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Cohen Commission quits credibility a problem after Ketter appointment 'No double talk’, says Ketter by Curt Miller Campus Editor overturn any academic policy decision made within a university although they often are not aware of all the conditions existing at that university. Several of the programs currently in effect at this University are not recognized by the Trustees. by Janice Doane Contributing Editor “However it did serve as a mechanism where every opportunity for due process was provided,” he said. Dr. Ketter cited the recent acquittal of Terrence Keegan, one of the accused students, on two counts as an example. The Temporary Executive Council, a group charged with reporting to Albany on major issues facing this University during the administration of former acting president Peter F. Regan, resigned Wednesday. The “first big hurdle” for his new administration to overcome, according to Robert Ketter, president-elect for the State University of Buffalo, will be to “establish a degree of credibility” with the University community. Besides re-establishing credibility with students, Dr. Ketter also cited the need to gain the confidence of both the Buffalo community and the Board of Trustees in Albany. This is true especially in regard to the new Amherst campus and collegiate system. No credits? Primarily in question is the Collegiate System. Although currently in operation, the Collegiate System has never been approved by the Board of Trustees and students could be refused credit for courses which they take in any one of the various colleges. The Collegiate Prospectus was approved by student referendum and by voting in the Faculty Senate. Administrative sources, however have indicated that the Trustees may have already placed a moratorium on credit for courses taken within the Collegiate System. The phasing out of AFROTC approved by the university in the same manner is still contingent on decision in Albany. Although this University may try to break their contract with the Air Force it is still up to the Central Administration to decide if AFROTC is academically inappropriate. < Unfavorable decision in Albany _ regarding these two issues which have sparked many campus disturbances in the past could result in continued and more violent confrontations next year. The Temporary Executive Committee, however hopes this can be avoided. The 11 member committee, chaired by Ira Cohen, Provost, Faculty of Social Sciences and Administration, was appointed by Chancellor Gould to issue a middle ground viewpoint and as such they think their reports have been accepted as credible by the Chancellor. Rapid implementation of their suggestions has been repeatedly urged by the Committee in letters to the Chancellor. In a letter to State University of New York Chancellor Samuel B. Gould, the Executive Council, also known as the Cohen commission explained that they considered themselves to be relieved of their charge upon the assumption of the University presidency by Robert Ketter. The letter indicated however, that as individuals, the eleven members of the committee would be happy to serve the new administration. At an interview with The Spectrum Monday, Dr. Ketter further elaborated on the trends he wishes his administration to take. “Credibility has been a big problem this past year,” Dr. Ketter said. He went on to promise for next year, “anybody can ask a question and be assured of an answer that will be true.” “There will be no doubletalk,” he added. “I’m the type of person who believes in laying the cards on the table and not hiding anything.” Dr. Ketter appeared flexible and very willing to remain responsive to suggestions. Agreeing that a group of student advisors to the president is “a very good idea,” Dr. Ketter went on to add that he hopes his administration will represent as “wide a spectrum of feelings as possible.” CoOegiate system “The colleges are. in great jeopardy,” Dr. Ketter said. “This is because nobody has taken the time to explain them in words that are acceptable to the Board of Trustees.” Dr, Keeter specified that there was a need to present the viability of the colleges and the educational soundness of their programs. “Our first big hurdle here,*’ he reiterated, “will be to re-establish confidence.” Dr. Ketter feels that the good the colleges have done for the community may illustrate the beneficial aspects of the collegiate system. He added that the “Lackawanna clinic is a very good example of this.” “This whole collegiate experiment can possibly indicate a pattern for community involvement and such things as model city development,” he said. “People should also be made aware of the huge effect the Amherst campus will have on the development of the Western New York area,” Dr. Ketter continued. He expressed the hope that the campus will serve to “push cultural activities” until there will be a “cultural climate permeating the whole Western New York area.” When asked about criticism that the Amherst Wednesday’s meeting, the 27th since April, resulted in a final report on university governance which was mailed, along with the committee’s resignation, to Albany. “I work best with people who are critical,” he explained. “I like people that can be critical of me and I can be critical of them.” Because of the relevance of this report to the numerous faculties and collegiate units at this university and in the state-wide system, the Committee has asked Chancellor Gould for wide distribution of the report. Reputation to overcome Dr. Ketter, currently serving as chairman of the controversial Hearing Commission admitted that the negative reputation he has received from his involvement with that group, will be “a hinderance,” but one that he will be able to overcome. Large problem According to members of the Committee, the role to be assumed by those filling many administrative positions must be clarified. The size of the “I served as chairman because I was absolutely sick of students being accused of actions and not being able to say anything in their own defense,” he campus will be mainly a graduate-research center, Dr. Ketter said: “There will be a fairly large expansion on the graduate level. Mrs. Moore said. (chairman of the Board of Trustees) has told us that The legality of the commission has been questioned by both student defendants and the Niagara Frontier branch of the American Civil there will be 15,000 graduate students.’’ “However,” he added, “there will be 25,000 undergraduates, so that they are by no means being Liberty Union. “I believe the legality will hold up in any court in which it is tried,” Dr. Ketter said. “The philosophy behind it may have been questionable and it may have not been morally desirable.” pushed out.” “Open admissions,” he continued, “absolutely won’t work.” He did agree that programs for minority enrollment should be “encourage and expanded.” news analysis University, coupled with the vagueness of many administrative titles, led the committee to ask the Board of Trustees in Albany, to reevaluate the current system. Other problems face the internal organization of the university. Judge denies court order restraining Abel’s expulsion Trustees, State University of New York Guidelines Article 1, Part 500, Sec. 500.2(a). The University Council, a group of local businessmen largely responsible for external decision making on internal matters at the State University of Buffalo, has been unresponsive to the request of the Committee, and the needs of the University. The Council has also proven itself unresponsive to the Central Administration in Albany. In the past the local Council had submitted several prospective candidates for presidential selection to the Board of Trustees. However in the recent selection of Dr. Ketter as president, the Council submitted only his name to the Trustees. On June 22, the Niagara Frontier Chapter of the New York Civil Liberties Union moved in the Federal District Court for a Temporary Restraining Order, restraining the expulsion of graduate student Adrian Abel and the restoration of his status prior to his expulsion. The Temporary Restraining Order was denied by Federal District Court Judge John T. Curtin, but an order to show cause why a preliminary injunction should not be issued was granted and returnable on June 25. The Temporary Restraining Order was incident to a lawsuit filed in the Court in April. relates, among other things, that Abel, because of the denial by the Commission of a short, one-week adjournment during Easter vacation, was tried without his presence, in absentia and thus was deprived of the constitutionally protected rights to defend himself, to present evidence in his own behalf, the right to confront and cross-examine his accusers and the right to notice of the charges against him. Edward I. K o ren, NFC-NYCLU staff counsel and representing Mr. Abel, said: ‘The University and the Temporary Hearing Commission held themselves out to be applying the due process standards that the Nor a token In its three month existence, the Committee also acted as a temporary executive council to assist Dr. Regan in dealing with the problems of university governance, academic issues and “matters relating to the maintenance of the peace of the University.” Initially the Committee was afraid that it would be considered only as a symbol, a token by the administration to show its responsiveness to students, without having any real powers. However on numerous occasions the committee’s recommendations Student consultation ‘The Guidelines provide in part that, Tn order to encourage, maintain and assure communication and participation by the administration, faculty and students at respective campuses, the council shall act after consultation with ... students in promulgating or in reviewing and ratifying regulations on student conduct.’ ” The lawsuit thus asserts that the Temporary Hearing Commission was established without prior student Another major problem observed by the Committee is the relationship between decision-making bodies on this campus and in Albany. The Board of Trustees has the power to O n June 2 S, the NFC-NYCLU also requested that Judge Curtin allow the filing of a supplementary complaint to the Two significant Committee recommendations will have a long range effect on the University. disciplinary action against students: the Civil Liberties Union believes that the University and - a clear violation of the Board of Trustees’ own Guidelines. The Spectrum it published Mr. Koren also noted “that times e week during the reguler academic year and weekly, every Friday, during the Summer sessions by the Faculty-Student Association of the State University of New York at Buffalo, Inp. Offices are located at 355 Norton Hall, State University of New York et Buffalo. 3435 Main Street, Buffalo, New York 14314. Telephone: Area Code 716, Editorial, 831-4113, Business, 831-3610. Telex: 91-6472. counsel, to handle University legal matters, is a step towards decentralization of power in the State University system. An expected widespread investigation into methods of internal security has already catalyzed changes in Campus Security and when complete, may offer more effective and less painful methods of campus security. The Temporary Executive Committee has proven itself to be a viable means of presidential advisement. The formation of several new committees, soon to grievance already this year. Commission have not lived up to those standards.” the State University seems to stick to its own rules and be considerate of students’ rights in times of quiet, but ignore them in times of crisis.” He referred to the fact that the Student Judiciary was created with student consultation and ratified with student, Council and Board of Trustees approval while the Temporary Hearing Commission was established during the recent troubles on campus without student participation. “But rights are for times of crisis, too, and if The defendants in the supplemental lawsuit are the Temporary Hearing Commission on Campus Disruption of the State University of Buffalo, Robert L. Ketter, the chairman of the Commission, and Acting President Peter F. Regan. The suit challenged the unconstitutional procedure utilized in the expulsion of Abel and goes on to attack the very legitimacy of the NFC-NYCLU, through the means of the lawsuit, severely condemned the very creation of the Temporary Hearing Commission and labelled the Commission illegally convened and without power to render any judgements. ‘The plaintiff (Mr. Abel) alleges that the establishment of the Temporary Hearing Commission was Represented for advertising by National Educational Advertising Service, Inc., 18 E. 50th Street, New York, New York 10022. Second Class Postage paid at Buffalo, Nsw York. be effected by Dr. Ketter, is a necessary step towards determining and satisfying the needs of a changing University. to render any disciplinary action against students. interpretation of the New York State Education Law. ..in conjunction with the Board of they are not so applied *in the breach,’ what are they worth?” said Mr. Koren. Circulation: 10,000. The supplemental complaint Page two . The Spectrum . July 2, 1970
