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
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 197T
THE DAILY NEBRASKAN
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