By John Higgins, BA ’23, History and Political Science, Digital Initiatives Student Assistant
The 1970s witnessed a thunderous start to a decade that particularly left a mark on United States college and university systems. Ohio University was no stranger to the national student movement in protest of U.S. involvement in Vietnam and various other social issues. The beginning of the nationwide protests broadly began around the same time. Much like other universities, student activism at Ohio University increased in the early weeks of May 1970 following the shootings at Kent State.
By exploring OHIO’s campus security records dating from April to May 1970, this moment in University history can be traced from the unique perspective of the administration, which ultimately led to their decision to close the university for the remainder of the spring term. This decision was announced on May 15th by University President Claude R. Sowle saying, “sad indeed that this inspiring period in the history of Ohio University must end in such an unfortunate way” (The Post, May 15, 1970). Shortly before this statement, 1,500 Ohio National Guardsmen had been ordered to the campus to ensure the peaceful departure of students.
This is the first post in a blog series that will revisit this tumultuous time, week by week, as it unraveled in 1970.