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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 6, 1970)
-i urn ttre SB FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1970 LINCOLN, NEBRASKA VOL. 94, N. 30 pnpn MJOU Davis says Regents 6badly informed' i 'i feVrf i 1 lit Ai.i'X - Michael i m ,iii i rn -iia.nii,,, I " '' T n . i ,.u, 'Sni-ii 'It is not advocacy explains Magrath "It Is not a course in homosexuality; it Is a course about many of the problems and Issues associated with homosexuality." That Is how C. Peter McGrath, dean of faculties, described the University's controversial new course in homophile studies to the Ex periment Station and Extension Conference Thursday. He explained that the course did not advocate homosexuali ty. Instead, according to Magrath, it is designed to "analyze objectively and scientifically the many pro blems, social and psychological, political and human, associated with homosexuality in America to day." lie said the first objective was to increase understanding of the "problems and Issues surrounding homosexuality." Magrath noted that students planning careers as clinical psychologists, clergymen, doc tors, lawyers, police, probation officers and social workers would partlclarly benefit from the study. He also said that he hopes the course will "bring accurate In lid i Davis formation and understanding to mature students about a serious social Issue.' The homophile course Is only open to Juniors and above, ex cept by special permission. Magrath emphasized that it is an elective and not required for any degree. He also listed the qualifications of the professors and visiting lecturers, ca'.lkvg them an "Impressive catalog of mature academic and medical talent." He cited three reasons why homophile studies are a valuable addition to Nebraska's curriculum: First, tha homosexual Issue is becoming important. It is discussed In newspapers and magazines, dealt with in movies and is beginning to figure in law and EDlitics. Magrath said the pro lem must be studied academically so it can be faced intelligently. . His second reason was that national'y distinguished doctors and scholars have called on education to take a role in the study and understanding of homosexuality. Third, Magrath noted that although the issue deserves study by doctors, it is a turn to page 4 by GARY SEACREST Nebraskan Staff Writer Michael Davis bearded, spectacled and slight framed, spoke calmly at a press con ference Thursday about his re jection as a philosophy in structor by the NU Board of Regents. Sporting a sweater and tie, Davis took off his shoes while he answered newsmen's questions. . Only last month the Board of Regents, in a letter outlining the reasons why they rejected Davis, called the University of Michigan teaching fellow "intellectually arrogant and lacking in tact, objectivity and judgment." Making his first appearance at the University since his ap pointment was blocked by the Board in August, Davis said, "My impression is that the Regents so far have not been malevolent, but badly inform ed." Ho told newsmen that if there had been no disturbances on the Lincoln campus last May he would have probably been hired. "I have not been involved in any disruption on campus," Davis added. "I don't think any administrator in Michigan lives is terror that I will do anything." Calling the Regents research of his background "sloppy" and "misinformed," Davis criticiz ed the Board for not carefully checking their information and doing research on his background after his appoint ment had been rejected. "My Impression is that it (being rejected) was due to my Davis: Universities in by MICK MORIARTY Nebraskan Staff Writer "The American university, the whole structure of institu tions of higher learning, is now In deep crisis," Michael Davis told over 700 persons Thursday night in the Nebraska Union. After thanking the crowd for giving him the chance to speak, Davis said, "However much weight we give individual pieces of evidence, we all como to the same conclusion: American universities are In trouble, deep trouble." Universities are involved in civil war, Davis continued. "Administration, faculty and students are in a three-sided fight." He charged that the issues Involved in this "civil war" change quickly and form no pattern, going from ROTC to university budgeting to racism. "What doesn't change is that each issue produces a division within the university itself, and political views and political activities," remarked the soft speaking Davis. "It was disap pointing because it was my understanding that the Regents had a good record on academic freedom." Davis said that it was "very likely" that he would ask for restitution from the University. He estimated that not being hired cost him $5,000 since the Regents' decision in August took him out of the job market for a year. However, he added that he didn't think being re jected by the NU Regents would hurt his chance to get another job. The local chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) has forwarded his complaint of the Regents' decision to the AAUP national office. But the Michigan teaching fellow said the national AAUP office is "overloaded and won't get around to my case for a long time because they have more important cases." Admitting that he favored mediation with the Regents, Davis said he doesn't plan to take any legal action regarding his case. "I don't believe in lawsuits for damage of character," he added. Davis said Thursday that it was important to discuss all the issues concerning his case so that if there was a mistake in procedure or policy, the Regents' precedent would not spread to other campuses or affect future applicants apply ing at NU. no matter what the politics of members of the various camps the division is Uwas between those camps," Davis said. "The university has in this decade become what the factory was between 1890 and 1940, the major center of social conflict, society's most con vulsed institution," he asserted. Davis, a University of Michigan teaching fellow, was rejected as a philosophy In structor by the Nebraska Regents in August. In his address Davis also discussed new laws being What's Entertainment Magic Bus Sports Defending academic freedom and political action by faculty members, Davis noted, "Democracy does not end at the border of the campus. If certain rights exist on O St. they should also exist on the campus." Davis, who was active in the University of Michigan student government, said he was surprised at being rejected because at Michigan he was considered "a left-wing moderate." Asked if he knew University Chancellor D. B. Varner, who initially pointed Davis' name out to the Regents, Davis replied, "I never met Chan cellor Varner. But I was honored that he knew of me." After Davis was rejected in August, University Regent Edward Schwartzkopf said that 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 recom mend someone to be hired." Asked about Schwartzkopf's comment, Davis remarked, "My girl friend thought I was a transvestite." The Michgian teaching fellow showed little bitterness toward the NU Regents Thursday and said they are of "higher caliber" than most regents at other universities. But he said that the University Regents did not have enough courage to reverse their decision and hire him. "It would have been nice to teach here," he said. trouble passed to counteract student unrest. Referring to the lawmakers, he said, "They are reacting to what they take to be priests committing sacrilege In the temple. These new laws are, for the most part, aimed, however clumsily, at main taining order on campus." "Governor Reagan has already begun trying to purge faculty too involved In leftist political activities on California's campuses. And similar considerations may Turn to page I Inside Pages 8-9 rage 5 Pages 10-11