Audio-visual recordings created by campus departments, students, and faculty. May include public relations, sports, and other departments. May also include recordings produced by the ITS department, when that department was involved in media production for the campus.
[00:00:19] Lew Litze, international president of the Cal Poly Alumni Association, welcomes the audience to the Poly Grove [00:00:31] Litze gives the history of the grove [00:00:51] Litze tells story of the first graduating class in 1906 planting the first oak tree in the grove [00:01:41] Litze reflects on how large the university has grown since 1906 [00:02:15] Litze talks about the current student body's awareness of ecology and environment [00:02:38] Litze speaks on the roles of women at Cal Poly [00:03:32] Litze says that the Alumni Association is proud to place the plaque honoring the original 8 graduates that worked hard to organize the Cal Poly Alumni Association [00:04:40] Litze introduces President Robert E. Kennedy [00:05:14] Kennedy talks about students planting trees all over campus [00:05:57] Kennedy says he would not cut trees down to make space for a building
[00:00:00] Audience chatter before speaker takes the podium [00:00:26] Howard West, Associate Dean of Resources and Planning and Educational Director of Poly House welcomes audience to the ceremony [00:01:45] West talks about when President Kennedy told him about the concept and potential activities of the Poly House [00:02:33] West talks about the work done by the Poly House Committee Advisors to make the House a reality [00:02:57] West introduces the Poly House Committee Advisors and various campus departments [00:04:32] West introduces President Kennedy [00:05:18] Kennedy names special guests that are present in the audience [00:09:30] Kennedy talks about wanting to find a way to use the house as an educational, cultural, and social asset for the university as a whole [00:11:20] Kennedy thanks more people for their contributions to the project [00:12:37] Kennedy talks about the difficulties of remodeling a house compared to rebuilding one [00:13:12] Kennedy talks about the errors and corrections that happened throughout the "real learning by doing" experience that remodeling the house was [00:15:20] Kennedy calls out people in audience for their close supervision and involvement on the project [00:17:53] West and Kennedy unveil the plaque [00:18:30] Howard and Kennedy read the dedication on the plaque with the history of Cal Poly Presidents living in the house and the new mission of the house [00:20:30] West reminds the audience of another founders day activity and opens the house to tours [00:21:22] West gives a closing statement
[00:10] Raymond DeGroote, leader of SNAP, along with other student groups, asks Cal Poly President Robert E. Kennedy to answer questions about controversies on campus [01:00] DeGroote introduces the students representing the various organizations [01:19] Kennedy says a few statements about the format and major issues of the discussion before the discussion begins. [01:53] Kennedy says the students' main issues they wanted to talk about are foreign student tuition, Vrana case, Dr. Rizzo case, and the resident halls open/closed door controversy [03:57] Hasan Fahdrad, Leader of Iranian Student Association, asks Kennedy questions about foreign student tuition and other issues related to foreign students [05:30] Kennedy explains the technicalities of the out of state and foreign student tuition fee increases [07:12] Kennedy answers questions about foreign students night performance [09:31] John Mason, President of the Ecology Action Committee, asks questions about Professor Vrana's evaluation for tenure [10:10] Kennedy says Vrana was first denied tenure in 1969, but given a 5th year of employment and was not to be evaluated in the 5th year [11:55] Kennedy tells the story of Vrana's case chronologically [13:40] Kennedy tells of the University accreditors for the school of engineering saying that not enough instructors in the physics department had Doctorates to receive accreditation in the future [15:20] Kennedy says he could not give any more members of the department tenure until they had received the Doctorate [15:57] Kennedy reaffirms that this was the only reason Vrana was not given tenure, not other issues [16:20] Kennedy says Vrana filed a grievance and was sat before a board chosen by the academic senate who decided he should not be given tenure [18:56] Kennedy tells the manner in which he agreed to offer tenure to Vrana if he attains his Doctorate [21:09] Mason asks Kennedy why instructors in the English and Business departments were granted tenure with only Bachelor's degrees [21:26] Kennedy says that each department has its own minimum academic requirements for a faculty member to be granted tenure [22:58] Kennedy says that Clyde Fisher gave him the recommendation to not grant tenure to Vrana long before Vrana spoke against the SLO County Development Association [23:12] cut between side A and side B [23:50] Kennedy says that he and the faculty department agreed when Vranna gets his Doctorate he will be offered employment at the same position he currently holds [24:22] Kennedy states that it is not up to the president to give tenure, but the Board of Trustees operating within the rules of regulations regarding tenure [25:10] Kennedy reaffirms that Vrana is assured a job when he comes back but Kennedy cannot legally give instant tenure [26:16] Vranna says his letter from Kennedy does say he would reemployed but did not mention tenure upon return [26:34] Kennedy gives same reply as earlier, that he would give tenure if legally possible [28:57] Kennedy says that faculty members should abide by the political code of ethics and limitations set by the Academic Senate and The American Association of College and University Professors [29:39] Kennedy emphasizes faculty responsibility in connection with freedom [31:25] Kennedy explains why the American Legion article was in Rizzo's personnel file [34:12] DeGroote asks Kennedy to denounce the American Legion article quoting Rizzo's comment from the Mustang Daily were the same as what emanates from Hanoi, Vietnam [35:00] DeGroote reads the article from the American Legion about a petition from Cal Poly Faculty to President Nixon which features quotes from Rizzo about US involvement in Vietnam [37:47] Rizzo asks Kennedy if he will publicly denounce the line in the American Legion article that states Rizzo's line emanates from Hanoi [39:05] Kennedy says he cannot denounce the line because he is not sure if it has never been said by someone who is in support of communism [39:18] Kennedy says the question is unfair because he cannot denounce only one portion of a statement [40:03] DeGroote asks why instructors cannot sit in on their own evaluation meetings [40:25] Kennedy says each department has specific procedures for evaluations [41:25] Dr. Ericson, Dean of the School of Communicative Arts and Humanities, states that the evaluation committee did not know about the American Legion newsletter and so it was not part of their evaluation of Rizzo [41:47] Ericson says that it was his own responsibility to put things in personnel files and it is does not matter if President feels they are appropriate or not [42:37] Ericson states that there is a letter from a similar organization in his own file at Central Washington State College from debating against US involvement in Vietnam that squarely lists him as communist [44:27] Kennedy explained the procedure that Rizzo went through in his grievance and case evaluation process [45:35] Kennedy says that the department procedure excludes the people being considered to be involved with the tenured members in the meeting unless they are called in to the evaluation meeting by the members [47:45] Ericson talks about Rizzo's political activities in his first year teaching [49:14] Ericson says Rizzo's department voted him to be retained and promoted after his first year teaching [50:03] Ericson states Rizzo refused to teach courses assigned by his department head in his second year teaching [51:04] Ericson states that any instructor, even with tenure, who refuses to teach freshman courses will not receive his support for retention
[00:03] Rizzo states the terms he specified in his letter of acceptance [01:44] Rizzo read a quote from a tenured member of the English Department saying his liberalism was on a crash course with Cal Poly's conservatism [02:52] Rizzo asks why anything belongs in someones file that does not retain to academic performance [03:45] Rizzo asks why his political activities should be mentioned in the letter recommending his promotion [04:35] Kennedy dispels the idea that this is a direct confrontation between him and Rizzo [06:38] Kennedy says that the members of the department were the ones who voted and decided on this issue [07:10] Rizzo starts criticizing the majority of the Cal Poly Administration, the majority of the tenured faculty for having a 'locked in system' [08:35] Kennedy asks the students to return to the format that they agreed to carry out this discussion [08:45] Kennedy offers Rizzo a political form to discuss his ideas further [09:40] DeGroote asks Kennedy what he has to hide [10:23] Female faculty from the English/Speech Department speaks [12:44] DeGroote asks again why members cannot sit in on their evaluation meeting [15:00] Small cut between Side A and Side B of tape [15:06] Kennedy says the committees followed the procedures that were developed statewide by numerous state colleges [16:10] Kennedy calls the situation that Rizzo agrees to teach freshman courses an 'after the fact' situation [16:54] Raymond DeGroote asks if instructors are allowed to use supplemental readings [17:40] Kennedy refuses to denounce the actions of the department about books [19:13] Raymond DeGroote talks about the issue of students and faculty not being allowed to print materials on campus with their ideas on it [20:01] DeGroote comments that students cannot publish things free of charge [21:05] Kennedy invites, Michael Dylan, the representative of the ad-hoc dorm residence group to ask his questions [21:45] Dylan reads statistics about students who favored close door visitation and unlimited visiting hours [23:04] Dylan asks why the school has 'to play the babysitting role' for students by segregating housing by gender [24:00] Kennedy says the sent a questionnaire to students and parents for their opinions on the housing contract [25:45] Dylan asks how the university will enforce the segregation of students' whose parents voted against the student's decision [26:56] Dylan asks why students cannot hang decorations in the dorm [27:30] Kennedy says he would like to ban alcohol and billboards but cant because its not up to him as other people don't agree [28:20] Kennedy pleads ignorance on the question about hanging things in dorm screens
[00:00:03] KCPR test [00:02:03] Audience member says Kennedy should step in to prevent the shutting out of a qualified instructor [00:02:53] Kennedy says he has not always accepted the recommendations for tenure made by tenured faculty [00:06:44] Kennedy reads a document that states that faculty status such as reappointment and tenure is primarily a faculty responsibility [00:07:45] Kennedy says the document says the president must at times by required to interfere in these decisions for the benefit of the department [00:09:26] Kennedy talks about the "typical" political climate of the San Luis Obispo community compared to the rest of the country [00:13:04] Kennedy talks about the ROTC and dissent on campus [00:14:12] Kennedy explains the process of assessing an instructor for tenure [00:19:15] Kennedy says that after he receives the recommendations from the Dean, the tenured members of the department, the department head, and the faculty personnel review committee, that he has the final say on granting tenure [00:20:07] Dean Fisher talks about how different departments decided their own procedure for evaluating instructors for tenure [00:21:45] Kennedy reads from the College Administration Manual that has rules and regulations about personnel evaluation [00:24:20] Kennedy highlights that the Academic Senate and faculty representatives have read through and agreed with these regulations [00:25:15] Speaker clarifies what the Academic Senate is for the audience [00:26:43] Kennedy says the faculty member being evaluated signs the evaluation indicating that he has been told what is in the evaluation [00:28:00] Kennedy says that he told Vrana to file a grievance if he did not agree with the final decision for tenure [00:29:20] Kennedy says that he is surprised by the committee's decision to uphold the Vrana decision [00:30:22] Kennedy rereads the categories for evaluation accepted by the Academic Senate [00:33:09] Kennedy talks about his push for more student involvement in evaluation and the Assist Program [00:37:25] Kennedy talks about his Doctoral Dissertation about a decision process for the State College System [00:39:15] Kennedy talks about the process of obtaining his Doctorate and teaching/working at the same time [00:44:15] Kennedy starts to talk about the college's accreditation in 5 engineering programs [00:44:54] Kennedy talks about the exit interview with the accreditation team that is not included in the official report which revealed weaknesses in the support programs for engineering such as physics and chemistry [00:46:06] Kennedy talks about receiving criticism from legislators for introducing Linus Pauling at Pomona because he was on the Un-American Activities list [00:48:17] Kennedy tells the story about how he was unable to hire Pauling as a faculty member because Kennedy was unable to provide him with enough space to continue Pauling's research [00:50:50] Kennedy explains what the 5th notice year is [00:54:56] Fisher explains the process of recruiting Mulenar as he was working on his dissertation, who never finished his work despite promising to finish it year after year [00:59:00] Fisher says the Doctorate is the degree that is required at most institutions to get a job [00:59:57] Fisher explains the importance of having a first-rate degree upon graduation [01:01:08] Kennedy explains the different types of accreditation that the university and its various areas can receive [01:02:15] small cut between side A and side B of the cassette [01:03:00] Kennedy talks about the importance of accreditation and the university's reputation among employers [01:04:16] Kennedy says his responsibility is to maintain the school as a top tier reputation [01:04:58] Kennedy says that there are a number of people that only want to see the President fall off of his supposed pedestal [01:05:30] Kennedy talks about his rise through the ranks at Cal Poly [01:06:40] Kennedy says his responsibility is not to protect one employee's right to continued employment, but to maintain the excellence of the institution [01:09:46] Fisher talks about what accreditation teams look at when evaluating an institution [01:11:46] Fisher continues to speak about Mulenar and tenure [01:14:19] Fisher explains what a Ph.D shows about a man [01:16:08] Kennedy says that the institution does not usually hire people who accept their job with conditions [01:17:54] Ericson talks about what Rizzo was told to do his particular teaching schedule [01:21:45] Kennedy says that they don't write letters as anything other than good faith [01:22:15] Kennedy talks about how presumptuous it is to not want to teach freshman courses [01:24:08] Kennedy reminds the students that it was the tenured members of the faculty who wrote the recommendation to the administration [01:24:27] Kennedy says there is no change in the position of the tenured members of the faculty [01:27:00] Kennedy says that Rizzo will cooperate only because he faced backlash from not teaching freshman classes [01:30:48] Fisher explains channels to which students can make their voices heard about instructors that may not like [01:32:55] They talk about the fairness board for venting complaints for students who feel they are being treated unfairly [01:35:35] Kennedy defines what tenure means [01:39:39] A student comments how the letter from Rizzo about freshman courses went unchallenged [01:40:53] the student says this makes this situation seem more like the result of a personality clash [01:42:46] Ericson says that the letter sent by Rizzo is not the contract that he is functioning under but the contract he signed during the past Spring [01:47:01] Kennedy says Rizzo was very uptight about having to do things that the students say he would do so willingly [01:47:40] Kennedy says Rizzo started to expound the issues with his colleagues into his classes [01:50:51] Ericson says that he heard Rizzo was too concerned with writing a book to teach freshman course and thus questions his concern for students [01:53:50] Student says he cannot understand why Rizzo is being fired over freshman classes [01:54:49] Kennedy explains that Rizzo is not being fired, but professors are to be evaluated and reappointed each year when they have not been granted tenure [01:56:24] Kennedy explains that the tenured faculty members did not recommend Rizzo for reappointment during a probationary year in order to best suit the department's needs [01:57:09] Kennedy talks about how much protection employees have in the academic environment compared to other industries [02:00:20] Kennedy warns about the problems possibly created by setting the precedent of the president the power to overrule faculty decisions for any reason
[00:00:00] Beginning of conversation between Robert Kennedy, Clyde Fisher, Dean Ericson, Fred Rizzo, Ralph Vrana, and a few other faculty members [00:01:15] Vrana says he will accept the terms of the public discussion of his case [00:01:58] Vrana asks if he can ask a question about which texts an instructor can require for their class [00:03:00] Kennedy says that faculty teaching the same course have an obligation to work together and agree which texts they are going to use for the class to cover the agreed upon requirements [00:05:15] Kennedy explains the unfair financial obligation for students when instructors use additional books in their class [00:06:40] Rizzo says he feels that he is being censored being forced to use only specific texts [00:07:30] Kennedy says he can prove there are no contradiction in his position [00:08:33] Kennedy explains sometimes the faculty have not agreed on a specific text to use in a course [00:09:20] Kennedy says he can understand Rizzo's position as an English instructor, but the situation is not the same in other fields such as math or science [00:10:56] Rizzo disagrees with Kennedy and says that little difference would be made in math and science classes if they used different texts [00:12:36] Kennedy says he is not in a position to evaluate the quality of text that every instructor uses, but the other faculty members in that field are [00:13:38] Vrana asks how much influence Kennedy has on what is put in the Mustang Daily newspaper [00:14:40] Kennedy says he opposed a trustee committee that tried to put restrictions on what political matters could go into college newspapers [00:16:25] Kennedy says he defended the freedom of press of a student publication, yet the Mustang Daily did not write about the story [00:16:55] Vrana asks if Kennedy or any other administration faculty have conferences with the editors of the Mustang Daily [00:18:36] Vrana asks about an instructor who does not have a Ph.D, or a degree in English, yet Kennedy overruled the chairman and dean giving him tenure [00:21:10] Vrana says that this instructor did not have to pursue further degrees to be granted tenure [00:22:20] Kennedy says they should try to avoid bringing in other cases [00:23:03] Kennedy does not want to violate the confidence of other personnel cases [00:25:10] Vrana pushes the argument that he has not been released because he does not have a doctorate [00:27:18] Kennedy says he had recommendations all the way to grant tenure [00:27:56] Kennedy asks Vrana to tell him his academic background about his degrees [00:29:44] Kennedy says he wants Vrana back on the Cal Poly faculty [00:30:15] Vrana says the total sum of all of his course work is equivalent to just under two doctorates [00:32:30] Kennedy says his greatest concern and motivation for his actions is the need to importance of accreditation for the department [00:35:28] Kennedy says the institution has never required instructors to publish work in order to keep their jobs [00:37:14] Kennedy says he has offered Vrana reemployment without change in rank or salary within three years [00:39:48] Someone asks what the difference between the Vrana case and the other instructor's case [00:41:15] Fisher explains why he made his recommendation against tenure in Vrana's case [00:43:30] Fisher says the primary reason for Vrana's employment has disappeared [00:46:24] cut between side A and side B of tape [00:48:53] Vrana says there is supposed to be a broadening of courses fit to his skill set, contra what Fisher said [00:49:53] Fisher says there are already tenured members of the physics department that have Vrana's skills so it does not make sense to add another tenured member [00:50:43] Fisher says there is no evidence of what Vrana says regarding an interdisciplinary major [00:52:30] someone says that they and Kennedy need to leave to other appointments
[00:00:00] Kennedy give the knowledge he has gained from reports on the issue so far [00:01:33] Kennedy invites Clyde Fisher to give a statement about the instructors not being retained in the school of science and mathematics [00:03:50] Fisher says that upon not receiving a recommendation of reappointment, Dr. Williams sent in his letter of resignation [00:04:30] Fisher says that no processing action was necessary or required for Williams regarding the 1971-1972 school year [00:05:05] Fisher says that he did not endorse the recommendation for tenure for Vrana [00:05:34] Fisher says he did not support a move for tenure, but recommended a full notice year of employment for Vrana [00:06:30] Fisher says the grievance committee recommendation supported the administration's decision to not grant tenure [00:07:23] Fisher says Vrana research came subsequent to the decision to not grant tenure [00:07:42] Kennedy gives his perspective about these two cases [00:08:46] Kennedy says he wrote a letter of recommendation for Williams [00:10:40] Kennedy says the faculty needed more Ph.D members according to the accreditation committee [00:12:40] Kennedy says the president shall make decisions if there are compelling circumstances to improve a program [00:13:12] Kennedy says it is not his policy to discuss personnel matters publically [00:14:45] Dr. Ericson gives his statement about Fred Rizzo [00:16:13] Ericson says the file that contained the American Legion newsletter was not available to the tenure faculty who voted against giving Rizzo tenure [00:17:11] Ericson says it was Rizzo's refusal to teach an assigned freshman course that directly led to his non-reappointment [00:18:44] Dr. Cummins begins to give his statement [00:19:11] Cummins was the Dean of the School of Applied Arts for Rizzo [00:20:10] Cummins says he made it clear to Rizzo the policy that all members of the English department must instruct one or more freshman course a quarter [00:20:40] Cummins says Rizzo showed no apparent dissatisfaction about his previous or forthcoming teaching assignments from the year 1969-1970 [00:21:09] Cummins says it was not until winter 1971 that Rizzo expressed dissatisfaction over being assigned to teach freshman classes along with other instructors [00:21:49] Cummins says he had not discussed the American Legion newsletter with anyone [00:22:21] Cummins says the reason he included the newsletter in Rizzo's file was that it was an information file [00:23:50] Kennedy says Richard Greene was hired for only 1 year and his contract was schedule to terminate June 1971 [00:25:59] Cummins says that Ericson probably knows more about the dialogue involving Rizzo agreeing to teach freshman courses [00:27:20] Ericson says that Rizzo was informed to see his department head about his particular teaching assignments [00:28:45] A reporter asks Kennedy if he will attend any of the upcoming SNAP meetings [00:28:55] Kennedy says he does not think he will attend the SNAP meetings [00:30:45] (small break between side A and side B of tape) [00:31:07] Kennedy is asked about the way that faculty is evaluating [00:31:38] Kennedy talks about how he has already been trying to get a student evaluation program off the ground [00:32:40] Kennedy says some of the liberal approaches to student involvement may be declared inoperable soon [00:33:50] Kennedy says at the most recent meeting of the Board of Trustees adopted a new program that did not allow student involvement in evaluation [00:36:25] Kennedy expresses his thoughts on the potential rally being organized [00:39:25] Ericson says he does not want to discuss this personnel matters with a mob [00:40:55] Ericson responds to a question about the political implications in the Rizzo case [00:43:12] Kennedy says it is inappropriate for Rizzo to go into his file and release the information inside to the press [00:44:00] Kennedy says this will lead to returning to closed file systems or risk undermining the evaluation process [00:45:13] Ericson says that the year after Rizzo's greatest political activity, he was rehired and recommended him for promotion [00:46:10] Ericson says the Board of Trustees have rules that allow people who put things into the file to be able to withdraw them [00:47:00] Ericson says the only thing removed was a laudatory letter from students about Rizzo [00:48:35] Kennedy says the open file policy is an optional policy at the local level [00:50:53] Kennedy describes the new statewide academic grievance procedure [00:54:45] Kennedy says the steps of the procedure were followed in order [00:55:32] Kennedy says Rizzo can go beyond campus for a hearing [00:56:08] Kennedy says he would welcome an AUP investigation team [00:57:47] Kennedy talks about when the president had a lot more say in personnel matters
0:00:00 Edison Uno is introduced to speak on Japanese-Americans 0:00:32 Edison introduces hisself and thanks the audience for their patience 0:01:27 Begins to share the history of Asian-Americans, mainly Japanese-Americans, and their relation to SLO County and California 0:06:31 Discusses the history of Japanese-Americans in the US, and how they have consistently faced institutionalized racism and xenophobia 0:14:25 Continues speaking on institutionalized racism and begins speaking on internment camps and the shockwave they left on Japanese-Americans 0:22:10 Connects Japanese internment to other instances throughout American history which he highlights as shameful reminders of man's inhumanity 0:25:18 Says that all things considered, San Luis Obispo should have an apology in order for the treatment of Asian-Americans 0:26:57 Opens to Q&A 0:31:57 End audio
0:00:00 Q&A from side one of Edison Uno's speech continues regarding Japanese-American citizens 0:00:38 Gives his thoughts on bilingual education 0:03:25 Asked about influence of internment on the future of Japanese-Americans 0:06:00 Asked if this could happen again and what do to if it does; accurately predicts anti-Arab-American discrimination under the assumption the US becomes involved in Middle Eastern affairs 0:09:35 Asked what the policy towards Vietnamese refugees should be 0:17:00 Speaks on the importance of Japanese-Americans not being highlighted as the "model minority" 0:20:01 End audio
[00:00:07] Introduction of Cal Poly President Robert E. Kennedy [00:00:27] Kennedy addresses the audience and those who worked to open the building [00:01:38] Kennedy thanks former Cal Poly President Julian McPhee's foresight on the idea of a college union by beginning a fund from sales from the bookstore [00:03:20] Kennedy talks about how McPhee refused to spend the fund on other, more immediate projects [00:04:48] Kennedy tells the story of faith of 3 nuns who ran out of gasoline on the highway [00:06:58] Kennedy discusses how the campus has already had a College Union 'in a sense' [00:09:10] Kennedy says the key to the College Union is campus unity [00:11:45] Kennedy thanks members of the audience responsible for helping create the college union [00:13:54] Kennedy highlights that Julian McPhee did not use any state funds to finance the union [00:14:30] Kennedy talks about McPhee's faith in work and balance with play [00:16:50] Kennedy honors McPhee's philosophy of life of servitude [00:19:10] Benediction prayer [00:20:20] Conclusion of the formal ceremony