NCJ Number
82210
Date Published
1969
Length
268 pages
Annotation
Hearings before the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations examine the nature and causes of recent student disorders on the Stanford University and Harvard University campuses, and university response to the disorders is explained and analyzed.
Abstract
Testimony was presented by students, subcommittee staff, and university professors and administrators. Causes for the disorder were generally identified as opposition to national policy on defense and the Vietnam War, the socioeconomic system viewed as spawning racism and poverty, and the unwillingness of university administrations to permit student involvement in the management of the university. Student testimony presented the perspective of moderate students who desire to work for constructive social change within an orderly but effective framework, as opposed to the use of the intimidating and illegal actions that have been taken by more radical students, notably those associated with the Students for a Democratic Society. Much of the testimony criticized the abusive, illegal, and sometimes violent tactics of the students, which significantly disrupted university educational and research programs. Witnesses traced the events of student disorder on the Stanford and Harvard campuses and explained university response. University officials expressed a reluctance to use police force to dispel student protests because of the possibility of aggravating the conflict between students and the administration and bringing student moderates to a more radical position. Efforts have been made to communicate with the protesters and establish channels for expressing grievances. Some of the members of the subcommittee expressed the view that a hard-line approach should be taken against the protesters, including the denial of Federal student loans to them. Various exhibits are included.