University of Virginia Library

ACLU Investigates Legality
Of New Code Of Conduct

By Sharon Mayes
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

An investigation of the recently
altered code of conduct issued by
President Edgar F. Shannon in September
is being led by the legal panel of the
Central Virginia chapter of the American
Civil Liberties Union.

Lawrence Cranberg, who is chairman
of the chapter, which has its headquarters
in Charlottesville, stressed the fact
however that this study does not indicate
that legal action will be recommended, let
alone taken.

Investigation of Membership

According to Mr. Cranberg the
investigation is being made because of its
interest to the membership of the local
ACLU chapter, which consists largely of
members of the University community.
The report resulting from the study will
be presented to the next meeting of the
local chapter's board of directors a week
from Tuesday.

Mr. Cranberg explained that even if
the panel should decide to recommend
that legal action be taken, it must be
remembered that decisions with respect to
court action do not rest with the local chapter.
This is because the ACLU is a national
organization which has affiliates in most of the
states.

The ACLU of Virginia has its own chairman,
board of directors, and legal panel. But the
Central Virginia chapter never takes legal
action. It serves as a sort of "local watchdog."

However, the state board of directors takes
legal action upon the recommendations given to
it by the local chapters. Therein lies the
importance of the present investigation, which
will closely examine the rules to see if any
constitutional rights are violated.

Since the issues confronting the panel
involve legal considerations it is hard to say at
this point what will result from the
investigation, Mr. Cranberg added.

One member of the investigating panel did
point out that since the court has said that
certain state college rules concerning students'
rights can be declared unconstitutional, the
Madison College decision will allow the ACLU
or any other group to question or contest the
constitutionality of other rules in state
institutions of higher learning.

Vague Phrasing

He added that unless the panel finds that the
rules are very vague on face value, it probably
won't attempt to recommend that they be
contested in court.

He did state that although the new wordings
passed clarified several points, some of the rules
seemed to be very precise but then lapsed into
vague phrasing.

He said one such case might arise in the
wording of section 10, which prohibits "Any
violation of federal, state, or local law if such
directly affects the University's pursuit of its
proper educational purposes."

He said there may be some question as to
just what does affect the University's pursuit of
its proper educational purposes.

He also pointed out the possibility that in
the future the enforcement of these rules might
be contested in court if there is a question as to
the students' rights.'

Whatever the result of the investigation, at
least the ACLU is actively pursuing its goals of
defending and upholding the individual's rights
and keeping the public educated as to the
meaning and implication of the bill of rights.

Lawrence Cranberg

Chairman Of Local ACLU Chapter