presipent’s NEWSLETTER

QUEENS COLLEGE OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK

Number 2 Apia T. 7.3 L969

TO THE QUEENS COLLEGE COMMUNITY:

What has been at stake throughout the many weeks of disturb-
ance on the campus and what is still at stake is the way in which the
College is to be run. This central issue has precipitated protests and
disruptions at Queens College since the spring of 1968.

The protestors want radical change to come about. [ favor
constructive change brought about in a democratic way. We are engaged
in change now--much more can be done.

There is a great need for a whole new system of student-faculty
participation in the running of the College. I will support, for example,
an academic Senate made up of students and faculty, including those without
tenure, if that is the will of this campus.

As we bring about change, we must do so in an atmosphere of reason.
In any change, I insist that the rights and freedoms of the entire commun-
ity be respected. To do otherwise will only result in the destruction of
the academic community.

We have all seen that continuous disruptive tactics force colleges,

which cannot police themselves, to invoke outside authority. There is
no other way to protect the rights of thousands of students, faculty, and
staff. Last week, for six days, students were pbavedcea from obtaining
vital financial aid or emergency loans; student payrolls were delayed;
student part-time employment services all but ended; no one could see

a counselor, take a placement test, or consult with staff about student

plans or activities. Every attempt to talk and negotiate with the


Issues and Recommendations

GOVERNANCE: As I have listened to students in the past, and partic-
ularly during the last few critical weeks, I have heard one consistent
message. Students want a larger voice in determining their own destinies.
They want a vote in the running of college affairs, not just a token vote,
but a real one. I agree that they should have it. I am looking forward
to a major expansion of the exercise of student responsibility in govern-
ing the College as a result of on-going cooperation between faculty and
students. I want this to come about very soon.

STUDENT COURT AND THE SUSPENSION OF THREE STUDENTS FOR CONTEMPT: It is
clear that the academic community must have the means to discipline
itself. This involves a judicial body that has the power to place
academic penalties upon its members. The present crisis arose when
certain students prevented sixty other students access to a General
Electric recruiter. I have come to realize that there is widespread
distrust and misunderstanding of the present student conduct procedures.
It is of utmost importance that the administration of justice be widely
regarded as fair and proper. To create this trust, we must move to
immediately establish a judicial system that will have the respect and
confidence of the entire community. Secondly, it has only recently been
brought to my attention that representatives of the student body never
voted on the campus rules governing peaceful protest. I believe that
students must have a share in formulating campus regulations and I urge
Student Government to act immediately on this and related matters. In
view of the need to review and establish fair judicial procedures, Dean
Pierson has agreed to withhold the charges.

RECRUITMENT: The question of recruitment on campus is an urgent one.
There has clearly been a division of opinion among students about recruit-
ment but the use of obstructive tactics to resolve this difference of
opinion is indefensible. Therefore, I have agreed to suspend all recruit-
ment for a reasonable length of time pending a student referendum to be
held within the next two weeks. The future policy on recruiting will be
determined by student vote. It should be reiterated that past policy
developed out of student-faculty recommendations, ratified by Student
Government as well as Faculty Council.

PROFESSOR SHEILA DELANY: Dr. Delany was not recommended for reappoint-
ment for 1969-70 by the Personnel and Budget Committee of the English
Department. Some persons believe that the reasons for her non-reappoint-
ment were essentially matters of personality and should not have affected
the decision. In the spirit of those who have requested a review of this
matter, I have asked for the formation of an impartial student-faculty
group to examine the facts and make their recommendations to the Queens
College Committee of the Board of Higher Education.

THE MAX-KAHN MEMORANDUM: This is a policy statement by the Board of
Higher Education setting forth the procedures to be followed in the
retention of faculty. Advantages, as well as disadvantages, have been
seen within its pages. I urge that this campus discuss this matter
widely and develop recommendations that I may convey to the Board of
Higher Education.

protestors who occupied the Social Sciences building and who physically
cut off these services to students failed. I was still hopeful, and it
was still within my power, even at 2:30 in the morning, to keep police
off campus. The protestors were urged to leave without penalty. Most
did so. Those who still refused left me no choice but to have them
arrested. I have no wish for vengeance, and I would like to plead
clemency in the courts and urge the courts to be lenient with them.

Inside these pages are some of the issues which have been at
the heart of current concerns as well as my recommendations to deal
equitably with these matters. We have the means to work them out. I
ask that we each involve ourselves deeply in the issues and in their
resolution. I hope, within my principles and the limits of my auth-
ority, to open up ways to bring about change. But I did not and could
not meet all of the demands of previous protestors and, similarly, I
cannot meet all of these demands. The larger implication is that this
is an attempt to impose a principle of solution by force which, as
noted by the American Civil Liberties Union, can only lead to the destruc-
tion of all freedoms.

We will not have anarchy. We can change, if you have the will
and self-discipline to help steer this college through the turmoil of

change without letting that turmoil destroy the institution.

That is what I ask of you.

wen f
i ana President