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SB
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1970
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA
VOL. 94, N. 30
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MJOU
Davis says Regents 6badly informed'
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Michael
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'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