CCSC Hears Student Cases
THE College Committee on Standing and Conduct, meeting over a period of two weeks under the chairmanship of Prof. William W. Ballard '28, heard the cases of 29 of the 40 Dartmouth undergraduates who had been arrested in connection with the takeover of Parkhurst Hall, and then recessed for the summer on June 20 with 11 cases remaining to be disposed of. The CCSC will resume hearings in early September and hopes to have all cases settled before the opening of the fall term.
In the cases of five seniors, the CCSC voted suspensions which go on their permanent academic records, but four of these seniors were immediately reinstated. Two of the four made up their academic work in time to graduate June 15, and the other two will get their degrees later if they meet the academic requirements.
The CCSC voted acquittal for the five students who had been acquitted by the New Hampshire Superior Court. One of these was a student press photographer who was not a part of the occupying group, and the other four had been acquitted by the Court because there was no evidence that they had really been inside the building.
In the other 19 completed cases, the CCSC voted College Discipline for varying periods during the coming academic year.
Among the 11 cases held over until September, one student has withdrawn from College with prejudice. If this student, or any other who elects to withdraw, seeks to return at a later date he must appear before the CCSC before readmission can be considered.
Most of the students appearing before the CCSC had been released from New Hampshire county jails on June 4, their 30-day sentences having been shortened three days for good behavior. In the five retrials and five new trials that began before Judge Richard Dunfey in Plymouth, N. H., on May 26, five students were acquitted and the other five received sentences of 30 days in jail and $100 fines.
The membership of the Committee on Standing and Conduct which heard the cases consisted of four faculty members and four undergraduates. Dean Dickerson, the regular chairman, and Dean Seymour had disqualified themselves since they were involved in the Parkhurst seizure and were testifying.
On June 23 a separate hearing was opened by the Committee Advisory to the President, this one concerning the alleged participation of two faculty members - Paul S. Knapp, Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry, and Dona P. Strauss, Assistant Professor of Mathematics - in the occupation of Parkhurst Hall. The defendants requested the open hearing after Acting Dean of the Faculty Frank Smallwood had recommended to the Trustees that their contracts be terminated. Legal counsel took part in the two days of hearings, Knapp and Mrs. Strauss being represented by William M. Kunstler of New York, an American Civil Liberties Union attorney. Counsel for the Committee Advisory to the President was John A. Graf '58 of Manchester, N. H. Paul R. Shafer, Professor of Chemistry and vice-chairman of CAP, presided over the hearings. The committee's decisions were not immediately disclosed.
