The Liason Committee
Only Whetted Appetites
The Faculty Liason Committee has put
itself in the unenviable position of not being
able to satisfy anyone, not even its committee
members. During a two hour session Tuesday
the committee played the role of unwilling
coquette possessed of highly desired in
formation that it was not permitted to divulge.
The committee had studied the Regents'
action concerning the case of Michael Davis,
a graduate from Michigan whose appointment
to the Nebraska faculty was blocked by the
Board. They addressed themselves to the ques
tions of whether or not academic freedom had
been violated and what standards should be
used in the future "to determine whether ap
pointments recommended by the faculty are
approved by the Board."
One of the most unfortunate aspects of
the entire affair is that Michael Davis has
never been given the opportunity to confront
the Board or respond to objections that have
been raised. Indeed, these objections have
never been specified, even in the Board's
response to Davis request for "specific and
concrete" reasons.
It was the opinion of the Liason Commit
tee that the Board acted in an area where
reasonable men can differ but it is important
to keep in mind the fact that Davis was re- ,
hired as a graduate instructor when his ap
pointment at Nebraska was blocked less
than a month before school began. Though,
as Dr. Levine pointed out, Davis was rehired
as a graduate assistant and not as a member
of the faculty who would be presumed to
eventually earn tenure. Perhaps the admini
strators and faculty at Michigan are not aware
of Davis' defects or this may be a case where
reasonable men did differ.
The Liason Committee was apprised of
the Regents' reasons only when they gave their
word that the confidence would be reipected.
They are now in the same position as iie man
who says that he has a letter from te Presi
dent which tells him everything but he's not
permitted to show it to anyone. Tuese men
have their letters from the President but the
important difference is that they "are not in
complete agreement with the decision of the
Regents." ...
Two weeks ago the Nebraskan called
upon the Board of Regents to divulge its rea
sons for rejection Davis. The Nebraskan now
urges the ASUN Senate in its meeting this
afternoon to ask the same of the Board as
should the Faculty Senate when it meets next
week.
The Liason Committee, in a roundabout
fashion, called for the same action by the
Board when it stated, "In the last analysis
only the Board of Regents can make known
the basis of their action. We urge them, in
the interest of clarity, to reconsider their re
luctance to do so." The Nebraskan urges the
Board, not in the interest of clarity or prac
ticality, but in the interest of truth and fair
ness, to make known their reasons.
THE NEBRASKAN
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Adoresi The Nebraska
34 Nebraska Union
U.tiverslty of Nebraska ' .
Lincoln. Nebraska X9
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! I
More residential classes
by JIM PEDERSEN
In an attempt to improve the
quality of residential and
educational life for students in
the University's high-rise
dorms, certain faculty, ad
ministrators and housing of
ficials are working on a plan to
hold classes in the dormitories
second semester. Unfortunate
ly, hesitant faculty and
apathetic students may allow
the plan to founder.
DESPITE THESE problems,
some classes will probably be
held In the high-rise complexes.
But the number of classes and
the success of the program
depends on the interest shown
by both students and faculty
members in the next two
weeks.
The proposal would, for In
stance, move multi-sectional
classes from Burnett Hal to
Abel 4 lounge. The classes
would include everything from
economics to English to math
to finance. Faculty and
THE NEBRASKAN
students should become in
volved intellectually, carrying
their interest beyond the hour
of class. Ideally, the result
would be that faculty hold of
fice hours In the dorms and
students rap on an Informal
basis.
THE LOGISTICS of ad
ministering the proposal may
cause students some inconve
nience. The sessions would
necessitate students giving up
the lounges as recreation areas
for two or so hours a day. It
would also mean adjusting to
the presence of mixed groups
on the upper floors during the
day in both men's and women's
dorms. Such Inconveniences,
however, are far outweighed by
the educational stimulation.
"In the words of one faculty
member: "The advantages of
this proposal are that it costs
next to nothing, it takes the
curriculum as it is, and it
permits Immediate
demonstration of the
University's concern for the
academic and residential
quality of undergraduate life."
IT IS IMPORTANT now that
students decide whether and in
what they are interested, and
communicate this interest to
Dean Walter Bruning.
Furthermore, it la Important
that faculty display an interest
in this exciting experiment.
All this must be done if the size
of the program is to even ap
proximate trie 70 classes that
have been suggested, Instead of
the meager twelve which now
appear likely. It must happen
before mid-October when Uie
printing of the second semester
bulletin would make further
innovation impossible.
STUDENTS AND FACULTY
have the opportunity to make a
significant improvement in the
intellectual life of the
University. Hopefully, both
groups will take advantage of
this opportunity.
PAGE 4
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1970
