­ gested that if students rioted, both the Coliseum to discuss "alternatives available tion of the ROTC Building. In a statement rioters and any "professors who incite the to students concerned about the Indo­ released by his office while he was cam­ riots" should be asked to leave the univer­ War and the problem of ROTC on paigning in North Platte on May 5, sity." Despite the governor's apparent campus," condemning violent forms of Tiemann said that he would not tolerate willingness to use the National Guard if antiwar protest, and calling for discus­ "lawlessness in Nebraska" and that he necessary, guard officers indicated that sions among student and law enforce­ considered the occupation of university Tiemann had given no order to mobilize. ment representatives. The student govern­ buildings to be lawlessness. The governor The governor did keep a close eye on ment did not endorse the sit-in at the stated his belief that unlawful forms of campus events, cancelling a campaign ROTCBuilding." protest jeopardized the right of peaceful trip to Omaha on May 6 in order to re­ At 10 A.M. on Tuesday morning, May 4, assembly. He went on to say that state law main in Lincoln. On Friday, May 8, the special faculty meeting originally enforcement officers stood ready to assist Tiemann repeated that he would use the called for noon began. The protesters

265 Nebraska History - Fall 1994 who had just left the ROTCBuilding at­ gation was made because the Regents left the meeting after the initial strike mo­ tended, as did a significant number of had ordered the administration to get the tion was approved." During the "strike other students. The approximately 350 demonstrators out of the building." week," the UNLchapter of the Young faculty members at the meeting passed a The 10A.M. faculty meeting had Americans for Freedom and the newly or­ resolution that endorsed a voluntary fac­ shown that there was some support ganized Committee for Undisrupted Edu­ ulty/student strike. The resolution recom­ among the faculty for a strike. At the 2 cation opposed the strike." mended no punitive action be taken P.M. meeting in the Coliseum, students The university administration, while against those students and faculty mem­ were to decide whether to proceed with a not endorsing the student/faculty strike, bers who chose to strike, while affirming strike. Some estimates indicated that ap­ did not attempt to overrule the faculty the right of those who did not wish to proximately one half of UNL's 18,800stu­ meeting's recommendation that strikers strike to continue their normal activities." dents attended.60The meeting adopted a not be punished. President Soshnik con­ Several students and faculty members resolution that supported a three-day sidered the strike "counterproductive" be­ addressed the meeting, giving their im­ strike on classes, with the proviso that cause students were losing class time pressions of the previous night's events at those who wished to continue attending without achieving their desire of getting the Militaryand Naval Science Building. classes could do so. Special "strike U.S. forces out of Cambodia. However, he ASUN President Tiwald read the affidavit classes" were organized, in which instruc­ considered the decision on how to submitted by the university to the court in tors were to moderate discussion of the handle students who missed class to be­ support of its injunction petition. The affi­ Cambodian incursion and related topics. long to the faculty, not to the administra­ davit alleged threats against ROTC stu­ Students were asked to participate in a tion. Soshnik did say that striking faculty dents by demonstrators and carried the canvassing effort to spread antiwar infor­ members should make arrangements for signature of G. Robert Ross. Some of those mation. Plans for a rally on Saturday, May their students to obtain the information in attendance insisted that the charge was 9,were announced. Another meeting for they would have covered in class." false. Professor June Levine of the English the purpose of deciding whether to con­ ASUN quickly assumed management department stated that she had been tinue the strike was scheduled for Sunday, of strike activities, which included a letter­ present during the negotiations between .61 writing campaign in which students sent the demonstrators and the administration, While the supporters of a strike were some 2,700letters on the war to their con­ and she recalled that the student demon­ able to carry their motion at the Coliseum gressional representatives by the after­ strators had agreed not to interfere with meeting, it was evident that at least a sub­ noon of May 6. Canvassing efforts, in ROTC students."At the 2 P.M.all-univer­ stantial minority of students opposed the which students would visit and speak with sity meeting at the Coliseum, philosophy strike. Several students spoke against the local residents about the Cambodia issue, professor Phil Scribner suggested the aile­ strike, and a number of strike opponents were organized in Lincoln, Omaha, and

ASUN President Steve Tiwald addresses students in Coliseum. Courtesy of Omaha World-Herald.

266 UNL Student Reaction

Grand Island. Students were encouraged for a "new University of Nebraska," and re­ On , 1970, the Board of Regents to sign an antiwar petition to Congress," questing that students be able to take a issued a statement about the protests, in "Strike classes" were held in the student grade of "P" (pass) or "incomplete" for which the Regents stated their determina­ union and in the English department li­ their academic work. A two-week recess tion that educational programs should brary, and participation in these discus­ before the congressional continue uninterrupted. The Regents also sions was not limited to antiwar speak­ elections in lieu of Thanksgiving break directed Chancellor Varner to proceed ers." ASUN President Tiwald appointed a was also requested so that students could with an inquiry into the unrest with the as­ "Strike Coordination Committee" to over­ concentrate on political activity." sistance of legal counsel. Varner said that see strike activities." With the end of the student strike on the Regents were investigating the inci­ The strike's effectiveness was mixed. May 11,major antiwar protest activity on dents largely in response to pressure from Students in certain colleges and majors campus came to an end. An informal constituents. Later, the investigation was were more likely to strike than others. The "College of Life" was set up with the per­ entrusted to a commission of private citi­ English department was perhaps the aca­ mission of the administration in three zens with Richard E. Spelts, Jr., as chair­ demic department most affected by the tents near Love Library, and some of its man and Duane L. Nelson as staff coun­ strike, while the dentistry, law, and engi­ "classes" were focused on discussion of sel. The commission delivered its report neering programs reported little effect. the situation in Vietnam and Cambodia. to the Regents on August 18,1970.76The Dean of Faculties Magrath reported to the But the emphasis there was on educa­ report generally commended students, Regents that only 4.7 percent of sched­ tional reform, and the "college" did not faculty, and administrators for their suc­ uled classes in the entire university failed last beyond the final exam week." The cess in avoiding violence and large-scale to meet during the strike week, with the faculty rejected the student proposal for interruption of educational programs, and most cancelled classes in the English de­ an election recess, suggesting instead that attributed the unrest to the "disruptive ac­ partment. Student attendance in classes students arrange excused absences with tions of a few individuals." The commis­ was lower in the College of Arts and Sci­ their professors and make up any work sion specifically labeled Stephen ences than in most other colleges, but they would miss while absent for election Rozman's actions as "highly inappropriate even there, attendance remained at about activities. Students made no large-scale for a teacher."? 80-85 percent of normal." protest of the faculty's decision and orga­ Public opinion of the student unrest at The last major protest activity during nized no further major protest of the Cam­ UNLappears to have been negative. The the strike was a peace rally held on Satur­ bodian incursion, largely because the end LincolnEveningJournal conducted a poll day, May 9, on a field behind the of the semester had come and many stu­ in early May in which 48percent of re­ women's physical education building. dents were going horne." On May 13the spondents indicated that their respect for The rally took place on the same day as student union was firebombed, but dam­ students had declined due to the events the 1970 spring intrasquad football game, age was relatively minor and the incident on campus, while only 19percent re­ and more people attended the game than was found to be the work of one or two ported their opinion of students had im­ the rally. Although some authorities had individuals acting alone. On June 10 a fire proved. The same poll showed 49 percent been worried about violence, the Daily at the ROTC Building caused about approval and 43percent disapproval of Nebraskan reported that "[t]he onlyvio­ $15,000 in damage, but no evidence was President Nixon's use of troops in Cambo­ lence on the University of Nebraska found linking the incident to the unrestin dia.P'Ihe editor of the ScottsbluffStar-Her­ campus Saturday occurred in Memorial May.74 Littleif any protest activity occurred ald wrote that "taxpayers are indeed sick Stadium."69 during the 1970 summer sessions, and and tired of shelling out for those who On Sunday, May 10,the "town meet­ campus life was clearly back to normal would use the campus for revolutionary ing" scheduled by the May 5 resolutions when the fall 1970 semester began." purposes," a sentiment shared by the ex­ to reconsider the strike assembled. The The May 1970 protests had a number ecutive committee of the American Le­ Sunday meeting was characterized by ex­ of consequences at the University of Ne­ gion of Nebraska, which suggested that tended discussion of parliamentary proce­ braska-Lincoln. The Board of Regents students at the university "for purposes dures instead of the strike issue. Finally, a commissioned a panel to investigate the other than obtaining an education" be secret ballot was taken on the question of events. Public perceptions of the univer­ asked to leave." continuing the strike with the results to sity were probably affected by the unrest. If the actions of Nebraska legislators be announced at another meeting the There is a strong possibility that it affected are assumed to be representative of pub­ next day." the November 1970 elections for the lic opinion, the proposition that the On Monday, May 11, it was announced Board of Regents; and the protests defi­ public's reaction was negative gains that the vote had been 1,357 to 1,030 nitely affected the career of Dr. Stephen strength. On ,Vice-Chancellor and against continuing the strike. The May 11 Rozman, who was dismissed by the Re­ Dean of Student AffairsG. Robert Ross ap­ meeting then passed a resolution calling gents for alleged improper activities. peared before the Nebraska Legislature's

267 Nebraska History - Fall 1994 executive board to request approval for a after the occupation and of saying that the dormitory renovation project. He was affidavit submitted to the court by Vice­ greeted with numerous questions and Chancellor Ross in support of the injunc­ negative comments about the student pro­ tion petition contained lies about him and tests. Senator C. W. Holmquist wanted a the other demonstrators." list of instructors involved in the unrest, If all of the accusations against while Senator Henry Pedersen couldn't Rozman were true, the Regents would "understand why some punk kids are have had a strong case for his dismissal. burning and looting in the name of aca­ However, some of the charges against demic freedom. "80 Several days earlier, him were refuted by the special faculty Senator Terry Carpenter had hinted that committee appointed to look into the the university might encounter difficulties matter. The committee concluded that al­ in its future budget requests. though Rozman did speak "vigorously," Senator Holmquist proposed that the he was not "abusive." The committee fur­ executive board investigate the student ther found that Rozman did not attempt to unrest, but later agreed to drop the idea persuade students not to leave the build­ when the Regents announced their own ing, and that there was no proof that inquiry." U.S, Senator Carl Curtis of Ne­ Rozman had refused Soshnik's order to braska expressed his displeasure with stu­ leave the building. The committee's gen­ dent unrest nationwide by suggesting that eral conclusion was that "Dr. Rozman was federal aid to those colleges which closed not guilty of inappropriate actions during down due to student strikes be reduced in the week of May 4."86 proportion to the time lost." The Board of Regents apparently did Chancellor Varner thought that the uni­ not agree with either the faculty versity was paying a price for the unrest in committee's assessment of Rozman's ac­ terms of public opinion, and he was likely tions, or with the committee's definition correct. Two Regents also paid a price, of "inappropriate" action by a faculty that of defeat for re-election in November member. This is a plausible explanation 1970. Regents B. N. Greenberg and Rich­ of the Regents' dismissal of Rozman. The ard Adkins were the only incumbents run­ Regents were not academic professionals, ning in 1970, and both were defeated. All and there is no reason to suppose that four successful candidates for the Board they would have the same opinion of of Regents that fall said that voters were what constituted professional misconduct concerned about the protests in May. as professors would. Because five of the Robert Prokop, who defeated incumbent The Daily Nebraskan of February 11, 1971, eight Regents who fired Rozman were Regent Greenberg, had been particularly published this photo of Dr. Stephen L. new to the university, this interpretation vocal in his criticism of the board's han­ Rozman (standing at right) with Chancellor seems strong." Another possibility is that dling of the situation. During the cam­ Durward B.Varner during an encounter the Regents felt the need for a scapegoat outside Varner's office. Nearby students paign Prokop had suggested that all of the are holding a sit-in to protest the Regents' because of hostile public opinion toward student protesters at the ROTC Building decision not to renew Rozman's contract. the student unrest. This explanation is should have been prosecuted and that the Courtesy of University of Nebraska-Lincoln, supported mainly by the emphasis on the Spelts Commission investigation was a Archives & Special Collections. unrest during the Regents' election cam­ "whitewash."83 paign. However, because half of the In addition to Regents Adkins and chief accusations against Rozman were board had just won their seats and would Greenberg, one UNL faculty member lost that he had undermined the UNL not run for reelection for several years, it his job because of the May protests. That administration's position in the negotia­ seems unlikely that a majority of the was untenured assistant professor of politi­ tions between the administration and the board would be so motivated. cal science Stephen Rozman, who was student group occupying the ROTC Build­ The Rozman case was not finally re­ notified in that his contract ing and that he had refused to leave the solved until October 16, 1972, when a fed­ would not be renewed for the 1971-72 building when President Soshnik ordered eral appeals court ruled on a suit Rozman school year." Rozman had been present the demonstrators to leave on the morn­ filed against the university. The court at both the draft board demonstration and ing of May5. He was also accused of be­ ruled that the Regents did have the au­ the ROTC Building sit-inon May4. The ing disrespectful to President Soshnik thority to dismiss Rozman, and Rozman

268 UNL Student Reaction

decided not to pursue the case further." onstrations by students (such as the rallies 3 At the same time, Tiemann announced that if the on the UNL campus). Over 68 percent of Nebraska National Guard had to be called out to Another lasting consequence of the handle civil disturbances, the guard would be student unrest was passage of LB 445, a the schools reported student efforts to armed. "Guardsmen Will Be Armed For Any Major bill introduced in the 1971 Nebraska Leg­ communicate their concerns with area Disturbance," Lincoln Star, May 9,1970,4.

islature by Senator C. W. Holmquist. The residents. The UNL student canvassing ef­ 4 Report ofthe President's Commission, 17;Dr. bill provided for dismissal of faculty and fort appears to fit that description. Over 66 Joseph Soshnik (president of the Lincoln Campuses expulsion of students "engaging in certain percent of schools in UNL's size class had and Outstate Activities in 1970),interview by author, activities disruptive of any public institu­ special seminars, workshops, or projects Omaha, Nebr., Nov. 20, 1992. tion of higher education," and contained related to the issues at hand similar to the 5 Lincoln Evening Journal, June 16, 1968, 3A. Carl the emergency clause, which put it into "strike classes" and "College of Life" at Davidson eventually left Lincoln to become an SDS national leader. A capsule biography of Davidson immediate effect once the bill was made UNL. Unlike UNLand a majority of with photo appears above the story "SDSPlans law. Holmquist said his bill was a direct schools, a minority (46.4 percent) of these Spreading Revolutionary Movement Off Campus." schools experienced a shutdown of one result of the events on the UNL campus in 6 Dan Ladely (current director of the Sheldon Art May 1970.89 day or more. UNL again fits the majority Gallery Film Series and a student at UNLin 1970 Nine years after the sit-in at the ROTC profile, because there was no suspension who was a spokesman for the group that occupied Building, UNL Police Chief Gail Gade said of operations. Twenty-nine percent of the the Militaryand Naval Science Building on the night large schools reported "general student! of May 4,1970), interview by author, Lincoln, Nebr., that the situation at the Lincoln campuses Nov. 12, 1992; Dr. Robert Stock (UNL English profes­ in 1970was a "cakewalk" compared to staffstrikes." Whether the voluntary, mar­ sor and former faculty advisor of the UNLchapter of events at Berkeley, California, and Kent, ginally effective strike at UNL can be the Young Americans for Freedom), interview by Ohio.90 called "general" is debatable, as is the author, Lincoln, Nebr., Nov. 16, 1992. That is an accurate comparison be­ question of whether the single Molotov 'Ladely, interview by author.

cause there were no deaths or injuries at cocktail thrown at the Nebraska Union 8 Report ofCommission ofInquiry on Disruptive Ac­ UNL as there had been at Kent, and Ne­ puts UNL into the category of having ex­ tions on the University ofNebraska Campus, Lincoln, braska Governor Norbert Tiemann had perienced a "destructive demonstration" April30-June 10, 1970, I. Report to University of Ne­ not followed the example of California along with 29.7 percent of the large braska Board of Regents, Aug. 18, 1970. Copy in Stephen Rozman file, box 228,University of Ne­ Governor Ronald Reagan and ordered the schools." The very mildness of the latter braska Biographical/Bibliographical files, University university to close." two activities at UNL tends to reinforce the Archives, Love Memorial Library, Lincoln. Hereafter But that comparison does not answer image of UNL campus reaction being typi­ cited as Spells Commission Report after the the question of whether the reaction of cal for a large state university. commission's chairman, Richard E.Spelts, Jr. UNL students to the twin shocks of Cam­ Peterson and Bilorusky's data also 'Richard E. Peterson and John A. Bilorusky, May bodia and Kent State was "typical" of stu­ show that reaction to the Cambodia/Kent 1970: The Campus Aftermath ofCambodia and Kent State events was in general much milder State (Berkeley: Carnegie Foundation for the Ad­ dents nationwide, for Kent and Berkeley vancement ofTeaching, 1971),5. were exceptional cases. in small, private colleges than at the large 10 Spells Commission Report, 2. In 1971 Richard E. Peterson and John state universities. The smaller colleges in A. Bilorusky published a report on the Nebraska were reported to be largely un­ 11 "Summary Minutes" of a meeting held to re­ disturbed," while there was campus tur­ spond to the Spelts Commission Report, Sept. 21, May 1970unrest on college campuses 1970. Spelts Commission file, box 89, Centralized around the country.v'The report included moil at UNL, by far the largest educational files of Chancellors, University Archives. Present at the results of a survey of 1,856college institution in Nebraska and the state's this meeting were Lincoln Campuses President Jo­ presidents on the intensity of dissent at "flagship" school. It is easy to see why the seph Soshnik, Dean of Faculties C. Peter Magrath, their campuses." A brief examination of citizens of Nebraska were so concerned Executive Dean of Student Affairs G. Robert Ross, ASUN President Tiwald, and other student and fac­ the results seems to indicate that the re­ about unrest on the Lincoln campus, for ulty representatives. sponse at UNLto the Cambodian incur­ nothing quite like it was happening any­ 12 Tiwald made this suggestion at a meeting at the sion and the Kent State shootings was typi­ where else in the state. Despite that con­ United Ministries for Higher Education Building (the cal for a public institution of its size. cern, UNL students were no more "dan­ present UNLCulture Center) on the evening of May Nearly 90 percent of institutions with gerous" than their colleagues at other 4. Spells Commission Report, 3. 12,000or more students (124 out of 138re­ large public universities, and in many 13 Jim Pedersen, editorial, Daily Nebraskan, May 4, sponding schools in this size class) re­ cases were less so. 1970, I. The paper's staff had planned to cease pub­ ported "significant impact" upon campus lication with the May 4 edition, but due to the occu­ Notes pation of the ROTCBuilding and subsequent stu­ operations." A building occupation and a dent strike, publication continued until . student strike such as occurred at UNL 1 President's Commission on Campus Unrest, Re­14The paper's full title in 1970was the Lincoln would seem to fitwithin the category of port ofthe President's Commission on Campus Un­Evening Journal and Nebraska State Journal. "significant impact." Almost 75 percent of rest (Washington, D.C.: GPO, 1970), 17. Pedersen's editorial was noted in the article entitled the large schools reported peaceful dem­ 2Ibid., 17-18. "Students Protest at Draft Board," I.

269 Nebraska History - Fall 1994

15Daily Nebraskan, May 4, 1970, I. 27 G. Robert Ross, interview by George S. Round, 41 Bill Smitherman, "M& N Incidents Recapped," June 16, 1976, transcript, box 21, Agricultural Com­ Daily Nebraskan, May 6, 1970,2. 16Spells Commission Report, 2. munications Oral Histories, University Archives; 42 From the text of Soshnik's 9 A.M. statement, 17 The summary of events at Kent State given in the Spells Commission Report, 3. Report ofthe President's Commission indicates that Spelts Commission Report, 6. 28 Gail Gade and Ken Markle (UNL police lieuten­ the shootings occurred at "approximately 12:25 43 Ibid., 6-8;Smitherman, "M & N Incidents Re­ ant in 1970, later a captain), interview by George S. P.M." (p. 273). Since Ohio is in the eastern time capped," 2. zone, the time in Lincoln would have been about Round, Aug. 7, 1979, transcript, Agricultural Com­ 44 Ladely, interview by author and interview by 11:25 A.M., or approximately two hours before the munications Oral Histories..Markle was also present Round. Paul Olson recalls that some students were scheduled rally. Dan Ladely recalls that news of that night and concurred with Gade's testimony; Ross, interview by Round; Ladely,interview by worried that the National Guard might be used Kent State had reached campus by the time of the against them. Olson, interview by author. Soshnik rally. Ladely, interview by author. Round. Ladely reaffirmed this testimony in an inter­ view with the author on Nov. 12, 1992. has consistently denied that Varner or the Regents 18Joseph Soshnik, interview by author, Omaha, pressed him to seek an injunction and clear the 29 Spelts Commission Report, 3, 4. Nebr., Nov. 20, 1992. In 1970 the chief officer of building (see, for example, Neundorf, "Soshnik, each University of Nebraska campus held the title of 30 Ladely,interview by author. "ASUNSupports Ross Deny Pressure," Lincoln Star, May 9, 1970, I. He "president," while the chief of the system's central Strike," Daily Nebraskan, May 5, 1970,2. The Free repeated that denial in an interview with the author administration held the title of "chancellor." This is University was an informal student-faculty forum for on Nov. 20, 1992. the exact opposite of the present situation in which discussion and experimental education. Olson, in­ 45 Soshnik, interview by author. chancellors oversee individual campuses and report terview by author. to a single university-wide president. 46 Ibid.; Olson, interview by author; Spelts Commis­ 31 Soshnik thought it would be useful for the liai­ sion Report, 8. 19 Ladely, interview by author. son committee to observe the sit-in, act as a communication link with the faculty as a whole, 47 Ladely, interview by author; Spells Commission 20 Ibid. The Spelts Commission Report on p. 2 also and perhaps offer suggestions on how to handle the Report, 17. identifies Medcalf as the original leader of the situation. Richard Gilbert and Norman Rosenberg march, but does not mention that Medcalf had been "Spells Commission Report, 8. were among the committee members present that a scheduled speaker; Dr. Paul Olson (UNL professor 49 Harold Simmons, "150 Law Officers Placed On of English and former chair of the Faculty Senate night. Soshnik, interview by author, Nov. 20, 1992. Paul Olson, although not a member of the commit­ Standby at Armory, " Lincoln Evening Journal, May 5, Human Rights Committee), interview by author, lin­ 1970, I; "Law Officers Have Disbanded," ibid., May 6, coln, Nebr., Nov. 12, 1992. Olson had seen Medcalf tee, was also in the building during much of the night. Olson, interview by author. 1970,21. earlier in the day and had been told of his inten­ tions. Olson knew of no student group planning the 32 Spells Commission Report, 4. 50 Soshnik, interview by author; "Tiemann: No march. Dan Ladely,who participated, remembers Plan to Call Guard," Lincoln Evening Journal, May 5, 33 Soshnik, interview by author; Spells Commission that most of the people who followed Medcalf to the 1970,6; Simmons, "Law Officers On Standby," l. Report, 17. draft board decided to do so on the spot. in­ Ladely, 51 "Tiemann Says Lawless Acts Undermine Dis­ 34 Ladely, interview by author; Soshnik, interview terview by author. sent," North Platte Telegraph, May 5, 1970, I; by author. Ladely recalls that Rozman did advise 21 Estimates of the crowd val)'. The Daily Nebras­ "Tiemann: No Plan to Call Guard," 6. Paul Olson student negotiators, but denies that Rozman was kan estimated 50. See John Dvorak, "Peace March and Joseph Soshnik both recall that they were sur­ able to prevent an agreement. Ladely, interview by Ends With Thirteen Arrests," Daily Nebraskan, May 5, prised that Tiemann was so quick to publicly men­ author. 1970, I. The Spelts Commission estimated 75 to 150. tion possible use of the National Guard, especially Spelts Commission Report, 2. Dan Ladely estimated 35 Rozman's case will be more fully discussed since there had been no significant violence on 75. Ladely, interview by George S. Round, Nov. 4, later. campus yet. Olson, interview by author and 1976, transcript, box 17, Agricultural Communica­ Soshnik, interview by author. 36 Spells Commission Report,S. The full text of the tions Oral Histories, University Archives. statement appears as "Exhibit A," following p. 26 of 52 Marie Shannon, "Governor Covers Many Topics 22 Spelts Commission Report, 2; Ladely, interview the Spells Commission Report. The provision that no in Talk," North Platte Telegraph, May 6, 1970,6. by author. The Spelts Commission Report confirms disciplinary action would be taken against those ar­ 53 "Tiemann: No Plan to Call Guard," 6; "Tiemann rested at the Terminal Building was not really a con­ Rozman's presence. is On the Alert," Grand Island Independent, May 6, cession to the sit-in, as Soshnik had intended all 23 Dvorak, "Peace March Ends," I. Eleven people 1970, I; "Guardsmen Will Be Armed For Any Major along to leave the matter in the hands of municipal were charged with disturbing the peace and refus­ Disturbance," Lincoln Star, May 9, 1970,4. This state­ authorities. Soshnik, interview by author, Nov. 20, ing an order to disperse, one was charged with de­ ment worried organizers of a peace rally scheduled 1992. struction of property for breaking a window, and for Saturday, May 9, as well as university officials. one was charged with using "obscene or indecent 37 Ladely recalls a specific instance in which he Soshnik and Olson each contacted the governor language." Most of the cases were later dismissed. found someone rifling desk drawers in an office and and asked him not to use the guard. Soshnik, inter­ Spells Commission Report, 13; "Students Protest at asked the person to leave. Ladely, interview by au­ view by author, and Olson, interview by author. Lincoln Evening Journal, thor. Draft Board," May 4, 1970, 54 For example: Tiemann to Randy Reeves, lin­ 1,8. 38 Spelts Commission Report, 5-6;Soshnik, inter­ coln, ,1970; and Tiemann to Edward Hart, 24 Soshnik, interview by author. view by author. Lincoln, May 14, 1970; "University of Nebraska Strike" file, RG1, SG 39, box 95, Norbert Tiemann Pa­ 25 "Students Protest at Draft Board," Lincoln 39 Spelts Commission Report, 6. pers, Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln. Evening Journal, May 4, 1970,1,8. 40 Ibid. It should also be mentioned that Ross was 55 See for example "NU Students Hear Exon, 26 Ladely, interview by author; Spells Commission aware of threats by ROTCstudents against the dem­ Tiemann," Lincoln Evening Journal, Oct. 22, 1970,9. Report, 3, 6; Daily Nebraskan's estimate of the initial onstrators as well. See Ken Neundorf, "Soshnik, Ross wave of protesters was fifty. "ROTC Building Occu­ Deny Pressure," Lincoln Star, May 9, 1970, I;Soshnik, 56 "ASUNSupports Strike," Daily Nebraskan, May 5, pied," Daily Nebraskan, May 5, 1970,2. interview by author. 1970, l. ASUNPresidentTiwald expressed his oppo­

270 UNL Student Reaction

sition to an occupation of the building before it 74 SpellsCommission Report, 11-12; Olson, inter­ 89 The full text of LB445 is attached to a memo even happened. view by author. from George Round, then UNLdirector of informa­ tion, to President Soshnik, stating that the bill had 57 Spelts Commission Report, 8. 75 Soshnik, interview by author. been passed by a 4 J-{)vote. Round to Soshnik, 58 "Students to Strike," Lincoln Star,May 6, 1970, 1. 76 "Inquiry Not a Threat'," Daily Nebraskan, May memo, Apr. I, 1971. "Faculty Responsibility, Faculty 21, 1970, I. The SpeltsCommission Reporthas been Dismissal, and Non-Reappointment" file, box 62, 59 Carol Anderson, "Students Call Strike," Daily Ne­ braskan, May 6, 1970, 1,3. Al Siporin, one of the stu­ cited numerous times in this paper. The date of the Centralized files of Chancellors, University Archives. report and the members of the commission are LB445was still in force as of 1987. RevisedStatutes dent sit-in leaders, agreed. See Lloyd MacDowell, of Nebraska (1987), sections 85-601 through 85-605. "Faculty at NUVotes Sympathy, Provides for Volun­ listed on the letter of transmittal from Spelts to the Regents, a copy of which is included with the copy Bob Nelson, "Rozman, Regents Back Campus Distur­ tary Strike," Lincoln EveningJournal, May 5,1970, 1. of the report itself in the Rozman file. bance Bill," Lincoln EveningJournal, Feb. 16, 1971, 60 Estimates of the number of people in atten­ 5. Rozman favored the bill because in its original 77 Spelts Commission Report, 1,19. dance ranged from 4,000 to almost 10,000.The form it provided for "due process" for accused fac­ Spelts Commission Reportestimated 4,000 to 9,000 78 "Majority Polled Here Approve Having Troops in ulty and students. The bill as passed exempted fac­ students present at the Coliseum meeting on p. 9, Cambodia," Lincoln Evening Journal, May 7, 1970, I. ulty on "probationary" (non-tenured) appointments while giving a total enrollment figure of "approxi­ from this provision. See text of bill in Round memo 79 "Tired of Riots," ScottsbluffStar-Herald, , mately 18,800"on p. 18. The Lincoln EveningJournal 1970,2; "Nebraska Legionnaires Voice Views on Un­ to Soshnik, Apr. 1, 1971. ran a photo of the crowd at the Coliseum on p. 48 of rest," GrandIsland Independent, , 1970, I. 90 Gade and Markle, interview by Round. its May 6, 1970, edition. The caption accompanying the photo estimated the crowd at "nearly 10,000" 80 Don Walton, "Several State Senators Express Dis­ 91 Reagan ordered the University of California students. pleasure Over NU Student Protests," Lincoln Star, campuses closed on Wednesday, May 6, 1970. ,1970,17. Peterson and Bilorusky, May 1970, 104-5. 61 Lloyd MacDowell, "NUStudents Crowd Coli­ seum to Vote for Voluntary Strike," Lincoln Evening 81 David Tishendorf, "Angry Senator Says Students 92 See note 10. Journal, May 6, 1970,48. Face 'Paddle'," Omaha World-Herald, May 9,1970, 93 This number refers to the number of responses 17; "Holmquist AsksProbe by Board," GrandIsland " Ibid. MacDowell estimated that about three­ received by the researchers. Peterson and Bilorusky, Independent, May 19, 1970,5; "Board Decides to fourths of those present voted for the strike. Oppo­ Skip Inquiry Into Dissent at NU," ScottsbluffStar-Her­May 1970, 10. nents of the strike were later to claim that the meet­ ald, May 22, 1970,22. 9' Eighty-sixpercent of the 138 large schools were ing was not truly representative of the students, be­ public institutions. Peterson and Bilorusky, May cause only a minority of them were present. Stock, 82 "'Lost Time' Deduction Proposed For Colleges," 1970,43. interview by author. NorthPlatteTelegraph, May 7, 1970, 1. 95 I am indebted to Peterson and Bilorusky, May 63 SpellsCommission Report, 11. The YAFwas a na­ 83 Tishendorf, "AngrySenator ... ," 17; Bob 1970,42-45, for the data appearing in the preceding tional organization of politically conservative stu­ Nelson, "New Faces Will Occupy Four Spots On Ex­ paragraph. dents, which had existed at least since 1968,while panded NU Board of Regents," Lincoln EveningJour­ the CUEsprang up in May 1970 as a response to the nal, Nov. 4, 1970,40. As the article's title indicates, 96 Tables in Peterson and Bilorusky, May 1970,42­ strike. Many CUE members were not necessarily the board was expanded from six to eight members 47; for examples of the small college scene in Ne­ supportive of Nixon's Cambodia policy, but merely that year. braska, see "Small State Schools are Relatively opposed shutting down the university. YAF mem­ Quiet," Lincoln EveningJournal, May 6, 1970, 21; 84 Resolution of the Board of Regents directing that and "Demonstrations Are Denounced by State Stu­ bers were more likely to support Nixon's decision. Rozman's contract not be renewed, Information dent Government Leader," Omaha World-Herald, Stock, interview by author. from Regents' Meeting of Feb. 6,1971, Rozman file. May 6, 1970,34. 64 "4500 Students at Nebraska Vote to Adopt 3-Day 85 Regents' resolution of Feb. 6,1971,3,6; "Report Boycott," Omaha World-Herald, May 6,1970,8. of Special Faculty Fact-finding Committee Re: 65 Marsha Bangert, "Coordinating Center," Daily Stephen Rozman Matter to the Board of Regents," Nebraskan, May 7, 1970, I. Feb. 1, 1971, "lnformation from Regents' Meeting of Feb. 6, 1971," 16, Rozman file. "In fact, ROTCfaculty participated, as did Presi­ dent Soshnik. SpellsCommission Report, 10. 86 "Report of Fact-finding Committee," 17; Soshnik, interview by author, Nov. 20, 1992;statement from 67 Dan Ladely and Phil Medcalf were two of the the "Special Faculty Fact-finding Committee Ap­ committee's members."Seven Students Head Strike pointed in Connection With the Stephen Rozman Committee," Daily Nebraskan, May 7,1970,3. Matter" to the Liaison Committee of the Faculty Sen­ 68 Spelts Commission Report, 9. ate concerning "The Regents' Resolution and Rel­ evant Recommendations from the Committee" 69 The estimated rally attendance was four to six [February 1971], 5-6,Rozman file. thousand, while fifteen thousand people watched the spring game. "More Fans Than Protestors," Daily 87 In addition to the four new Regents elected in Nebraskan, May 11, 1970,3. November 1970, Kermit Hansen was appointed by Governor Tiemann to replace a regent who resigned 70 Jan Parks, "University Meeting Monday," Daily to accept a position on the Republican National Nebraskan, May 11, 1970, I. Committee. Soshnik, interview by author. It should 71 Spelts Commission Report, 10·11. be added that Dr. Soshnik merely provided a fact upon which the author's interpretation is partially 72 Olson, interview by author. based. 73 John Dvorak, "Faculty Nixes Recess Plans," Daily Nebraskan, May 22,1970, I; Ladely, interview 88 "Appeal Lost By Rozman," Lincoln Star, Oct. 17, by author. 1972, I.

271