News report on Nixon honorary degree
Title
News report on Nixon honorary degree
Date
1966
Rights
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Genre
news report
Transcription
Roger Mudd
Richard Nixon is speaking in New Orleans tonight ostensibly to raise money for state Republicans but with a full day of appearances around the city. He looked very much like a candidate running for president. Meanwhile, a campus dispute is swirling about Mr. Nixon at the University of Rochester. CBS News reporter Josh Darsa has the story.
Josh Darsa
The issue here at the University of Rochester was never over whether Mr. Nixon should speak at this year's commencement exercises. The controversy did center about the awarding of a supposed honorary degree, for the former vice president at this year's graduation ceremony. 170 arts and science faculty members, about three quarters of the active academic staff members of the school, had voted for a resolution denouncing the awarding of the degree to Mr. Nixon.
Professor Joseph Frank
Well, we feel that this university has been excellent in terms of its defense of academic freedom, its defense of the right of free inquiry, and for the university to bestow its highest honor on a man who for years has fought against academic freedom, and has fought against it as recently as the New Jersey gubernatorial campaign of 1965 shouldn't get an honorary degree.
Josh Darsa
Specifically, what did Mr. Nixon do?
Professor Joseph Frank
Well, our most recent evidence against him is his urging that Professor Genovese be fired from Rutgers for taking an unpopular stand on the Vietnam War, for congratulating the Board of Trustees at Drew for, Drew University, for firing a professor there who supported Genovese.
Josh Darsa
A good number of students at the school were as aroused to some of their teachers. Nearly half of the senior class reportedly had signed a protest petition. Is there anyone here are there any among you who are in favor of the school's position in inviting Mr. Nixon to come here to get an honorary degree will you please speak out if there is anyone? (Laughter)
You mean to say you are all in favor of what the faculty has done and going on record opposed to Mr. Nixon's coming here to get an honorary degree?
Student
When dealing in politics, one has to be practical. He was supporting his party's nominee the best way possible. Whether or not his stand is quite as sound as everyone has made it against academic freedom. is, I think would be in question because I don't know. Mr. Nixon, I'm sure isn't that much against freedom of the press and academic freedom, all things.
Darsa
The final irony to the story, the choice of a topic for Mr. Nixon's speech at this year's graduation exercises. Academic freedom. Josh Darsa, CBS News at the University of Rochester.
Roger Mudd
Nixon has issued a statement saying he has not accepted any honorary degrees since he left the vice presidency and he's glad they're willing to hear him talk in Rochester.
Richard Nixon is speaking in New Orleans tonight ostensibly to raise money for state Republicans but with a full day of appearances around the city. He looked very much like a candidate running for president. Meanwhile, a campus dispute is swirling about Mr. Nixon at the University of Rochester. CBS News reporter Josh Darsa has the story.
Josh Darsa
The issue here at the University of Rochester was never over whether Mr. Nixon should speak at this year's commencement exercises. The controversy did center about the awarding of a supposed honorary degree, for the former vice president at this year's graduation ceremony. 170 arts and science faculty members, about three quarters of the active academic staff members of the school, had voted for a resolution denouncing the awarding of the degree to Mr. Nixon.
Professor Joseph Frank
Well, we feel that this university has been excellent in terms of its defense of academic freedom, its defense of the right of free inquiry, and for the university to bestow its highest honor on a man who for years has fought against academic freedom, and has fought against it as recently as the New Jersey gubernatorial campaign of 1965 shouldn't get an honorary degree.
Josh Darsa
Specifically, what did Mr. Nixon do?
Professor Joseph Frank
Well, our most recent evidence against him is his urging that Professor Genovese be fired from Rutgers for taking an unpopular stand on the Vietnam War, for congratulating the Board of Trustees at Drew for, Drew University, for firing a professor there who supported Genovese.
Josh Darsa
A good number of students at the school were as aroused to some of their teachers. Nearly half of the senior class reportedly had signed a protest petition. Is there anyone here are there any among you who are in favor of the school's position in inviting Mr. Nixon to come here to get an honorary degree will you please speak out if there is anyone? (Laughter)
You mean to say you are all in favor of what the faculty has done and going on record opposed to Mr. Nixon's coming here to get an honorary degree?
Student
When dealing in politics, one has to be practical. He was supporting his party's nominee the best way possible. Whether or not his stand is quite as sound as everyone has made it against academic freedom. is, I think would be in question because I don't know. Mr. Nixon, I'm sure isn't that much against freedom of the press and academic freedom, all things.
Darsa
The final irony to the story, the choice of a topic for Mr. Nixon's speech at this year's graduation exercises. Academic freedom. Josh Darsa, CBS News at the University of Rochester.
Roger Mudd
Nixon has issued a statement saying he has not accepted any honorary degrees since he left the vice presidency and he's glad they're willing to hear him talk in Rochester.
Duration
00:03:16
Files
Citation
“News report on Nixon honorary degree,” RBSCP Exhibits, accessed December 22, 2024, https://rbscpexhibits.lib.rochester.edu/items/show/7659.