32 – May 1970 ‘Special Report from UI’

May 1970 'Special Report from UI'

The 1970 document, “A Special Report From the University of Iowa,” provides a nuanced overview of the May demonstrations at the University. It includes excerpts from letters to President Boyd expressing diverse opinions on campus unrest, with some parents concerned for their children’s safety and others supporting Boyd’s decision to keep the university open amid protests. Mayor Loren Hickerson reflects on challenges faced during anti-war demonstrations, addressing arrests, campus occupations, and a bomb explosion. The report details options offered to students during protests, disciplinary actions taken, and the faculty’s split vote on the ROTC program. President Boyd’s concluding letter asserts the university’s commitment to remaining open, emphasizing access to learning and services despite challenges, and the document features eyewitness accounts offering varied perspectives on the unfolding events.