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Do you remember what was happening on campus, in Chicago, around the world, and in arts and culture during your years in the College?
- The Class of 1972 entered the University in the midst of a housing shortage crisis; the housing office had to create emergency accommodations for 32 freshmen, and 200 students staged a “tent-in” to protest University urban renewal policies and the lack of adequate student housing. A security guard was killed near the Law School during orientation week.
- In November 1968, Edward Levi (PhB’32, JD’35) became the eighth president of the University (the first alumnus to be named president), succeeding George Wells Beadle, who had served since 1961. In concert with Levi’s inauguration (during which 150 students protested the Vietnam War), the cornerstone of the $20.5 million Regenstein Library was installed.
- Stagg Field had been demolished in 1967 to make way for the Regenstein. Construction, which was halted in August 1969 over charges of racial discrimination in construction hiring, was completed in late 1970.
- 1969 was Wayne C. Booth’s last year as Dean of the College; he was succeeded by Roger Hildebrand. In fall 1970, in an effort to make the College more manageable and to provide undergraduates with more individual attention, the entering class was cut from 730 to 500.
- 40% of the Class of 1972 departed before graduating. While administrators cited a national trend, students claimed a dislike for the University’s academic programs and pretensions and, more commonly, the absence of an active social life. Tuition in 1971-1972 was $2,475.
- These were years of intense activism on campus. In January 1969, students protested the decision not to rehire assistant sociology professor Marlene Dixon, noted for her radical outlook, by organizing sit-ins and rallies. 400 students occupied the Administration Building for 16 days while 800 more gathered outside on the quads. President Levi refused to call in the police and let the demonstrators sit it out, until Dixon finally turned down the one-year terminal re-appointment offered by the University. Campus protest, highlighted by an unsuccessful strike of classes, marked the rest of the school year, as 42 students were expelled and another 81 suspended for their part in the sit-in.
- In February 1969, the University announced the creation of a $250,000 fellowship program for black students in the four graduate divisions.
- In May 1969, football regained varsity status for the first time since its abolition in 1939, after students petitioned for a return of the sport. A large kazoo, dubbed “Big Ed” in honor of President Levi, was paraded on the football field during half-time.
- 180 individuals took part as Students for Non-Violent Action held a co-ed skinny dip in the pool at Ida Noyes in February 1970. The group parodied student life and the 1960s, and 1,500 jammed Ida Noyes when it sponsored the first Lascivious Costume Ball in spring 1970.
- Student were active in protesting campus issues, ranging from the lack of union-farmed produce in the dorm eateries to backing work actions taken by University Hospital nurses. Consumer advocate Ralph Nader spoke to a large assembly in fall 1970.
- Student sentiment against the Vietnam War brewed. Many found the war senseless and unjustifiable on moral or military grounds, and campus-wide “moratorium” events and protest activities were held throughout 1969-1972.
- In May 1970, in the wake of President Nixon’s decision to invade Cambodia and the killing of four students at Kent State University by Ohio National Guardsmen, an anti-war strike spread to more than 200 college campuses and the University suspended classes for part of the spring quarter.
- Actress and outspoken anti-war activist Jane Fonda spoke to a crowd of more than 1,000 students in January 1971. Proceeds from the event were used to help ex-GI organizations that opposed the Vietnam War.
- The University announced in early 1971 that it would not comply with the draft (not provide current registration and deferment information on students to government agencies).
- Much press was devoted to the matter of crime in Hyde Park-Kenwood after the October 1971 murder of Dale Keith Richmond (AB’71) and the April 1972 murder of a graduate student in psychology.
- In April 1972 the UC Press warehouse clearance book sale at Ida Noyes drew 7,000.
- Quantrell Award winners in 1972 were Richard W. Beals, Wayne Clayson Booth, Robert David Hummel, H. Gregg Lewis, and Richard W. Mintel.
- Chicago was in the news because of the Democratic National Convention in the summer of 1968. Up to 10,000 students and activists protested the Vietnam War, and violent clashes between the Chicago police and the protestors were common. A 15,000-person demonstration against police brutality later took place in downtown Chicago. The “Chicago 7,” student organizers charged with conspiracy to start rioting at the DNC, were acquitted of all charges in 1970.
- Throughout 1969, a group called the “Weathermen” advocated (and often practiced) violence against the Chicago Police Department. Their favored technique was ambushing patrol cars.
- Chicago Police raided University-affiliated Hillel House early in 1970 after the director, Rabbi Max Ticktin, was accused of heading an international abortion ring.
- Richard J. Daley was re-elected in early 1971 with some 70% of the popular vote.
- Richard Nixon was sworn in as President of the United States in January 1969. Peace talks in Paris began over ending of the war in Vietnam. Nevertheless, direct US involvement would last until 1972.
- Apollo 11 landed on the moon in July 1969. Neil Armstrong’s famous words as he set foot on the lunar surface: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
- In August 1969, almost 500,000 people congregated in rural New York for the Woodstock Music Festival, the culmination of 1960’s counterculture and high point of the “hippie era.”
- At Kent State University in Ohio, a student protest against the expanding war in Southeast Asia ended in bloodshed when National Guardsmen opened fire, killing four and injuring eight in May 1970.
- Congress created the Environmental Protection Agency in 1970.
- The 26th Amendment, which lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, was approved in mid-1971.
- In February 1972 President Nixon arrived in China for an unprecedented state visit with Chairman Mao Zedong. While no major agreements were reached during the summit, its occurrence ushered in a new world of diplomacy for the United States.
- Palestinian terrorists who were members of the Black September Organization attacked the Israeli team at the 1972 Summer Olympics. Two Israelis were murdered immediately, and nine were taken hostage. The hostages were killed when German troops attempted to capture the terrorists at the Munich airport.
- Books and Literature: Andromeda Strain, The Godfather, Slaughterhouse Five, Deliverance, Mr. Sammler’s Planet, Love Story, The Winds of War, Inside the Third Reich, Watership Down.
- MUSIC: Top albums included Pearl (Janis Joplin), Tommy (The Who), and Let It Be (Beatles), while top songs included “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” (Marvin Gaye), “Bad Moon Rising” (Creedence Clearwater Revival), “The Boxer” (Simon and Garfunkel), “Whole Lotta Love” (Led Zeppelin), and “American Pie” (Don McLean).
- TELEVISION: Masterpiece Theater, All in the Family, The Electric Company, Hawaii Five-0, Gunsmoke, The Mod Squad, Green Acres, Mission: Impossible, Sesame Street, M*A*S*H.
- MOVIES: Yellow Submarine, Romeo and Juliet, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Night of the Living Dead, A Clockwork Orange, The French Connection, Midnight Cowboy, Easy Rider, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, True Grit, Catch-22.
- SPORTS: The “Miracle” Mets won the World Series in 1969. The New York Knicks ended the Boston Celtics’ decade of dominance with an NBA title in 1970.
Researched by the University of Chicago, Development and Alumni Relations, 2006. The Chicago Maroon was the primary source for the “On Campus” section.