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 Sub-Group
Identifier: RG 07/A2/01

Vietnam War Teach-Ins at Rutgers University Records

 
 Sub-Group
Identifier: RG 07/A2/01

The records of the Teach-Ins at Rutgers University include correspondence, newspaper clippings, statements, and reports related to the controversy surrounding the three (3) "Teach Ins" held at Rutgers University in 1965. The bulk of the public comment was sparked by Rutgers Professor Genovese's April 23, 1965 "Teach In" statement, "I do not fear or regret the impending Viet Cong victory in Vietnam. I welcome it," and the University's subsequent handling of the matter. The "Teach In" at which Genovese made his statement was a discussion of American foreign policy in Vietnam organized by Rutgers College Faculty. Items addressing this issue also represent the bulk of the materials in the collection.

Professor Genovese had been appointed to Rutgers on July 1, 1963 as an assistant professor of history. On April 9, 1965, the Board of Governors approved his promotion to the position of associate professor with academic tenure, effective July 1, 1965.

After an investigation of Genovese's statement at the "Teach In", no action against the professor was taken, and the Board of Governors of Rutgers prepared a brochure which described the situation and explained the University's position. President Gross and the Board of Governors would later be awarded the ninth annual Meiklejohn Award from the American Association of University Professors for their stand in the Genovese case.

New Jersey Senator, Wayne Dumont, R-Warren County demanded Genovese's removal from the University and focused on the issue in his campaign in his election bid against incumbent Democratic Governor Richard J. Hughes who supported the University's decision.

In response to "attacks upon free expression at Rutgers", a Committee on Free Speech was formed by students. The committee urged the gubernatorial candidates not to make the Genovese controversy a campaign issue.

The second "Teach In" was held on September 29, 1965. At this event, Drew University political science instructor, James Mellen, made known his agreement with Genovese. Mellen would not be reappointed to his post at Drew.

The third "Teach In" was held the night of October 14, 1965. Dr. Mason Gross issued a statement before the event disapproving of its "political rally" nature. Parents of soldiers in Vietnam were urged to attend the "Teach In" by Walter Lantry of Carlstadt whose son was serving in Vietnam. During this "Teach-In", an incident occured in which Mrs. Lantry struck a student and the student struck back.

In November 1965, Rutgers students supporting U.S. policy in Vietnam traveled to Washington, D.C. to present a petition expressing their views to U.S. Senators from New Jersey, Clifford P. Case and Harrison A. Williams.

Dates
1965-1966
Extent
1.6 Cubic Feet (4 manuscript boxes)
Language of Materials
Undetermined

Summary: Contains the bulk of the documents. Includes newspaper clippings, procured by a clipping service, correspondence, records and resolutions relating to the "Teach In", the Genovese controversy, the Dumont / Hughes gubernatorial campaign, and correspondence from alumnae and concerned citizens to Dr. Gross.

Dates
April 23, 1965 - January 22, 1966

Includes letters, telegrams, postcards, newspaper clippings, reprints, newsletters, religious tracts, and returned annotated university mailings sent in protest of Genovese, the University's handling of the case, "Teach Ins", and of the incident of the student striking the woman.

Dates
May 14, 1965-January 6, 1966

Includes letters, postcards, and clippings mailed by members of the public in support of the University's handling of the Genovese case, free speech, academic freedom, and of Genovese's statement.

Dates
July 10, 1965-November 18, 1965

Includes a copy of the "Report to the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey, re Professor Eugene D. Genovese and the 'Vietnam Teach-In' at Rutgers-The State University on April 23, 1965" prepared by New Jersey Assemblymen, William V. Musto (D-Hudson) and Douglas E. Gimson (R-Hunterdon), dated June 28, 1965. A transcript of the April 23 "Teach In" is attached to this report.

Dates
July 30, 1965-January 17, 1966
Dates
July 2, 1965-October 31, 1965

Includes letters and returned, mutilated or annotated University mailings from various offices. Some responses indicate support. Includes correspondence to New Jersey Senator Nelson Stamler.

Dates
July 22, 1965-January 22, 1966
 File — Box: 2, Folder: 2

Includes resolutions from various organizations (American Legion, VFW, Disabled American Vets, Concerned Citizens of New Milford, Woodbridge Young Republicans Club, Retired Officers Association, etc.) in opposition to and in favor of the University's stance on the Genovese issue.

Dates
June 28, 1965-October 13, 1965

Includes letter from the Rutgers AAUP Chapter to the Board of Governors urging support of academic freedom, and mailings from the chapter relating to the Genovese case.

Dates
July 2, 1965-September 17, 1965

Describes requests for resignation, protests by various groups, calls for investigation and other public responses.

Dates
July 8, 1965-January 13, 1965

Describes individuals and groups in favor of Genovese's retention and public figures' statements in support of University policy.

Dates
July 19, 1965-November 27, 1965
Dates
April 23 1965-October 31, 1965
Dates
November 1, 1965-December 2, 1965

Clippings from newspapers around the state expressing the opinions of constituents, alumnae, and concerned individuals and groups on both sides of the "Teach In" issue, Genovese, and the Governors election campaign.

Dates
August 19, 1965-December 4, 1965

Senator who supports more state control exercised over Rutgers University.

Dates
August 8-9, 1965

Includes the meeting with Mason Gross, the campaign for Governor, Genovese controversy. Contents includes a copy of a radio advertisement supporting Dumont for Governor re: Genovese issue. Clippings are from New Jersey and national newspapers.

Dates
July 29-November 24, 1965

Proposal by Dumont to dismiss Genovese if he is elected Governor. News clippings highlighting reactions to the proposal.

Dates
October 4-22, 1965

Member of the Board of Governors supporting academic freedom; includes copy of the statement and newspaper clippings with reactions.

Dates
August 15-November 7, 1965

Proposal, correspondence, newsclippings, schedules of speakers and agenda for the September 29-30, 1965 "Teach In". Includes a copy Edison Township Republican Chairman Brown's letter soliciting reports on professors from Rutgers students.

Dates
August 15-November 7, 1965
Dates
September 29-30, 1965
 
 File — Box: 3, Folder: 13

Includes correspondence, newspaper clippings,and a copy of a WABC television editorial responding to both sides of the "Teach In" issue as well as news accounts of James Mellen, Drew University professor. Includes information on the speakers and agenda for the "Teach In".

Dates
September 29-30, 1965
 File — Box: 4, Folder: 1

Correspondence, newspaper clippings, and University official's investigation report into the Lantry / Marain incident. Includes information on the speakers and the agenda for the "Teach In" and Mason Gross' statement of disapproval of the event.

Dates
1965, October 14

Includes correspondence from U.S. Senators from New Jersey, Clifford P. Case and Harrison A. Williams.

Dates
October 31-November 20, 1965
 File — Box: 4, Folder: 3

Folder containing a copy of The Weekly People, the official organ of the Socialist Lobor Party, and a poster advertising an organized protest to the war in Vietnam on October 16, 1965, which took place in Trenton, NJ.

Dates
1965, October 16
Dates
1966
Dates
June 1965-September 1965
Dates
October 1965-November 1965
Dates
December 1965-June 1969
 File — Box: 4, Folder: 8

Dates
undated