Whether it was housing, busing or course content, times were often strained around Oneonta State, among academic news in the early months of 1971.
As The Oneonta Star of Feb. 16, 1971 reported, “Off-campus housing discrimination against students was charged at the first meeting of the year of Mayor James Lettis’ College Advisory Board last night.
“Robert Harrington, president of the SUCO Student Association described what he said he believes is discrimination against students who want to rent off-campus apartments as being ‘very disturbing, especially with the shortage of student housing.’
“The complaint was raised at a meeting between city officials and student spokesmen from SUCO and Hartwick College.
“Students present also voiced a desire for daily bus service between the campuses and the downtown area.
“’There are at least 2,000 (off-campus) students who have to get from town to campus every day,’ Harrington said, adding this ‘doesn’t include students who live on campus and want to go downtown.”
Both housing and bus service to the campuses were eventually improved.
Meanwhile, state government had some concerns about what may be offered in courses at campuses across the SUNY system, including Oneonta.
As The Star of Feb. 2 reported, “The head of a legislative office seeking detailed information on course content at State University colleges has described Dr. Clifford Craven’s refusal to submit the requested information as ‘narrow and intolerant.’
“The comment by Nicholas D. Cammero, director of the Office of Legislative Research, came in a letter to Dr. Craven, acting president of Oneonta.
“The letter was a reply to one from Dr. Craven, dated January 25, in which the acting SUCO president said, ‘I have no immediate intention of trying to gather the information for submission to your office.’ Dr. Carven labelled the ‘tone and nature’ of Cammero’s request ‘extremely ill-advised.’
Cammero’s request was for copies of the syllabus of ‘each course currently taught or offered in American history, political science (including any curriculum dealing with ‘revolution,’ ‘the Establishment,’ etc.) and the social sciences (with particular attention to sociology and urban studies).’
“The Legislature’s chief researcher also said he wanted ‘an indication of how the course content was selected, prepared and approved, and what provision, if any, exists for systematic review of such materials.’
“Twice in the letter, Cammero said the request was made in behalf of ‘a member’ of the Legislature.” Assemblyman Edwyn Mason of Hobart had made the request, as had a few others.
“Mason told The Star he was one of the members. In explaining why the information was sought, Mason said, ‘we have received a great many reports of subversive or anti-American teachings at State University colleges. These people are on the public payroll and the public is entitled to know the truth.’
Elsewhere on campus, The Star of Feb. 4 reported, “Officials of the State University system have mysteriously postponed the construction of a $5 million health and physical education building at Oneonta State for an indefinite period.” State budget tightening across the SUNY system was the cause of the postponement. The project had also come under fire from Assemblyman Edwyn Mason as unnecessary. This project finally came to fruition in 2000, with the construction of the Alumni Field House.
Student activity fees were under scrutiny at Oneonta State, and Star readers found out on Feb. 5, “Hopes of abolishing the compulsory student activity fees at SUCO, dimmed considerably last night as the result of a student election on the campus, coupled with an opinion — seeking proposal on the question, were counted.
“The proposal, designed to measure student opposition to the compulsory fees, was defeated by a margin of nearly 10-to-1.
State University system trustees have said that the student body at each college may, through its representatives, fix annual student fees up to a maximum of $70. The present fee at SUCO, fixed by the student Senate, is $32.50 a semester.
“The compulsory aspect of these fees have been the subject of attack by several state legislators, including Assemblyman Edwyn Mason, of Hobart.”
On Saturday, winter excitement around Worcester in 1931.