Murray I. Fishel papers

MAY 4 COLLECTION -- Box 57

Finding Aid

Prepared by Scott L. Bills, December 1980; Updated October 2016

Inclusive Dates: 1970
Extent: .33 cubic foot (1 document case)
Physical Location: 12th floor

Historical Note / Scope and Content: Murray I. Fishel was an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science in May 1970. After the University was closed on May 4, Dr. Fishel sent out a mimeographed note to his students explaining how they might complete their course requirements. In addition, he asked his students for their thoughts on the recent events at the University. The responses which he received during May and June, 1970, comprise this collection.

Similar to other collections of faculty correspondence relating to May 4, the Fishel papers will prove very useful in examining student attitudes following the shootings of May 4, 1970. Many of Fishel's students wrote long and thoughtful letters, including commentary on foreign policy, the role of the university in the political system, and the generational polarization of the era. Many students mentioned the problems they faced at home from hostile attitudes toward young people, even from their parents. One frustrated student wrote: "From the news reports that most of the people in my area had received, you would think that rioters ... had burned and looted the campus and town area and all that was left was a pile of smoldering ruins." A number of letters from students were critical of "radical" viewpoints and tactics but no less unfavorable toward the actions of the Ohio National Guard.

Arrangement: Correspondence from students in response to Fishel's letter is organized chronologically by date of correspondence, with undated correspondence placed at the end of the collection.

Acquisitions Note: Professor Murray I. Fishel donated his materials to the Kent State University Archives on May 5, 1980.

Restrictions on Access: Some information included in this collection is restricted due to the presence of information protected by privacy laws. This information has been redacted where present on documents in the collection. Un-redacted originals, in all cases, have been retained by Special Collections and Archives.

Restrictions on Use: Professor Fishel has kindly donated to the Kent State University Special Collections and Archives whatever property and literary rights he possesses in this collection.

Sponsor: Digitization of this collection was funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

May 4 Collection Box 57
Folder -- Contents

1. Correspondence: Fishel to Students: May 11, 1970
2. Correspondence: Students to Fishel: May, 1970
3. Correspondence: Students to Fishel: May 13, 1970
4. Correspondence: Students to Fishel: May 14, 1970
5. Correspondence: Students to Fishel: May 15, 1970
6. Correspondence: Students to Fishel: May 16, 1970
7. Correspondence: Students to Fishel: May 17, 1970
8. Correspondence: Students to Fishel: May 18, 1970
9. Correspondence: Students to Fishel: May 19, 1970
10. Correspondence: Students to Fishel: May 20, 1970
11. Correspondence: Students to Fishel: May 21, 1970
12. Correspondence: Students to Fishel: May 22, 1970
13. Correspondence: Students to Fishel: May 23, 1970
14. Correspondence: Students to Fishel: May 24, 1970
15. Correspondence: Students to Fishel: May 25, 1970
16. Correspondence: Students to Fishel: May 26, 1970
17. Correspondence: Students to Fishel: May 27, 1970
18. Correspondence: Students to Fishel: May 30, 1970
19. Correspondence: Students to Fishel: May 31, 1970
20. Correspondence: Students to Fishel: June 1, 1970
21. Correspondence: Students to Fishel: June 3, 1970
22. Correspondence: Students to Fishel: June 4, 1970
23. Correspondence: Students to Fishel: June 6, 1970
24. Correspondence: Students to Fishel: Undated