"Praises students for conduct"
MLA Citation
Skibbie, F. Gus. “"Praises students for conduct".” Digital Gallery. BGSU University Libraries, 18 June 2020, digitalgallery.bgsu.edu/items/show/17449. Accessed 15 Feb. 2025.
Tags
Title | "Praises students for conduct" |
---|---|
Subject | Bowling Green State University -- Students -- Political activity |
Skibbie, F. Gus | |
Kent State Shootings, Kent, Ohio, 1970 | |
Description | A letter from Bowling Green, Ohio Mayor F. Gus Skibbie in the BG News appraising peaceful student demonstrations in the aftermath of the 1970 Kent State Shootings. |
Creator | Skibbie, F. Gus |
Source | BG News; Center for Archival Collections; University Libraries; Bowling Green State University |
Publisher | Bowling Green State University |
Date | 1970-05-05 |
Rights | |
Format | Published works |
Ephemera | |
application/pdf | |
Language | eng |
Identifier | bgnews_19700505_p2_praisesstudents.pdf |
https://digitalgallery.bgsu.edu/items/show/17449 | |
Spatial Coverage | Bowling Green (Ohio) |
Type | Text |
praises students for conduct In recent days some of the student body of Bowling Green State University presented to the administration of that institution their thoughts, ideas, and suggestions on certain items related to that great institution, of which I am proud to be an alumnus. The procedure used, as I understand, was businesslike, orderly and courteous. This, to me, was a most proper manner in which to proceed and one for which I, as Mayor of this small city, extend personal and official praise and compliments. Last Thursday night (April 30, 1970) a large number of University students marched from the University campus into other parts of the community far a variety of purposes--but perhaps basically to "get off some steam" and to make known their feelings on particular matters of concern to some of them. As is to be expected in any group of considerable size there always will be people with different ideas, motives, procedural techniques, and objectives of accomplishment. All of the reports that have reached my office, at this date, from my staff and my fellow citizens have been, with a very few exceptions, almost entirely complimentary and commendable of the actions and activities of the great majority of the group. The right to dissent in sound, legal, and proper form la the right of every American citizen, young and old, and should be so recognised the right to dissent and protest by illegal and improper methods endangering life. Ignoring law. and damaging property should not exist nor be supported by any American citizen. In all of my years of public service I have never had reason to be more proud of the student body of our University than to recognize publicly the actions and activities of the many many fine students who conducted themselves as they did on this occasion. When restraints were felt to be in order to prevent illegal, unlawful, thoughtless, or improper actions the processes of reasoning were used rather than force, violence, and-or destructiveness. When errors or improper actions were committed corrective and remedial measures were taken. In analyzing the events of the evening it appeared to me that those many fine students who conducted themselves as they did by helping to restrain, guide, advise, and lead that group of their fellows who, perhaps were inclined to react in an improper manner at times, are entitled to the maximum praise and approval by our community's entire population (student and non-student). Other students, who at times, advocated negative and damaging activity are also to be commended for their willingness to listen and to follow the sound advice of others. As Mayor of the City of Bowling Green I wish to extend my personal and official thanks and commendations to the entire student body of Bowling Green State University for playing a great part in aiding to prevent serious trouble and damaging conditions that could have reflected in a most negative fashion on our University and our Community. It is my sincere hope and prayer that the same soundness of thought, reason, and action that was exemplified by the students of our University during last week will continue in the future. I would greatly appreciate being of help and assistance to the resolution at any situation in the future in which it is felt that, as an alumnus of the University, Mayor of the City, or as an interested citizen I can serve in a constructive manner. F. Gus Skibbie Mayor of Bowling Green |