"Students react to shutdown"

Student reactions to this morning's open forum plan varied from disappointment to feelings of great benefit to the University community, according to a random News poll.

Freshman Jane Heitmeyer said today’s meeting should accomplish much more than yesterday's demonstrations at the Administration Building and the speeches at Williams Hall.

She predicted little chance of violence today, mainly because whenever students here propose violent action, most participants just walk away.

She cited Thursday's "uneventful" march to the draft board as an example Steve Holstein, sophomore (Ed.), also foresees little trouble today, "if certain factions will respect the opinions of other people."

He said there will be disturbances only if pro-ROTC students harrass peace advocates.

According to Patti Smith, freshman (Ed.), student activities here are "ridiculous."

"Students are saying the police should be unarmed, but how are they going to defend themselves?" she asked "Police are needed for protection."

She described the activities at Kent as "terrible," but said she couldn't understand what canceling classes here had to do with the Kent disturbances.

However, she commended President Jerome for being willing to listen to student demands.

Sophomore Suzanne Chesney also approved of today's meeting. "The best way to face this situation is for the faculty and students to discuss it together."

“I don't know if I can support all their demands," she went on. "But if the students have demands, they ought to be presented to the Administration."

She did not think students here should become involved with activities and demands at Kent.

"I think we should worry about our campus and not everyone else’s," she said.

Freshman Jan Pawlechko said she did not know what today's meeting would accomplish, but at least it was an attempt to settle campus problems before the situation gets out of hand.

Bob Graham, sophomore (Ed.) also sees the meeting with the students as a wise move on President Jerome's part.

"Most campuses either call in the National Guard or let the students do whatever they want. Here Jerome is letting the students talk it over and will possibly avert any major trouble."

He said this is the first time an administrator has tried to set up communications with the students. At other colleges, he said, there is either no action on the part of the administrators or else violent action on the part of the students.

He also said that some of the trouble here may have been caused by outside agitators.

Steve Kilborn. Sophomore (LA), stated, "There is a possibility of something constructive happening here if some of the main issues are cleared up in tomorrow's meeting.

"If everyone comes out with different ideas in mind, if they are not together, something in the way of violence could be a possibility."

Cathy Cowen, a grad student in speech, had somewhat of a different reaction. She was at yesterday's meeting in the beginning but soon walked off because of what she called, "illogical, vague generalities" in the speakers' reasoning.

She added. "This morning's meeting should be constructive and is definitely encouraging. However, there is always the potential violence present when a crowd and powerful speakers get together."

Benjamin Marvin, Junior (LA), said that yesterday's meeting was generally beneficial to the campus, in that Dr. Jerome is now willing to talk to the students.

According to Marvin. "A lot will come out of the morning meeting. We will be better able to define the issues at that time."

He added that no explosive atmosphere is present on the campus because the students are basically too level headed.

Pat Courte, Junior (Ed.), said she was scared and frustrated after yesterday's meeting. She was afraid that the students were not together on the issues involved and therefore made no sense.

"Jerome made a good move by talking to the students," she added, "The best idea for the students now is to meet the President half-way tomorrow.

Some students feel that Bowling Green is far too conservative to have any real trouble.

"I don't think there will ever be an explosive situation here," said Rollin Ross, freshman (BA).

"I didn't know Bowling Green was in that kind of trouble." Mike Sheffer, senior (BA) said. "The student body doesn't care about anything except what goes on in their own little world."

Other students feel there could be trouble here.

"Yes there could be problems." Bruce Lund, sophomore (LA) said. "Too many things are hitting the fan at one time."

Larry Sawchak. freshman (Ed.), said the most trouble could develop between different students factions on campus.

"It could develop into a war between the frats and the radicals," he said.