Commission on KSU Violence records (May 4)

Special Collections and Archives

Commission on KSU Violence records (May 4)

Special Collections and Archives

Commission on KSU Violence records (May 4)

Finding Aid for the Commission on KSU Violence records

May 4 Collection - Boxes 193-201

Author: Prepared by Kenton Daniels, April 1995, and Mary N.S. Richardson, January 2008.
Revisions: Extensively Revised November 2017; Cara Gilgenbach and Jasmine Jefferson; Last Updated: September 2020
Descriptive Rules: DACS, 2nd edition

Origination: Kent State University. Commission on KSU Violence

Inclusive Dates: 1963-1976
Bulk Dates: 1970-1971
Extent: 5.16 cubic feet (10 boxes = 1 record storage box + 8 half-size record storage boxes + 1 custom box)
Physical Location: 12th floor

Abstract: The Commission on KSU Violence was assembled on May 8, 1970 by Kent State University President Robert I. White to collect information about the events leading up to the Kent State shootings. Materials in this collection include statements from faculty, staff, and students about the shootings, correspondence, reports, and subject files created by and assembled by the Commission in the course of conducting its business.

Historical Note: On May 8, 1970, Kent State University President Robert I. White assembled the Commission on KSU Violence. The Commission, or CKSUV or Mayer Commission, as it was commonly referred to, was charged with collecting statements about the May 4 shootings as well as investigating the causes of the event. All information gathered was to be assembled into a final report to White. However, the Commission was unable to reach a consensus report and presented its final reporting as a series of working papers. Additionally, selected members of the Commission elected to create and submit a "Minority Report." The original membership of the Commission was Harold M. Mayer (chair), Doris Franklin, John Doutt, John F. Ohles, Kathleen Whitmer, Robert T. Buckley, John Huffman, Benjamin G. McGinnis, George Urban, Jeffrey Zink, Kathleen Stafford, and Thomas Bond. Doutt and Ohles resigned from the Commission and were replaced by Leonard Konopa and Charles C. Chandler.

As the CKSUV investigated the May 4 shootings, the focus of its report evolved into examining not only the causation of the events of May 1-4, 1970, but also administrative attitudes, activities and policies prior to these events. Commission members realized that while the CKSUV was charged with the responsibility of taking statements there was no legal recourse to accrue testimony from government agencies, such as the FBI and the police. Since the Commission could not subpoena individuals to give testimony, it asked students to provide oral and/or written statements when they returned to campus to retrieve their personal belongings from the dorms. The CKSUV also sent out a mass mailing to all Kent State students, faculty, and staff asking for any information about the events occurring between May 1 through 4, 1970. The final report submitted to White is a group of working papers addressing the chronology and narrative of events leading up to May 4 and events in the immediate aftermath of the shootings; the attitudes and activities of the Kent State administration, faculty, and students; community relations; campus security; and political agencies.

Scope and Content: The Commission on KSU Violence records include statements submitted or made by students, faculty, staff, administrators, and others, subject files, administrative records of the Commission, and drafts and final versions of working papers or reports created by each of the major committees within the Commission. Also included are audio recordings of selected statements provided to the Commission and recordings of some of the body's meetings.

Arrangement: The collection is organized into the following series and sub-series.

Series 1: CKSUV: Administrative records

Subseries 1: Foundational and Operational records
Subseries 2: Committee records
Subseries 3: Correspondence
Subseries 4: Meeting records
Subseries 5: Reports
Subseries 6: Subject files

Series 2: CKSUV: Statements about the Events of May 1-5, 1970

Subseries 1: Statements by Students
Subseries 2: Statements by Faculty/Staff
Subseries 3: Statements by Others

Series 3: CKSUV: Responses to the "Faculty: Attitudes and Activities" Survey

Series 4: CKSUV: Audio-Visual materials

Subseries 1: Audio Recordings
Subseries 2: Photographs

Preferred Citation: Commission on KSU Violence records. May 4 Collection. Special Collections and Archives. Kent State University Libraries.

Related Material: The Commission on KSU Violence should not be confused with the Commission to Implement a Policy of Nonviolence (better known as the Kegley Commission). For information on the Kegley Commission, see May 4 Collection, Boxes 102-104.

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.

Sponsor: Digitization of this collection was funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. Digitization of a portion of the audio materials in this collection was supported by a Recordings at Risk grant from the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR). The grant program is made possible by funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Series 1: CKSUV: Administrative records
Subseries 1: Foundational and Operational records

May 4 Collection - Box 193
Folder -- Contents

CKSUV: Charge, Role, and Procedures, 1970
CKSUV: Compensation for Commission Members, 1970
CKSUV: Members and Personnel, 1970-1971
Scope and Content: Includes member and staff lists, correspondence on members, information about resignations and replacements for resigned members.
CKSUV: Notes by Mayer (?), 1971
Scope and Content: Notes, possibly by Harold Mayer, regarding the CKSUV matters.
CKSUV: Resolutions, August-September, 1970; undated
CKSUV: Scheduling and Absences of Members, 1970
CKSUV: Stationery Letterhead and Envelope, undated
CKSUV: Supplies and Equipment Requisitions, 1970-1971
Processing Information: This type of documentation would not typically be retained, due to lack of historical value. It has been retained in this case due to possible historical interest in the mechanics of how the Commission operated and the materials it required to conduct its work.

Series 1: CKSUV: Administrative records
Subseries 2: Committee records

Scope and Content: This subseries includes records for four of the Commission's committees. The files include meeting notes and minutes, correspondence, documents compiled or examined by the committees, and other documentation created by these committees in compiling information for their area of focus. A full listing of committees within the Commission is available in the "Members and Personnel file," listed above in Series 1, Subseries 1.

May 4 Collection - Box 193
Folder -- Contents

CKSUV: Committee records: Administration, 1970
CKSUV: Committee records: Community Relations, 1970
CKSUV: Committee records: Faculty, 1970; undated
Scope and Content: This file includes correspondence to/from the committee as well as some of the requested quadrennial review reports that the committee solicited from academic departments.
CKSUV: Committee records: Faculty: Course Loads, August-September, 1970 (folder 1 of 3)
Scope and Content: The committee on Faculty Attitudes and Activities requested course load reports for faculty in various academic departments for the 1969-1970 academic year. This file includes responses received by the committee.
Arrangement: Responses are arranged chronologically by date of response.
CKSUV: Committee records: Faculty: Course Loads, August-September, 1970 (folder 2 of 3)
Scope and Content: The committee on Faculty Attitudes and Activities requested course load reports for faculty in various academic departments for the 1969-1970 academic year. This file includes responses received by the committee.
Arrangement: Responses are arranged chronologically by date of response.
CKSUV: Committee records: Faculty: Course Loads, August-September, 1970 (folder 3 of 3)
Scope and Content: The committee on Faculty Attitudes and Activities requested course load reports for faculty in various academic departments for the 1969-1970 academic year. This file includes notes made by committee member Jeff Zink regarding data as well as typed compilations of course load information received from departments by the committee.
CKSUV: Committee records: Law Enforcement, 1971; undated

Series 1: CKSUV: Administrative records
Subseries 3: Correspondence

Scope and Content: For the most part, this subseries includes correspondence created by or received by the CKSUV. However, there are also some examples of correspondence that did not originate with the Commission, but was forwarded to one or more of its members for information sharing purposes.

May 4 Collection - Box 193
Folder -- Contents

CKSUV: Correspondence: AAUP, 1970
CKSUV: Correspondence: Coordinator of Commissions, 1970
CKSUV: Correspondence: Form Letters, 1970
Scope and Content: Includes letters sent from the CKSUV to a large number of recipients with requests for information, thanks for participation, and other matters related to the Commission's efforts to gather data and information.
CKSUV: Correspondence: Mayer, Harold M., 1970-1971; undated
CKSUV: Correspondence: Nixon, Richard M., 1970
CKSUV: Correspondence: Ohles, John, 1970-1971
CKSUV: Correspondence: Olds, Glenn A., 1972
CKSUV: Correspondence: Urban, George, 1970-1971; 1976
CKSUV: Correspondence: White, Robert I., 1970-1972
CKSUV: Correspondence: Zink, Jeff, 1970
Scope and Content: Includes "Statement on Pre-College Conference" by Jeff Zink, dated July 10, 1970. This item was included with Zink correspondence, but it is unclear if it is associated with any particular piece of correspondence in this file.

Series 1: CKSUV: Administrative records
Subseries 4: Meeting records

Scope and Content: CKSUV meeting records typically include meeting agendas, minutes, transcripts, and attachments of documents discussed during a given meeting of the Commission.

Related Material: Some of the CSKUV meetings were recorded on audiotape. Please see the Audio-visual series for recordings of selected meetings. Meeting records of committees within the Commission are found in the Committee records subseries above.

May 4 Collection - Box 194
Folder -- Contents

Series 1: CKSUV: Administrative records
Subseries 5: Reports

Scope and Content: This subseries includes various versions of a formal report of the Commission along with drafts documents that underwent extensive revision before becoming the final versions of the sections of the Commission's report. Although the final drafts of these documents are typically referred to as the "final report," the cover memorandum created by the Commission to President Robert I. White indicates that it was unable to come to a consensus report. Therefore, it instead offered a compilation of "working papers" in lieu of a consensus report. Also included in this subseries is The Minority Report prepared by a sub-set of Commission members.

Processing Note: It was often difficult to determine the appropriate chronological order of some of the draft documents included in this subseries. The order of documents in each file reflects the processor's best determination of the appropriate order of draft documents and addenda. Dates provided in entries below are dates (when available) of various draft reports and final reports--not the dates of the events being described therein. Many of the final report drafts are undated, but were created in 1970-1971.

May 4 Collection - Box 195
Folder -- Contents

Series 1: CKSUV: Administrative records
Subseries 6: Subject files

Scope and Content: The subject files subseries includes materials gathered by or created by the CKSUV for reference purposes in the course of its work to investigate the causes, attitudes, and activities surrounding the Kent State shootings. Some of the materials included herein were part of an official set of reference materials maintained by the Commission for use by its members, but many items included do not appear on the list of reference materials. At the same time, many of the items appearing on the original reference materials list are not included in the collection as received by Special Collections and Archives.

May 4 Collection - Box 196
Folder -- Contents

CKSUV: Subject file: The Alternative, v 1 n 2, November 1969
Authors: Simpson, David; Stewart, Michael; Greiner, Judy
CKSUV: Subject file: Attitudes Among Students and Faculty on May 4, 1970, April 1971
Author: Bond, Tom
CKSUV: Subject file: Bulletin: Put Love First, May 10, 1970
Scope and Content: A bulletin message from Faith Lutheran Church, Kent, Ohio on the Sunday following the Kent State shootings.
CKSUV: Subject file: Call Log, May 2-5, 1970
Scope and Content: Poor-quality photocopies of telephone call logs, possibly for Kent State University administrative offices for the dates of May 2 through May 5, 1970.
CKSUV: Subject file: Campus Organizations, undated (but likely 1970)
Scope and Content: A set of index cards, presumably compiled by the CKSUV with the names of campus organization, their faculty advisors, presidents, or other officers.
Physical Location: This set of cards is filed in a separate box, labeled "Box 196, Folder 5."
CKSUV: Subject file: Commencement Addresses, June 13, 1970
Scope and Content: Typescripts of addresses given at the Kent State commencement ceremony held on June 13, 1970.
CKSUV: Subject file: Commission on Commemorative Recognition, undated
CKSUV: Subject file: Correspondence from English Instructors to Students, May 1970
CKSUV: Subject file: Current Fire Report, v. 2 n. 6, 1970
Publisher: Fire Safety Committee. Campus Safety Association. National Safety Council.
CKSUV: Subject file: Enrollment at Kent State University, 1970
Scope and Content: Includes enrollment figures for 1967-68 through fall 1970 at Kent State.
CKSUV: Subject file: Enrollment of Universities in Ohio, 1970
CKSUV: Subject file: Essays by Mrs. Kainsinger's Class, undated
Scope and Content: A compilation of excerpts from students in a fifth grade class in their essays regarding "The Kent Incident."
CKSUV: Subject file: Flyer: Battle of Algiers Film, July 1970
CKSUV: Subject file: Flyer: Leftists Lift Lid on Revolutionary Plans, June 1969
Author: Montgomery, Ed
Publisher: The Free Enterprise (Phoenix, Arizona)
CKSUV: Subject file: Flyer: SMC: Strike Nov. 14, undated (but likely 1969)
CKSUV: Subject file: Flyer: Student Fund for Kent Damages, undated
CKSUV: Subject file: Flyer: Wake Up!! Mr. & Mrs. America, undated
Scope and Content: A flyer from an unidentified group.
CKSUV: Subject file: Flyer: What Commies Said 51 Yrs. Ago!!, undated
Scope and Content: A flyer from an unidentified group.
CKSUV: Subject file: Groups Formed Concerning Crisis at KSU, June 16, 1970; undated
CKSUV: Subject file: HPERA Meeting Notes, May-June 1970
Scope and Content: Planning document for a meeting of Kent State University division of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics with majors and a later meeting of division faculty. There are notes about how faculty might relate with students in the coming academic year. Also included is a document entitled "The Character of Undergraduate Education at Kent State University", which is undated and by an unknown author.
CKSUV: Subject file: Inspection of Kent State Residence Halls, May-June, 1970
CKSUV: Subject file: Kent Strike Paper, May-June 1970
Scope and Content: Includes issues 4, 8, and 9. The title of this publication was changed to "Mayday" with issue 9.
CKSUV: Subject file: Kent State University, Administrative Policy Book (excerpts), 1963-1968
CKSUV: Subject file: Kent State University Faculty, undated
CKSUV: Subject file: Kent State University Freshman Orientation Materials, 1969-1970
Scope and Content: Includes some of the material shared with incoming freshman in the fall 1970 quarter: a DuBois Bookstore Fall 1970 Booklist for Freshman, a campus guide and map, a flyer from the Committee for Non-Violence, and a K Book Student Services Handbook (1969-70 edition).
Physical Location: The map/guide from this file is oversized and filed in the map case.
CKSUV: Subject file: Kent State University Political Education Program, undated
CKSUV: Subject file: Kent Student Medical Fund, May-June 1970; undated
CKSUV: Subject file: Legal Responses to Campus Disorder, 1969-1970
CKSUV: Subject file: Newsrap Messages, May 10-August 23, 1970
Historical Note: Newsrap was the name for an information phone line maintained at Kent State University to provide timely information to students and others in the KSU community. It was one of the venues utilized by the university in the months after the shootings to keep students informed on developments, including access to campus resources and services while the physical campus was closed to regular access.
CKSUV: Subject file: Ohio General Assembly: Resolutions and Bills, 1969-1970
Scope and Content: This file contains selected resolutions and bills of the 108th Ohio General Assembly, Regular Session, 1969-1970. The bills and resolutions generally pertain to campus unrest, student representation, the Kent State shootings, and other matters related to disruptions and campus unrest at colleges and universities. Also included are "Remarks by...Charles F. Kurfess...Concerning Sub. S.C.R. 34," May 28, 1970, and a 1969 report of the Sub-Committee of the Education Committee dealing with unrest at state colleges and universities.
CKSUV: Subject file: Ohio Legislative Service Commission Memoranda, May 14-18, 1970
Scope and Content: A series of Legislative Service Commission memoranda on the topic of "Problems Relating to Disruptions on University Campuses." This set appears to be incomplete.
CKSUV: Subject file: Ohio Legislative Service Commission Memoranda, May 28-July 29, 1970
Scope and Content: A series of Legislative Service Commission memoranda on the topic of "Problems Relating to Disruptions on University Campuses." This set appears to be incomplete.

Series 1: CKSUV: Administrative records
Subseries 6: Subject files (continued)

May 4 Collection - Box 197
Folder -- Contents

CKSUV: Subject file: Paper: Kent State Versus the Town, undated
Author: Bixenstine, V. Edwin
Scope and Content: Full title: Kent State Versus the Town: A Passion Play in Division.
CKSUV: Subject file: Paper: The University: Challenge and Response, May 25, 1969
Author: Kitner, Harold
CKSUV: Subject file: Position Paper on Rockwell Library Parking Lot Construction, undated
Author: Morgan, Craig
CKSUV: Subject file: Postings to Students and KSU Community, May 2-3, 1970
Scope and Content: Communications from Robert I. White and Frank Frisina to students and the Kent State community about incidents occurring May 1-2, 1970, the setting of a curfew in the City of Kent, and the presence of the National Guard on campus.
CKSUV: Subject file: Program: Memorial Service for Kent State University Students, May 8, 1970
Scope and Content: Program for a memorial service held in honor of the four students killed at Kent State held at The New York Avenue Presbyterian Church (Washington, DC)
CKSUV: Subject file: Program: Requiem Mass in C minor: In Memoriam, June 3, 1970
CKSUV: Subject file: Programming in the Area of Black Student Concerns at Kent State University, 1968-1970, August 1970
Author: Wilson, Milton E., Jr.
CKSUV: Subject file: Proposal for a National Service Corps, August 4, 1970
Authors: Franklin, Wilbur M.; Moulds, George Henry
CKSUV: Subject file: Questionnaire: Bureau of Educational Research, July 1970
CKSUV: Subject file: Questionnaire: Counseling and Group Resources, June 1970
CKSUV: Subject file: Questionnaire: Student Attitude Assessment Committee, May 1970
CKSUV: Subject file: Reference Materials List, undated
Scope and Content: The list of reference materials compiled and maintained by the CKSUV for the use of its members.
CKSUV: Subject file: Remarks to Faculty Senate, June 25, 1970
Author: Wilson, Milton E., Jr.
CKSUV: Subject file: Report: Ohio Legislature Committee on Student Disorders Hearing, 1970
Author: Bond, Tom
CKSUV: Subject file: Report: The Student and the University, September 8, 1969
Author: McMillen, Barclay D.
Scope and Content: Full title: The Student and the University: A Perspective on Change. Includes report with appendices, plus a summary of the report by Jeff Zink and notes on a recorded interview regarding the report.
CKSUV: Subject file: Report: Subcommittee on Easing Tensions in Education, undated
Author: Office of Education. U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
CKSUV: Subject file: Resolution: Radical Decentralist Project, May 1969
CKSUV: Subject file: Resolutions Regarding War and Kent State Shootings, 1970; undated
CKSUV: Subject file: ROTC at Universities, 1970-1971
CKSUV: Subject file: Scranton Commission: Transcripts, 1970 (folder 1 of 3)
Scope and Content: It is believed that these are transcripts that were prepared by the CKSUV based on audio recordings of the President's Commission on Campus Unrest (Scranton Commission). This file includes transcripts of the testimony or partial testimony of Doris Amik, Michael Alewitz, General Canterbury, John Carson, General Del Corso, Dennis Durand, Glenn Frank, and Frank Frisina. The transcripts include a number of spelling/typing errors, as well as errors in the names of persons and other entities.
CKSUV: Subject file: Scranton Commission: Transcripts, 1970 (folder 2 of 3)
Scope and Content: It is believed that these are transcripts that were prepared by the CKSUV based on audio recordings of the President's Commission on Campus Unrest (Scranton Commission). This file includes transcripts of the testimony or partial testimony of John Huffman, Barbara Knapp, Jerry Lewis, Major Manly, Robert Matson, Craig Morgan, Robert Charles Perko, Robert T. Pickett, "Remarks by Red " during the Scranton Commission's viewing of a movie of the events of May 1-4, and Howard Edward Ruffner. The transcripts include a number of spelling/typing errors, as well as errors in the names of persons and other entities.
CKSUV: Subject file: Scranton Commission: Transcripts, August 1970 (folder 3 of 3)
Scope and Content: It is believed that these are transcripts that were prepared by the CKSUV based on audio recordings of the President's Commission on Campus Unrest (Scranton Commission). This file includes transcripts of the testimony or partial testimony of Mayor Satrom, Steve Sharoff, Robert Stamps, Roy Thompson, Robert I. White, Warren (transcript lacks pages 1-13), Chester Williams, and James C. Woodring, Jr. The transcripts include a number of spelling/typing errors, as well as errors in the names of persons and other entities.
CKSUV: Subject file: Sermon: Some Plain Talk about the Family, May 10, 1970
Author: Pierson, Carl T.
CKSUV: Subject file: Sign for ARCH 102 Final, Spring 1970
Scope and Content: A hand-made sign announcing the location of the Arch 102 final has been moved to Faith Church basement, 931 Main St.
CKSUV: Subject file: Statement by General Sylvester Del Corso, May 4, 1970
CKSUV: Subject file: Statement by Kent State Board of Trustees, undated (but likely summer 1970)
Scope and Content: A statement from the Kent State University Board of Trustees about resumption of fall 1970 classes.
CKSUV: Subject file: Statement to Subcommittee to Ohio Legislative Committee on Campus Unrest, January 21, 1971
Author: Wenninger, Eugene P.
CKSUV: Subject file: Statement to the NASULGC, November 9, 1970
CKSUV: Subject file: Transcription: James A. Rhodes Statement, Kent, May 3, 1970
CKSUV: Subject file: University Roles, Regulations, and Power, August 20, 1970; undated
CKSUV: Subject file: We Care Newsletter, Summer 1970
Publisher: Mothers of Servicemen (Pasadena, California)

Series 2: Statements about the Events of May 1-5, 1970

Scope and Content: Statements gathered by the Commission or offered by students, faculty, and staff to the Commission, primarily covering the events of the period of May 1-5, 1970. Statements were generated, for the most part, from May through August, 1970. It appears that some items were forwarded to the Commission by other offices, as some letters are not addressed specifically to the Commission, but rather to other Kent State offices. When a corrected or edited copy of a given statement is present, both the original and edited copies of the statement have been retained.

Arrangement: Statements are organized by type of narrator (student, faculty/staff, or others). Within each category, they are then arranged in alphabetical order by surname. In cases where statements were made jointly by two or more parties, the statement is filed alphabetically by the surname of the first party listed.

Subseries 1: Statements by Students

May 4 Collection -- Box 198
Folder -- Contents

CKSUV: Statements: Students: A, 1970
CKSUV: Statements: Students: B, 1970
CKSUV: Statements: Students: C, 1970
CKSUV: Statements: Students: D, 1970
CKSUV: Statements: Students: E, 1970
CKSUV: Statements: Students: F, 1970
CKSUV: Statements: Students: G, 1970
CKSUV: Statements: Students: H, 1970
CKSUV: Statements: Students: I, 1970
CKSUV: Statements: Students: J, 1970
CKSUV: Statements: Students: K, 1970
CKSUV: Statements: Students: L, 1970
CKSUV: Statements: Students: M, 1970
CKSUV: Statements: Students: N, 1970
CKSUV: Statements: Students: O, 1970
CKSUV: Statements: Students: P, 1970
CKSUV: Statements: Students: R, 1970
CKSUV: Statements: Students: S, 1970
CKSUV: Statements: Students: T, 1970
CKSUV: Statements: Students: V, 1970
CKSUV: Statements: Students: W, 1970
CKSUV: Statements: Students: Y, 1970
CKSUV: Statements: Students: Anonymous, 1970
Restrictions on Access: Names have been redacted from this file of student statements, as statements were sent to Professor Ohles as part of course completion and grade assignment following the closure of Kent State on May 4, 1970.

Series 2: Statements about the Events of May 1-5, 1970
Subseries 2: Statements by Faculty/Staff

May 4 Collection -- Box 199
Folder -- Contents

Series 2: Statements about the Events of May 1-5, 1970
Subseries 3: Statements by Others

Scope and Content: This subseries includes statements provided by parents of Kent State students, community members, and others, including unidentified parties.

Series 3: Responses to the "Faculty: Attitudes and Activities" Survey

Scope and Content: This series includes responses provided to the "Subcommittee on Faculty Attitudes and Activities" of the Commission on KSU Violence. A memorandum from this subcommittee was sent to all Kent State faculty (including teaching assistants) on June 3, 1970, soliciting feedback on two major questions: 1) What do you believe were the basic causes of violence on this campus? and 2) What do you think should be done to avoid future violence on the campus? Also included are responses by selected Kent State University staff members. In some cases, the subcommittee interviewed specific faculty members, including departmental chairs, whose responses appear in the form of interview transcripts. In cases in which corrections were made to the original transcript, both copies (original and edited) are included.

Arrangement: Responses are organized in alphabetical order by surname.

May 4 Collection -- Box 200
Folder -- Contents

May 4 Collection -- Box 201
Folder -- Contents

Series 4: Audio-Visual materials
Subseries 1: Audio recordings

Physical Location: Original recordings now in storage as archival back-ups are shelved on the 11th floor.
Alternate Form Available: These recordings have been digitally captured and are available online by clicking the title links below. Typescript copies of statements and meeting minutes can be found in Series 2: Statements about the Events of May 1-5, 1970 and Series 1: CKSUV: Administrative records Subseries 4: Meeting records.
Restrictions on Access: Researchers should be directed to use the digital copies of these recordings as originals are not playable due to format and preservation concerns.

Recordings

CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Balthis, Tom, June 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Bigelow, Gordon, July 1970
Restrictions on Access: The magnabelts could not be digitally captured and are not playable due to format.
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statements: Button, Carol A. and Hazel Young, June 18, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Dickerson, Pat & Hale, Mike, June 1, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Dorricott, Jack, July 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Engelson, Fred, June 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Haenle, Tom, June 13, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Hall, Bernard, June 24, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Horchler, D. Tim, August 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Howard, Walter; Runyon, Elizabeth; Shaw, Greg; Thackler, Russell, June 4, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Iwas, Richard, June 6, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Jacobs, William, May 28, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Johnson, Mike and McCain, Jim, May 28, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Kristopson, Louis Jr., June 30, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: LaCamera, Joseph, June 30, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: LaCamera, Joseph, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Lang, Bruce, June 8, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Lewis, Jerry, June 30, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Lynch, Michael, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Marco, Guy, July 8, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Matson, Robert, June 23, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Mayer, Harold M., June 22, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Miller, Marc, June 30, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Miller, Marc, July 14, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Montgomery, Russell E., July 27, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Osborn, Richard, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Panutsos, John, June 11, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Pickett, Robert, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statements: Rakich, David, Seymour Baron, and Lee Rothstein, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Reid, Harold S., June 12, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Resch, William, June 16, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Rice, Harold, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Schott, Paul Allan and Geckler, Dawn, June, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statements: Sedgwick, Kathy and Julie Wernick, 1970
Restrictions on Access: The magnabelts could not be digitally captured and are not playable due to format
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Seifert, Sylvia, June 16, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Shipley, Ferne, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Siciliano, Richard J., July 20, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statements: Stevenson, June and Betty Woodlee, June 1, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Tolliver, Lafe, May 18, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Wellin, Elaine, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Statement: Unidentified Faculty Member, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, May 15, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, May 15 and 18, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, May 18 and 19, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, May 20, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, May 21-22, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, May 25 and 26, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, May 25 and 26, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, May 26, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, May 27, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, June 1, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, June 2, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, June 12, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, June 16, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, June 23, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, June 26, 1970
Restrictions on Access: The magnabelts could not be digitally captured and are not playable due to format.
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, June 30, 1970
Restrictions on Access: The magnabelts could not be digitally captured and are not playable due to format.
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, July 7, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, July 14, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, July 21, 1970
Restrictions on Access: The magnabelts could not be digitally captured and are not playable due to format.
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, July 24, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, August 4, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, August 12, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, August 17, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, August 19, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, September 2, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, September 9, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, September 16, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, September 23, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, October 2, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, January 15, 1971
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, January 22, 1971
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, January 29, 1971
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, February 3, 1971
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, February 10, 1971
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, February 19, 1971
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, February 26, 1971
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, March 3, 1971
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, March 12, 1971
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, March 18, 1971
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minutes, April 2, 1971
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Meeting Minute Excerpts, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: "Legislature's Disorder Hearing Report" by Tom Bond, June 26, 1970
CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Legislative Service Commission Report, May 12, 1970

85-96. CKSUV: Audio Recordings: President's Commission on Campus Unrest, (Scranton Commission), August 19-21, 1970
Other Copy Available: Please note that the recordings of Scranton Commission hearings are also held in the John C. Weiser papers, which duplicate the content listed here, and are available in digital format on our digital archive site.
Physical Description: Reel-to-reel tapes

97. CKSUV: Audio Recordings: Excerpts from the President's Commission on Campus Unrest, August 1970
Other Copy Available: Please note that the recordings of Scranton Commission hearings are also held in the John C. Weiser papers, which duplicate the content listed here and are available in digital format on our digital archive site.
Physical Description: Magnabelts

98-100. CKSUV: Audio Recordings: "Operation Quell," Talk back telephone program, May 3-4, 1970
Other Copy Available: Please note the recordings listed here as "Operation Quell" talk-back program are held in the John C. Weiser papers, under the titles WKSU News Perspective and WKSU Operation Information and are available in digital format on our digital archive site.

Series 4: Audio-Visual materials
Subseries 2: Photographs

May 4 Collection -- Box 201
Folder -- Contents

CKSUV: Photographs by Richard C. Harris, Jr., May 4, 1970
Scope and Content: Documentation in this collection indicates that Harris, a Kent State University student at the time of the shootings, loaned four of his photographs to the Commission. Two photographs (with corresponding copy negative) have been identified as taken by Harris through use of published sources on the shootings. The other two provided by Harris remain unknown at this time due to lack of specific documentation on the sources of photographs in this collection.
Restrictions on Use: Photographs may not be duplicated for uses other than personal research use until copyright status is clarified by Special Collections and Archives.
CKSUV: Photographs: May 4, 1970
Scope and Content: Additional photographs taken at Kent State University on May 4, 1970 are noted as having been provided by John Ohles, a member of the CKSUV. It is unclear if Ohles himself took the photographs or simply provided access to them to the Commission. This file includes 14 photographs (some with corresponding negative/copy negative), at least two of which might have been taken by Richard C. Harris, Jr. Identification of photographers is uncertain due to lack of specific documentation on the sources of photographs in this collection.
Restrictions on Use: Photographs may not be duplicated for uses other than personal research use until copyright owner(s) and status are determined by Special Collections and Archives.
CKSUV: Photographs: Damage to University Vehicle, June 19, 1970
Scope and Content: Four color Polaroid photographs showing damage on a University vehicle. Photographs were taken by Kent State University Police Officer Richard Savelle.

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