University of Virginia Library

Sustain Ideals

"If the University is to remain a community
in which the ideals of freedom of inquiry and
expression are sustained, then it cannot as an
institution respond to political pressures for
specific political causes, however worthy."

Mr. Shannon stressed that students are still
able to participate in the moratorium on their
own.

"Individual students are, of course, free - as
they always are - to make their own decisions
in the light of their academic duties and ethical
responsibilities. It would be as wrong for me to
attempt to interfere with this freedom as it
would be for me to announce a University
position on the morality of the war."

Reaction to the President's decision was
varied.

Speaking for himself, John Israel of the
History Department and a strong advocate of
the moratorium said that the President's
decision "doesn't bother me."