Regents dirty laundry
Regent Edward Schwartzkopf was quoted in the
Omaha World Herald Aug. 20 as saying University
administrators, in reviewing a man to be hired, "had
better take a look to be sure his skirts are as
clean as possible before they recommend someone
. to be hired."
His remarks referred to Michael Davis, a pre-doc-toral
fellow and instructor from the University of
Michigan whose nomination to the Philosophy Depart
ment faculty had just been blocked by a vote of
the Board of Regents.
Regent Schwartzkopf continued to say the Regents
had not questioned Davis' professional ability but that
"there were circumstances about his social conduct
we didn't approve of." Later he said the Regents
had "received information which alerted us, so we
kept working on it."
Davis wrote to the Regents, requesting "specific,
complete evidence and reasons" , why he was not
hired. The Regents' reply was that their action "was
not based upon any specific charge or compalint
made by any person or institution." This contradicts
Regent Schwartzkopf s statement that the Regents were
acting on information they had received.
Later in the Regents' letter it was stated the
Board was not convinced he possessed the qualifica
tions which it desired. The difficulty here is that
the Board is not clear about what they mean by
"qualifications."
Regent Schwartzkopf admitted the Board had not
disputed Davis's "professional ability." Dr. Robert
E. Dewey, Chairman of the Philosophy Department
stated that academically, Davis was "top notch" and
"a cut above" the other applicants the department
had interviewed.
Many students and faculty have withheld com
ment on the matter, hoping the Regents had informa
tion others were not privy to as the Board had
indicated. In the World Herald article, Dfran of Arts
and Sciences Dr. Mel via George was quoted as saying,
"I can only assume the Board had access to informa
tion which neither Bob (Dr. Dewey) nor I had seen."
We can no longer assume this is the case. In
response to a request for specific reasons from rhe
man they had turned down, the Board responded
with vague and insufficient answers. If their disagree
ment was on "social conduct" as Schwartzkopf said,
then they must state the criteria they used. We cannot
accept their division without knowing the basis for
it.
If as Schwartzkopf said, administrators "must read
the road signs more carefully ... as they travel down
the road of hiring personnel . . .", then they must
be told what the road signs are. Otherwise, we are
operating in a vacuum where decisions can be based
on w him or prejudice.
The implications are sobering . . . choice based
on undefined "social'' reasons cuts at the quick of
academic and social freedom. A person could be
penalized for his beliefs and actions even though
he expressed them in an entirely legal manner. Such
action would bring discredit to the University and
the Rege-nts.
Davis has stated he will request that the American
Association of University Professors investigate the
matter. Based on the fact that no specific reasons
were given for denying Davis' appointment, it is possi
ble that the AAUP would decide to blacUlst the
University. A few years ago, such an action would
have caused a large exodus of respected faculty from
"NU. Given the. depressed state of the economy, it
is doubtful that many of the faculty would leave,
but (he black-listing would be n stain on the University
and could cuuse ill effects in the future.
The Board of Regents has the right to review
all appointments to the faculty and to block those
it wants to. Hut with tl.ls right goes the responsibility
to (he university and to the people of the state that
the uctions of the Board are responsible and based
on sound, fair reasoning.
Therefore, the "Nebraskan" asks the Board of
IUen(s to justify the faith placed in it by the people
of Nebraska by stating the reasons It denied the
appointment of Michael Davis.
THE NEBRASKAN
Telephones: Editor: 42.-588, Business: 472 J5OT, News: 7J-2S0. Second class
po';tayt pdid al Lincoln, Neb.
Subscription rales are 5 per semester or U.JO per year. Published Monday,
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday during lha school yaar except during vaca
tions and exam periods. Member of tha Intercollegiate Prats, National Educe-
lional Advertising Service.
7 he Nebraskan Is a student publication. Independent of Ihe University of Neb
raska's administration, toculty and student government.
Address: The Nebraskan
34 Nebraska Union
University of Nebiaska
Lincoln, Nebraska eSSUi
Kdllorlal Staff
Editor: Kelly Baker Managing Editor; Connie Winkler) News Editor: Bill
Smitlierman; Sports Editors: Jim Johnson and Roger Rife; Nebraskan Staff
Wr Iters: Gary Seacrest,' John Dvorak, Mick Morlarty, Bruce Wlmmer, Dave
Brink, Steve Stressor, Sue Senator, Steve Kedel, Pal McTee, Carol Goetschlusi
Photojjrrtphors: Dan Ladely, Mike Haymam Entertainment Editor: Prod Eisem
hart; Lost Campus Editor: Linda Ulrlchi Literary Editor: Alan Boyet Newt
Assijfrtnt: Marsha Bangert; Copy Editors: Laura Partsch, Jim Oray, Warren
Obr, Plythe Erickson,- Night News Editor: Tom Laniwwth; Night New
Assistant; MotI'I Bandiow.
Cover
it t. .
your flanks!
by GENE BARRY
I don't have an umbrella.
Now, I don't mind the
thought of getting wet, but the
threat of being buffeted by a
throng of class-goers carrying
lethal weapons on sticks was
frightening on my first day of
class.
I stepped into the street
cautiously. And there they
were, all of them carrying the
one item I had sold in a fit of
drought panic in September of
my freshman year. (That
signaled the start for the five
day floods of 1967.)
The alarm had gone off at
seven that morning and I
already felt defeated. But, I
managed to survive with only
minor injuries and two col
lisions. I was accosted by a demure
chick who, by her dress, was
probably associated with the
Women's Lib movement. Her
umbrella blocked my view of
her as well as her view of her
path.
Obviously unnerved when I
politely told her "watch
yourself" as she approached a
mud puddle, she looked quickly
down at the zipper of her bell
bottom levis and walked
straight Into the puddle. ; ' "
At any rate, the prettiest
parasol of the day had a spine
without equal for its ability to
commit crimes against my
body. Perhaps I could be ac
cused of passing on the wrong
side, but according to the rules
on defensive walking ... Ah,
well. ....
When an umbrella is placed
over the prized head
owner, an incredible
happens. The owner ' Im
mediately consumes 147 per
cent more space than normal.
He is also given god-like pro
tection (or oblivion) from the
torrential monsoon season that
descends each September.
With the space problem
created by these devices it
seems logical that the
University, on rainy days,
should either open more
sidewalks or revoke about half
of the 147 percent. This would
work out to 73 xk percent, a
good round number.
Well, this is almost enough.
You probably want to know just
where I received my major in
juries. It was in the most
vulnerable place a man could
be hit, the place where it hurts
the most It was indeed slightly
to the left side and directly in
front of the Love Library
mail.
Please, all of you who have
one, remember:
I dont have an umbrella.
of .fa
thing
In. Concert
ThursScpt.24
8 p.m.
UofN Coliseum
$&00 advance - m
Ticket sales begm ScptM in Nebr. Union
iN6 chairs
Public invited
..mt.d by ,h N'k. IWon Ccoct Comm
ff
PAGE 4
THE DAILY NEBRASKAN
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1970