Jan. 28, 2004
By Kelly Durso
The 1960s were a turbulent time for Ohio University. The university was flourishing under the leadership of Ohio University's 15th president, Dr. Vernon Roger Alden, but at the same time he faced protests from employees and students.
"More than any other period in our history, it is essential for all of us to understand the components of change. We must prepare to manage change; otherwise change will manage us," Alden says in the beginning of the chapter in Ohio University's bicentennial book, "Ohio University: The Spirit of a Singular Place."
Alden, whose tenure spanned from 1962 to 1969, came to Ohio University from the Harvard Business School where he held an MBA and was associate dean. Alden stated in his inaugural address that he wanted to create "a climate in which the best minds are stretched and superior students aspire to even greater accomplishment."
Alden saw many goals met in his eight years as president. His administration saw a doubling of enrollment and faculty from 13,600 to more than 22,000 students and a great expansion of the campus, including South Green and the Convocation Center. Alden was an advocate for faculty research and innovative academic programs. His administration saw the development of the Honors Tutorial College, the bachelor of General Studies and the Black Studies Institute.
However, Alden's tenure saw adversity from employees and students. The University's nonacademic employees wanted to form a union. When they approached Alden, he said he needed to seek the attorney general's opinion and, when he didn't, the employees informed Alden they would strike. On March 5, 1967, Ohio University's nonacademic employees did just that. Students and faculty supported the strikers' cause and the strike forced the University to close early for spring break. In the end, the employees were granted their union and the strike only lasted 11 days.
That was not the only unrest Alden would see. On May 19, 1968, what started out as a friendly protest turned into a massive demonstration against the administration. The protests spanned three days in the spring with a list of almost 100 demands signed by 3,000 students that was presented to Alden. The protests eventually led to Alden's resignation in September of 1968, saying the University was at a turning point where future goals and priorities might best be set by a new president.
Alden will discuss these events and more on Feb. 2, at 2:30 p.m. in the Friends of the Library room in Alden Library. For more information, about Alden's presidency or the bicentennial, go to the bicentennial Web site at www.ohio.edu/bicentennial or purchase "Ohio University: The Spirit of a Singular Place."
Kelly Durso is a student writer for University Communications and Marketing.
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