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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 8, 1971)
R ozman: victim or villain "Rozman was made a sacrificial lamb to appease the gods down 15th St."A Student. "I would have liked to see more conclusive evidence that Rozman was an active leader (in the May occupation of the ROTC Building) before I endorse the Regents' action. "-A faculty member. Whether they agree or disagree with the Regents action to fire Stephen L. Rozman-and more seem to oppose it than not-persons in the University community believe action taken against Stephen L. Rozman Saturday is of considerable significance to the N. U. There's a "deep sense of frustration" among ASUN leaders due to the Board of Regents' decision to fire Rozman. commented John Humlicek, ASUN second vice president. "Students who have been concerned with the Rozman case saw a lot going down the drain Saturday, " he continued. Steve Fowler, an ASUN senator, linked the Regents decision with the State Legislature. He Thinks the Regents are trying to improve their image with state senators by refusing to renew Rozmans contract, which expires Aug. 31. The decision to fire Rozman "set a serious precedent in limiting academic freedon.'" concluded Fowler. "I cannot accept the conclusion of the report of the special faculty committee that Prof. Rozman was not guilty of inappropriate actions," said John Braeman, professor ot history. But judging what are inappropriate actions is "a matter on which reasonable men can and do disagree.'" Braeman said Rozman's insistence on remaining in I lie ROTC building last May 5 after President Joseph Soshnik ordered withdrawal was inappropriate but added: "I do not believe that an individual should be penalized ex posto facto for actions-even those I regard as inappropriate-in the absence of clear-cut guidelines that such behavior was misconduct subject to punishment." An assistant professor of Fnglish, David Beauregard, believes the Regents acted in "the common interest of the University." "Beauregard, who calls himself a conservative, questioned the composition of the Faculty Senate Fact-Finding Committee headed by Henry F. Holtzclaw, foundation professor of chemistry. Beauregard labeled it "a rather liberal thing." He explained that he might differ with the committee in the definition of academic freedom. "Academic freedom to me doesn't mean that you can do anything or say anything," he said. "A liberal might defend anyone, even someone who was incompetent or irrational.." "I don't believe that Rozman didn't act inappropriately simply on the inability of the committee to find any witnesses," he said. Another faculty member, David Levine, professor and chairman of the department of psychology, said: "I can't understand how the Board of Regents could ao anything so unjust." "The facts don't give any reason to fire him," said Levine, a 1 5 year veteran of the University. He also stated that Rozman's actions were not "inappropriate" and refused to speculate on what basis the Regents decided not to re-hire Rozman. "Frankly, I don't want to attribute any motives to the Regents because I can't think of any good ones," he commented. Levine called the Regents action a mistake which is "probably against the law,"Levine continued. "I hope Professor Rozman will sue the Board for damages and every law they've broken." Levine would like the faculty to vote to censure the Regents for their action, but he said he has no definite plans at this time for Dursuine the idea The chairman of the select faculty committee that spent part of December and all of January studying the case, Holtzclaw. said he and the other four committee members recognize tne right ot the Board of Regents to hire or not hire teachers. "But the committee made a thorough investigation and we do not feel that the events justified a non-reappointment," he commented. The Holtzclaw committee had a private meeting Sunday afternoon and another is scheduled for Monday evening. Some type of statement is expected to be released after the Monday meeting. The real concern of the committee if the lack of due process in regards to hiring and firing of faculty members, he commented. "The com mil tee made a thorough investigation and spent an awful lot of time studying this case," he said. "And we are all disappointed." Regent President Robert Raun of Minden said the Board rejected the findings of the Holtzclaw Committee, although the faculty members were commendable in their efforts. It is up to the Regents to pass judgment in the Rozman case, he said. And "we haven't taken our responsibilities lightly," he added. Rozman fights on . . . Continued from page 1 respected members of the faculty have reached such a conclusion compels the Board to state that even though Dr. Rozman has stated that he believed that he was acting in the best interests of the University during the Military and Naval Science Building occupation, his actions in refusing to leave the Military and Naval Science Building when directed to do so by the administration and in refusing to cooperate with the administration efforts to secure the evacuation of the building after it had been determined on the morning of May 5 1970, that the action of the students had become disruptive to normal University operations are not approved by this Board and will not be condoned in Dr. Rozman's case or in any other cases." v say v v, mtr &M mxt Administration troubleshooter... Russell Brown, dean for student development discusses the Rozman firing with students at a meeting in the Nebraska Union lounge following the Regents meeting. Good Times, Good Words XTi JLN 4 f- I") s. s rr j YESTIWIE AND A WO RD r Hi On Atlantic Records & Tapes (Tapes Distributed by Ampex) 'i m i I MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 197T THE DAILY NEBRASKAN PAGE 3
