Susquehanna University - 1960 to 1969

On April 14, 1966, 450 students held a rally in front of Seibert Hall to protest the "suppression of student dissent by the administration". The principal grievances were invasion of privacy, the construction of a chapel rather than a library and the failure of the administration to acknowledge the concerns of students. The students chose a boycott of mandatory chapel as the the chief way to force change within the University. The boycott lasted a week until the University's board of directors intervened in an effort to open a dialogue between students and administration.

Times were changing in the 1960s and SU students began questioning the purpose and value of "outdated" regulations. Dressing for dinner had been a long standing rule at Susquehanna, established at a time when dinner was an individually-served affair. With dinner now served cafeteria-style, students requested that a modified dress code be given a chance to succeed.

In the fall of 1969, a number of Susquehanna University faculty and students participated in a march on Washington calling for an end to the war in Vietnam. This was one of many protests during the later years of the war.

When a female student wanted to leave the campus before 7:00 am or after 7:30pm, a sign out sheet had to be completed. The student had to provide her destination and the time she intended to return. If the student found that she was going to be late, she was required to call the head resident. If she was more then 15 minutes late, the student would have to appear in front of the Women's Judiciary Board. These rules did not apply to the male students. In protest of the rules, student Kathleen Moriarty refused to sign either in or out. She also circulated a petition asking women students for their support in abolishing the sign-out procedures as she considered them to be a blatant double standard.

Led by student Dave Hesel, 361 students participated in a silent march on Selinsgrove Hall. Nearly all wore signs expressing the sentiment " I am concerned." The group met behind the Benjamin Apple Theater and peacefully made its way to Selinsgrove Hall. Once there, the students sang one verse and the chorus of the Alma Mater and walked back to Bogar Hall in an orderly manner. A letter sent to Dr. Weber prior to the march explained that the protest was meant to address only general attitudes and not specific problems at that time.

In the Spring of 1969, Sunbury held a "Loyalty Day" parade sponsored by the local VFW. Thirty to forty Susquehanna University students attended the parade with the intent of holding a sort of counter demonstration. The students felt that an individual's loyalty to their country should not blind them to what they see as the faults of their nation. Once there, students were greeted by police, fire engines with high pressure hoses directed at them , and onlookers yelling bitter profanity. The incident is described in this Crusader article.

In January of 1969, under the guidance of Professor Robert Schanke, "The Susquehanna Players", performed the protest play "Viet Rock" in the Benjamin Apple Theater in Bogar Hall. The bold language and sexual references of the play made it a "happening" event on campus. Although University President Gustave Weber didn't object to the play being presented on campus, he did object to the request to have Susquehanna University sponsor a tour of the production. Students responsed to this by holding a demonstration, as shown in this protest announcement. Later, permission was given to a touring production of "Viet Rock", but not as an official function of Susquehanna University.