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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 20, 1969)
1 .X Students organize on visitation issue Mass meetings in living units are planned for Thursday evening to decide an a reaction to the Board of Regents' most recent rejection of coed visitation. "The whole game is in the hands of the students," emphasized ASUN President Bill Chaloupka. "The issue of coed visitation and the reaction to the Regent's action must be decided by students." At a meeting Monday, the Regents reaffirmed their policy against coed visitation, despite questioning by several graduate students. The Board, according to Richard L. Herman of Omaha, should make the decision, since they are the elected representatives of Nebraska voters. Chaloupka and other student leaders feel the Regents have pre-empted the THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, .. - i .J , . t I W-vJ If 'v' ! Dr. Russel Brown explains that items found during an unauthor ized search cannot be used for University disciplinary action. Adkins declines comment on nondiscrimination policy The President of the University Board of Regents declined Wednesday to com ment on a policv statement enacted by the Council on Student Life (CSL) in its Tuesday meeting. The policy forbids discrimination in University rules and regulations because of race, creed or sex. Several CSL members have Interpreted the resolution to mean that women's hours can now be abolished at the initiative of in dividual living units. '69 Buzz Book delayed in mail The 19G9 Buzz Book published annu ally by Builders has been delayed in the mail, according to Builders' presi dent Barb Ramsey. ) The information is completed and has been sent to Texas where the books are printed. They were scheduled to arrive last week, but Miss Ramsey has not yet received them. "They should be In any day," she said. "Maybe even tomorrow." Agronomists lake atvards MemWj of 'H University of Nebras ka Agronomy Club received top awards in recent n-it'on''! competition. Charles Havlicek placed third in the National Speech Contest. He is chairman of that contest for next year. Third place in the National Essay Contest was awarded to James Reeder. The NU club's adviser. Dr. William L Colvillo, received the National Agronomy Educa tion award. mandate of the Council on Student Life by negating coed visitation. "This issue should first go through the CSL," Chaloupka said. "In effect," he continued, "The Regents are saying 'no' to coed visitation without permitting discussion or waiting for the CSL to act." This is not just an issue of coed visitation, he stressed, adding that if this decision is allowed to go un challenged, it will be a serious blow to student participation in decision-mak-aig. Chaloupka criticized the Regents' Monday action as "one of their most severe actions taken in years." The ASUN President, and Inter Dormitory Association President Theresa Sledge, have contacted all dormitory 1969 f i J ' f 1.7 1 J ' "I haven't seen the act, I know nothing of it," said Richard Adkins. The Board of Regents, in their charge to the Council, said the CSL has power in areas of student nonacademic and social life. The Regents have reserved the power to review any CSL enactments. Although the CSL has met and adopted policy statements on three occasions, the Regents have yet to review any of those statements. Adkins said he did not know if the Regents would want to review the non discrimination policy approved by the CSL Tuesday. "This is highly problematic," he com mented. "Each case would have to be judged on its merits." Adkins emphasiz ed that he could not speak for the six member Board. When asked how the Regents will decide what Is reviewed, Adkins said, "You're dealing in very hypothetical situations there. It would be pretty tough to say." Adkins also refused to say if several University graduate students had gone outside regular channels in discussing the coed visitation issue before the Regents meeting Monday. The grad students sought a limited coed visitation policy from the Regents. Regent Richard L. Herman of Omaha said, however, that this decision must be made by the Hoard of Regents, who are elected by Nebraska voters. "The graduate students' request came hroug'i Vice Chancellor G. Robert Ross's office." Adkins said. "That's all I know." The Regent President also refused to say if the Board of Regents would review or veto a coed visitation enact ment, if such legislation were approved by the CSL. "It's very difficult to say on that," Adkins said. "I'd have to see It first before commenting." si presidents. Floor meetings were held Wednesday, and Thursday evening meetings are planned for all dorms. . At 11 p.m. Thursday, a meeting of all concerned student leaders will be held in the Harper Lounge to formulate the final course of action. According to Chaloupka and Miss Sledge, there are several courses open to students: Students can drop the entire Issue; Students can take a stand backing any legislation passed by the CSL; Students can ask the CSL to approve a coed visitation policy, attempt to challenge the Board of Regents, if that body vetoes the CSL action; Students can demonstrate or hold a n illegal visitation. The question is, are students concern o 8 Did LINCOLN, .NU search and seizure explained by housing by Bill Smitherman Nebraskan Staff Writer 'Discussion of University search and seizure policy with administration of ficials dominated the ASUN Senate meeting Wednesday. University Housing director Ely Meyerson told the senate that the hous ing office has established policy guidelines for residence halls with regard to searching rooms. The Housing Office wants to maximize student privacy in dormitory rooms, he said. Meyerson added that the only time University officials may enter a student's room without a search warrant is if there is clear evidence of possible danger to human life or possible damage occurring to University property. The University also enters rooms at prescribed times to check for necessary maintenance work, he said. However, students are informed of these main tenance Inspections at least a week before they occur. Lottery approved The United States Senate gave final approval Wednesday to the lottery draft and sent the measure to the White House. The bill, which had already been ap proved by the House, was passed by voice vote. Democratic floor leader Mike Mansfield cast the only negative vote against the draft reform. Passage of the lottery in this session of Congress had seemed doubtful until last week when liberal senators who favor more thorough draft reform an nounced they would not seek amendments to the bill. Sen. John Stennis, D-Miss., chairman af the Armed Services Committee, refused to send the measure to the floor unless guaranteed the bill would not be altered. The lottery system will subject 19-year-olds and college graduates with expired deferments to possible con scription for one year. The existing Selective Service law sets susceptibility for as long as six years. The random system will operate through a drawing of the dates of the year and the selection of men by local draft boards in the order the date is drawn. The lottery system will probably go into effect on Feb. 1. Wright: Racial gap by Gary Seacre st Nebraskan Start Writer The gap between Blacks and whites in the United States has not been closed in the last twenty years according to one of the nation's foremost experts on urban and racial affairs. Dr. Nathan Wright, professor of Urban Affairs and Afro-American studies at the University of New York at Albany, said Wednesday night in a speech at St. Paul Methodist Church that contrary to popular beliefs the condition of Blacks relative to whites has become worse,, "Everytlme a Black takes a step forward in progress. White America takes three or four steps forward." Wright contends that Blacks have suf fered a regression In levels of income In the last twenty years compared with whites. He also said, there was more racial and school segregation In America In 1969 than in 1950. To correct this situation, Wright states there ought to be a reexamination of the concept of equality in the United States. "Black people are not guests, but citizens in the life of this nation," Wright said. "However, education and hard work will not insure black people of ed enough to do something? Chaloupka said. No one can be certain of the intensity of student support. "Quite often students just pass off the situation and assume that the Regents will step on our toes," Chaloupka said. "If students act, this does not have to be so. We can change these policies if we get out and show them what we think." Miss Sledge feels that dormitory students are concerned about their right of self-determination as well as the coed visitation issue. This is an opportune time to act, she added. At this point, she said, there are some dormitory residents who ere more aware than others about the situation. Inform ing all students should be the major task. When students are fully informed NEBRASKA Meyerson said that staff members have been informed of these guidelines. At other than these times, a room may be entered only by the proper of ficer with the authority of a search warrant, he said. "There is no official University policy on search and seizure other than these guidelines", according to Dr. Russell Brown, Associate Dean of Student Af fairs. "However, the Interdormitory Association and the Housing Policy Committee both have this item on their upcoming agendas." Senator Randy Prier asked if these guidelines were in effect when one stu dent who was subsequently suspended was found to have marijuana in his room. The room was searched without a warrant. Meyerson answered that at the time of the case Prier mentioned, the guidelines stated that University officials could enter a student's room if they suspected a felony was being committed. This guideline has since been changed, he added. Brown commented that Hems found during a search that is not authorized cannot be used as grounds for University disciplinary action. If the room is entered for one of the reasons outlined in the guidelines, items found are also not grounds for University action, he said. "There are legal precedents that authorize University officials to enter dormitory rooms on their own authority", Brown continued. "However, I don't think we should enter rooms except when there is clear indication of damage or danger, and we're not going to." "Is it necessary for the University to duplicate state law," senator Nancy Ryan questioned. "Is it fair that students be punished both by civil authorities and the University?" Meyerson answered that students should be accountable only to civil authorities in criminal cases except when ' the University is put in danger by the person's actions. Prier questioned whether a marijuana conviction which is judged a misde meanor by the state should be grounds for suspension by the University. "No. If it's just a case of a student blowing grass in his dorm room one time when I don't think it is," Meyerson answered. Brown said that the University has an educational responsibility to the stu dent beyond the classroom. Student behavior is an appropriate concern for University officials, he added. social and economic advancement. Where ever any Black stands today ' depends on the caprice of the whites." The former clergyman stressed that the inherent system of America, not individual prejudice or racism, Is op pressing Blacks. To solve the racial crisis, essential respect for human life must be established in human relations, according to Wright. The professor opposed what he called "the prevailing uncivilized government assumption that cities are either physical fabric or some nebulous social structure." "Cities are not basically physical fabrics as planners have assumed, but cities are people. If we are going to have any kind of urban renewal we will have to begin with human renewal." Wright said the wrong kind of people are doing the urban planning in America. He contended that social scientists and planners, not engineers, should do urban planning. He uiid "Black social scientists should be leading the urban planning in cities because of their personal and technical knowledge." Black scholars must be brought to there will be some action taken. Chaloupka agreed. As part of the information process, mimeographed information sheets con taining a reprint of the newspaper arti cle on the coed visitation decision were distributed in all dormitory cafeterias Wednesday evening. More information will be given our Thursday evening. The statement of the Regents" . . . is a clear denial of student rights and personal freedoms," the article said. "Unchallenged authority of the Regents will remain absolute unless questioned by students," it concludes. Chaloupka is also hopeful that residence hall floors will discuss the situation individually. As many con cerned students as possible should attend the dormitory meeting, he said. "I personally applaud the three point program, presented by Meyerson and Brown," senator Dave Landis said. He added that he hoped ASUN senate would be notified of any further changes in search and seizure policy. A resolution by Landis was passed calling for ASUN to appoint a student to any committee concerned with in tegrating the Cotner College of Religion more closely with the University of Nebraska. The resolution also provided for the establishment of such a committee if one does not exist. Landis explained that the Cotner College is a highly accredited institution. It is not concerned with the study of denominational theology, but with an in terdenominational study of religion, he said. He said that though some credits are now transferable to the University, the policy is not consistent in the different colleges. The committee could determine what University group requirements may be Police depts. mark areas of jurisdiction The Nebraska campus is not a no man's land to local law enforcement agencies. The Lincoln Police Department does have jurisdiction on campus. Conversely, the campus police, as a state com missioned agency, have the power of arrest over the entire state. But, the departments have an arrangement of "prior jurisdiction," ac cording to Chief of campus police, Cap tain Gail Gade. "The campus police carries on all investigations and police matters on campus," Gade explained, "and solicits help from the city when it would pro bably directly affect them." Lieutenant Melvin Dorn of the Lincoln Police Department agreed the city force delegates authority on the university to the campus police. Dorn added, "If there was a riot or something big, we'd answer any request for aid from the University." The chief of the campus police noted that Lincoln City Police officers cooperate with his department whenever dealing within the University's borders. "Anyone from the Lincoln police will widens the front as the nation's best and cur rently unused resource for rebuilding every aspect of urban life according to Wright. He cited education as one area where Blacks are desperately needed. "All institutions work inherently against human fulfillment, said Wright, "because no society ever allows any movement to persist unless it professes to be moral and uphold the values of the existing society. Our institutions have shown flexibility not to facilitate change, but to preserve the existing in stitutions." The professor said the oppressed Blacks in America must become the agents of recreation and redemption in the society. He said Blacks can never be liberated unless they end the element that is oppressing them. However, he said he was against revolution in any form. Wright said "white power" Is needed to help solve the urban and racial crisis. "Whites, before they ask B 1 a c k i what they can do to help, should go out and educate other whites on their oppressive practices." "We'll find out In the next few days how wide-spread the support is," Chaloupka said. "If only a tenth of the residence hall students show up at the meetings, for instance, then we'll know there is no concern." The ASUN President is confident there will be sufficient support In the residence halls. Chaloupka has lived in the dormitories during his four years at NU. "We're not trying to put together a confrontation," he siad. "We're not in terested in taking over buildings. We are just concerned about the rights of students to have control of their own living environment." The whole thrust is toward the students residing in the living units, Chaloupka repeated. "If students are interested they will act." i VOL. 93, NO. 37 I policies director filled by Cotner courses, Landis said. It could also provide for the study of Hebrew at the college to count toward University language requirements. Also, the committee could arrange for the transfer of Cotner grades to University transcripts, rather than just credits. Perhaps, it could arrange for the College to be taken in by the University as a department, Landis ad ded. A resolution introduced by Prier called for the ASUN Communications Com mittee to establish a schedule of forums where students would be able to question ASUN senators. Included was the pro vision that a senator who missed a forum for which he was scheduled would be considered as having missed a regular senate meeting. The ASUN constitution states that any senator who misses more than three regular senate meetings without good excuse automatically loses his senate seat. After some discussion and one vote which was contested on technical grounds, the motion was withdrawn. stop at our office and one of our officers will accompany him while on campus," Gade explained. Gade emphasized that neither agency Ignores their secondary territorial range. He explained that a crime in one of the two off-campus bookstores would normally be handled by the city police, but the University police would In vestigate if they were asked. Coruhusker robbery The recent Cornhusker Office robbery, Gade continued, falls under campus law enforcement jurisdiction. "We'll carry on all the Investigation of this crime," said Gade. "The Lincoln force has been alerted and will keep an eye out for suspects off campus." Lieutenant Dorn of the Lincoln Police said that his department offered all their equipment to the University to help the investigation. He added that suspects will be referred to the campus police. Gade said that the thief, when ap prehended, will be referred to the Office of Student Affairs. That office, Gade explained, will determine whether charges will be drawn up and the person sent to County Court. Comments Gade had particular comments con cerning an article which appeared in the Daily Nebraska November 6. The article, a satire on police jurisdic tion over a stolen car, was based on an actual Incident concerning a university student's automobile. "Three-fourths of that article Is Incor rect," said Gade. "This person in that article, David Cutberth, doesn't even exist. There's no one from this University under that name." "We do know whose car was stolen, however," Gade continued. "The article reads like the owner of the car made it up." Gade admitted that one point In the article was correct. "The Lincoln police didn't have the responsibility to fingerprint the auto," said Gade. "That was our responsibility." Gade added that at the time of the incident the university police department had no facilities for fingerprinting. But, Gade said, the campus police now has adequate fingerprinting equipment Lieutenant Dorn agreed that the cam pus officers were responsible for the investigation of the auto even though it was found off campus. But, Dorn said, the fingerprinting could have been done by either depart ment. "Either they could have done It," said Dorn, "or the Lincoln police coulc' have done it if we were asked." 4 t