University of Virginia Library

Letters To The Editor

Academic Senility, Moral Bankruptcy,
Counter Usefulness Of Student Strike

As one who is violently opposed
to the Indochina War, and the
racism, sexism, and oppression
which has unhappily come to
characterize our government's
policies, I find myself in an
awkward position. I urge my fellow
students to vote against a May
student strike.

I will be in Washington in May
regardless of the consequences to
my academic record. I can do no
less. I also recognize that there
exists a faculty group here which,
oblivious to Jefferson's ideals and
rapped in closed minds, will
penalize unjustly those who feel
morally obligated to participate in
the May Day action. These men will
abuse again, as they have in the
past, their positions in an attempt
to enforce their own political views
on their students. They will do this
in the name of academic freedom,
while it is, in reality, one of the
most insidious forms of academic
un-freedom imaginable. It is a
witness to their moral bankruptcy
and their academic senility.

These men exist; we know who
many of them are. That is one of
the unfortunate facts of this
University. However, the answer to
these men is not to vote for a
student strike but rather to
organize and participate in direct
actions against their abuses or
power and position. An affirmative
strike vote would free some
individuals to go to Washington,
yes. Unfortunately, however, that
would not be its predominate
consequence. Rather, the strike
would become for most another
holiday ... U.Va. would have
another big week-end.

Tragically, what was conceived
of as an anti-war action would have
the opposite effect. People would
come to see the "strike" as a
sufficient protest against the war.
We know that it is not. It would
mis-direct attention away from the
issues and necessary tactics of
implementation that have been
organized. It would perpetuate the
mistakes of last May.

Yes, last May was groovy. But it
didn't end the war. Let us learn
from past mistakes. Go to
Washington. Join us in blocking
Key Bridge, and other anti-war
appropriate and useful tactic. But
vote against the strike. Concentrate
on realizing and implementing our
principles by all means necessary,
rather than seeking traditional, safe,
and proven impotent courses of
action. We know that the war won't
end thru such passive,
non-sacrificial, democratic means.
That fact is indeed tragic, but it is a
reality.

Help!

Please come to our rescue. Our
Dorm Watson House is full of
Roaches They are on our beds, in
our desks and in our closets. We
spray to get rid of them but it just
doesn't work. Please give us some
advice.

Power Issue

There is some likelihood that a
"New Constitution" will be among
the referendum issues on the April
28-29 ballot. I disfavor the measure
because its provisions will not
rectify the problems incurred under
the present Constitution, viz: the
lack of jurisdiction and qualified
representatives. With respect to
jurisdiction (power, authority and
responsibility are related terms),
the problem is not easily resolvable.

The Administration or Board of
Visitors or State of Virginia are not
likely to delegate more than petty
"responsibility" to an official
council of the student body. Since
THEY will not condescend to US,
it is necessary for us to infiltrate
administrative committees and put
more than token pressure for or
against proposals before them.

Although these suggestions make
for but an artificial
self-determination, they are the
best we can do during these, dark
ages.

A student government of
approximately 300 would make for
an interesting experiment, but does
not promise to be beneficial in the
struggle to acquire authority.

Secondly, from my experience
with the Student Council and two
dormitory councils, I am doubtful
that we can begin to find (no less
elect) but a fraction of 300
"qualified" students. By qualified I
mean knowledgeable, dedicated,
articulate, etc. These may be
stringent criteria but the many
geeks presently serving us dictate
that they be so. This problem is
interdependent with the now
negligible jurisdiction. Until
meaningful authority is vested in
student hands, any student
government can but play Romper
Room and scribble on reams of
paper.

Thus, the need is not for a "New
Constitution" but for student
activists who will extract power
from up ABOVE.