By Lev D. Zilbermints
Part One
In the last two issues of Local Talk, dated July 22 and 29, respectively, our readers were introduced to how the Rutgers Board of Governors are allegedly violating the Open Public Meetings Act.
Time limits were cut to the minimum, from three minutes to two; the practice of ceding time to another speaker was declared illegal; sign-up for speaking was made 24 hours before the meeting; and the agenda was released to the public 48 hours before the meeting. Speaking was allowed only on agenda items.
Yet, this was not always so. In this issue, we will look at how the students of decades past fought against the Board of Governors for their rights and freedoms.
1960s – 1971
During the turbulent 1960s, Mason W. Gross was President of Rutgers University. Students protested against the Vietnam War, racism, inequality, the fact that there were not enough Black professors and courses at Rutgers, and more.
Things came to a head when students took over Conklin Hall in February 1969. Despite pressure from the Governor of New Jersey, other politicians and more, President Gross decided not to use the National Guard to regain control of the building. Instead, negotiations ensued between the student protesters and university administration. The result of these negotiations was that more Black professors were hired, courses on Black history were added, and Rutgers became more diverse.
In 1969, the University Council was by a vote of the Board of Governors transformed into the University Senate. It was given more powers and became an important decision-maker in Rutgers University affairs. The president could make no decision without the advice and consent of the University Senate.
After 12 years as President. Mason W. Gross resigned in 1971. He was succeeded by Edward J. Bloustein, a lawyer.
1971 – 1989
Rutgers expanded during the presidency of Edward J. Bloustein. New buildings were built, the university became known for its research, and new faculty were hired. As a lawyer, Bloustein was very aware of the rights of the students. In 1974, a new student code was passed. It defined what constituted disruptive activities at the school, and included demonstrations such as those of the 1960s, in it.
The early Seventies saw protests against the Vietnam War and Watergate, among others.
According to the 1977 ENCORE yearbook, President Bloustein was speaking to students when an aide told him he was twenty minutes late to his next meeting. Bloustein apologized, grabbed his medicine bottle, and ran out the door. This episode shows how approachable President Bloustein was.
In 1981, students protested against centralization. This meant that Rutgers became more centralized than before, with some schools being merged and new positions created. The centralization went through despite student opposition.
The mid-to-late 1980s saw protest against apartheid in South Africa. Sources say that President Bloustein participated in a student protest. He even got himself arrested in order to make a statement against apartheid. The Rutgers Board of Governors agreed to divest from South Africa because of apartheid.
Around 1988, CARE (Campaign for an Affordable Rutgers Education), the most radical student group at Rutgers, was formed. According to Daily Targum archives, the group was formed from a coalition of several other groups. This group fought for voting representation on the Board of Governors for students, a cap on tuition, and more.
President Edward J. Bloustein died of a heart attack in the Bahamas in December 1989. With him gone, the Rutgers presidency went to the controversial Francis L. Lawrence.
Next Time: The 1990s – 2020s
