BROOKLYN COLLEGE
OF
THES Cilitay. UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
BROOKLYN. NEW YORK 11210

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

MEMORANDUM

To the college community

From the acting president
This is the text of the announcement I made earlier this morning:

I am about to make an announcement of vital importance to every
student and every staff member in Brooklyn College,

As you know, the past two weeks have brought a reign of vandalism.
property damage, and psychological terrorism to this campus. It is also no
news to you that on the campuses of other units of The City University dis-
orders have been even more wide-ranging and more destructive. ;

Chancellor Bowker has therefore directed me to request the New
York City Police Department to patrol the Brooklyn College campus. They
will serve to augment our own buildings and grounds security measures.
They have the authority to apprehend anyone observed by them committing
damage to property, assault against persons, or other individual illegal
acts. Only on my authority will they take action on other conduct that
disrupts the normal functions of the college.

Needless to say, it is with great reluctance that I have taken
this step. It is not so much because of the great destruction of property
as because of the continuing cost in human terms that stronger measures had
to be applied. There have been more than twenty-five incendiary incidents,
including six Molotov cocktails, as well as blockading of building exits at
the same time, which have endangered the lives of hundreds of individuals.

This cannot be permitted to continue.

It is my earnest hope that we shall now be able to resume our
proper business of educational service to the student body now enrolled,
as well as our plans to open up the opportunity for higher education at
the earliest possible moment to every high school graduate in New York City.
I want to make it absolutely clear that I am ready to resume discussions on
all possible means toward this end, and also on proposals to provide help
and recognition for large groups that remain in a state of grievous dis-
advantage in our society. Constructive steps can be taken as soon as the
designated representatives are able to present their views and their pro-
posals objectively, and without the threat of physical reprisal for honest
disagreement. These representatives include the duly elected spokesmen for
Black and Puerto Rican students, representatives of the student governments,
the four duly elected faculty representatives, and the administration.

With your cooperation I trust that this campus will soon become
again a place where the only protection needed will be the good sense and

good will of the whole campus community.