Box 12

Working Party on a Code of Conduct papers

Materials relating to the University’s Working Party on a Code of Conduct: an incomplete set of written submissions and its Progress Report, February-May 1969.

WPCC is identifiable as a forerunner of the ‘Membership Committee’, which attracted a large amount of hostility in the 1969-70 academic year and beyond for its actions in the Towers, as well as its expulsion of students on academic grounds. There is a longer note about the WPCC and developments around student discipline included in the outline of contents of Box 13.

Copies and revisions of disciplinary procedures and regulations for the Towers residences (December 1969-January 1970) are located in Box 13/WPCC. Box 15/Revolutions also includes materials on life in the residential Towers, the immediate context of the February 1969 ‘Festival of Revolution’, and the January occupation of the Printing and Computing Centres by students protesting the expulsion of Nigel Swingler and Raphael Halberstadt.

WPCC submissions folder (incomplete set of written submissions)

• Alan Gibson’s proposed reforms, revolving around appointment of practising lawyer to handle complaints and proceedings (Ref 19).
• Ref 20 is from a CFY Comparative Studies student Brian Martin proposing beefing up University’s own security services (rather than inviting police to patrol campus).
• Memo from the Assistant Housing Officer detailing common complaints from householders/landladies at University Lodgings, though accepts that very few have terminated contracts as a result of student misconduct or ingratitude (Ref 21).
• A pessimistic (solicited) submission from Michael Freeman (Ref 22).
• Mrs Elizabeth Harvey of Printing Centre recommends a slightly old-school approach to youthful letting off of steam: work to prove responsible attitude at first, then follow code of conduct for senior students (Ref 23).
• Protest note from Harber, Jones, Thomas, Gonzales et al. with proposals for ‘community discipline’ (Ref 24).
• Ref 58 and Ref 59 are anonymous, widely distributed responses to disciplinary enquiries following Enoch Powell’s visit 23.02.68.
• Ref 60 is Colin Rogers’ motion to General Meeting opposing University disciplining of anti-Powell (and other) protestors; copy annotated beautifully with full voting figures on each count.
• Ref 61 is Senior Assistant Registrar Roy Butler’s memo to the Student Affairs Committee (November 1967): response to discussions of whether or not the University should be held responsible for damage inflicted to student property by other students or their guests while on campus.
• Ref 62 is Keith Ives’ proposal from October 1967 prompting the above discussion at SAC.
• Ref 63 is letter from Dean of Students Alastair MacIntyre (13.03.68) on disruption to Enoch Powell’s visit to campus in February; see also earlier, more brief memo (04.03.68) in Box 17/May 1968.
• Ref 64 is Butler again, this time to the Working Party on a Code of Conduct; explains circulation and provenance of documents refs 58-63, all but the last circulated at request of Keith Ives; on the matter of loss or damage, also amendment of regulation 7.2 in light of SAC’s consideration of Refs 61 & 62.
• Ref 66 is Wyvern #46 (14.02.69) with reflections on the ‘Revolutionary Festival’, an extended piece by Colin Rogers on Disciplinary Structures, and a proposed framework for handling all complaints. Also Rogers’ resignation as editor.