What was your role on campus at the time:

Undergraduate

During the school year 1969-70, where did you live:

Off-Campus

Were you a member of any student organization on campus? If so, which one(s)?

SDS

During the weeks before the university closed, what was the most significant thing you observed?

I observed the undercover police close the gate at 11th and Neil and then try to reopen it with 5,000 students milling around. About 50 police were sent to quell the students and needless to say the police were unsuccessful. A number of the police were unable to contain themselves and charged students, only to get pushed back in a humiliating retreat. Although I cannot justify everything done by the students, the police were very unprofessional and caused many of the subsequent riots.

What were your impressions of campus during the time period?

The atmophere at OSU was highly charged with various political groups representing blacks, women, and anti-war protesters. By and large no one approved of bombing Cambodia. The police were very undisciplined as were some of the national guard. Some of the National Guard, however, made honest attempts to curb the violence. In at least one instance that I observed, National Guard officers who tried to calm things down were chastised by their superiors. On the other hand, Woody Hayes stood in the middle of the students, at great personal risk, and did get protesters to stop throwing rocks and greatly reduced the violence. I will never forget the courage of Woody Hayes.

Did you think the university should be closed? Why or why not?

I am glad OSU was closed. Given the events at Kent State, it was only a matter of time before some OSU students were injured or killed. The National Guard troops were about the same age as most of the students and they were being harassed to the point where they wanted to do some serious violence to the protesters. I remember disrupting a ROTC event and seeing the National Guard with their M1 rifles pointed at us, the same afternoon we heard about the Kent State shootings.

What did you do during the two weeks the university was closed?

I enjoyed the break.

Did you return to finish the quarter?

Yes

Looking back, what do you think are the lasting legacies of the student demonstrations?

I do not care what Nixon and Kissinger said, the student demonstrations shortened the Vietnam War. As we aged many of us realized that a lot of the student demands were infantile, but it was an exciting time. I hope the young Arab and Islamic students can effect positive change in their countries. Never underestimate the impact of student demonstrations. Egypt, Libya, and Iran are next.