Confrontation at Kent Fund records

May 4 Collection - Box 60

Finding Aid

Prepared by Denise D. Cibulas, 15 March 1984. Updated by Penny White, June 2013; December 2016.

Inclusive Dates: 1969-1980
Extent: .33 cubic feet (1 document case and 2 oversize folders)
Physical Location: 12th floor

Historical Note: The Confrontation at Kent (CAK) Fund was organized in the summer of 1970 by the eight individuals involved in the production and financing of the film, Confrontation at Kent State. The film (b/w, 41 min.) is a documentary about the Kent State shootings, which occurred on May 4, 1970. The film includes interviews with citizens of Kent, members of the Ohio National Guard, and students present during the shootings. The film also contains footage of the campus before and after the final confrontation, as well as news clippings concerning the events.

The making of Confrontation at Kent State was a joint effort by faculty, students, and residents of Kent, and was produced independently of the university. Created during the week following the events of May 4, the film was not financed by the university, nor was university equipment used in the film. The film was financed through grants obtained from the Guggenheim Foundation and the American Film Institute. These grants were made on behalf of the director of the film, Richard Myers, who was already an established independent filmmaker.

Confrontation at Kent State and the associated CAK Fund were created by eight members. At the time the film was made their positions were as follows: Richard Myers, faculty member (KSU Art department); Patricia Myers, local real estate agent; Carla Ruff, graduate student (KSU English department); Jake Leed, faculty member (KSU English department); Mary Leed, student (University of Akron, Law); Robert Ohlrich, resident of Kent (KSU graduate); Michael Tarr, student (KSU); and James M. Someroski, faculty member (KSU Art department).

The CAK Fund was controlled as a non-profit organization. The profits earned through rental and ticket sales of Confrontation at Kent State were distributed at the discretion of the CAK members. Specifically, the money was channeled into groups that helped to pay for the medical bills and legal defense of students wounded during both the Kent State and Jackson State University shootings. When the fund was terminated in 1980, the remaining funds were donated to the American Civil Liberties Union.

Scope and Content: The Confrontation at Kent (CAK) Fund records primarily document the financial history of the organization. Included are financial records and correspondence related to the rental, sale, and distribution of the film, Confrontation at Kent State, the profits of which were donated to students in need of medical treatment after the shootings at both Kent State and Jackson State University. Funds were also allocated to legal defense funds created for students and families after the events of May 4. The collection contains two contracts, one establishing the placement of funds in a CAK Fund bank account, and the other terminating the CAK Fund. The records contain several newsletters, newspapers, and press releases circulated following May 4, and an inventory, prepared by the CAK Fund, of significant newspaper articles related to the shootings.

Arrangement: The records are arranged alphabetically by subject matter. Items within each folder are arranged by date.

Acquisition Information: In September of 1980, the members of the Confrontation at Kent (CAK) Fund decided that, upon termination of the fund, the papers and records would be placed into the May 4 Collection, Special Collections and Archives, Kent State University Libraries.

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.

May 4 Collection - Box 60
Folder -- Contents

1. Address and Phone Number Lists: Confrontation at Kent (CAK) Fund: 1970
2. Bulletin: Official Bulletin, Kent State University, Number 6: June 10, 1970
3. Contract: CAK Fund, placement of funds: August 4, 1970
4. Contract: Termination of CAK Fund: February 27, 1979-September 24, 1980
5. Correspondence: American Association of University Professors to faculty: May 26, 1970
   Scope and Content: Regarding task forces to study the events of May 4.
6. Correspondence: Creative Film Society to Richard Myers: May 13, 1970-June 16, 1975
7. Correspondence: Funding of film, Confrontation at Kent State: August 5-12, 1970
8. Correspondence: Inquiries for purchase and rental of film, Confrontation at Kent State: 1970-1976
9. Correspondence: New Line Cinema to Richard Myers: 1970; undated
10. Correspondence: Office of the President to the University Community: May 3-7, 1970
11. Correspondence: White House to parents of William Schroeder: July 6, 1972
12. Flyers: Concerning the events of May 4: circa 1970
13. Financial Records: CAK Fund account ledger: 1970s
    Restrictions on Access: This file is restricted.
14. Financial Records: CAK Fund account ledger, deposit receipts, money orders, statement of interest: 1973-1979
15. Financial Records: CAK Fund bank statements and checks: 1970
    Scope and Content: A sampling has been retained for artifactual value.
16. Financial Records: Confrontation at Kent State rentals and producer income statements: 1970-1973
17. Financial Records: Purchase orders for film, Confrontation at Kent State: October 5, 1970-February 19, 1971
18. Financial Records: Receipts, for costs associated with Confrontation at Kent State: May 1970-January 1971
19. Financial Records: Reimbursements of medical bills: 1970-1972
    Scope and Content: Includes reimbursements to injured students from both Kent State University and Jackson State University.
    Restrictions on Access: Some items are restricted.
20. Fundraising Mailings: Kent State Due Process of Law Fund: circa 1974-1979
21. Inventory: Newspaper clippings concerning May 4: 1970
    Scope and Content: Prepared by the CAK Fund.
22. Journal Entry: Common Pleas Court, case number 39346: May 7, 1970
    Scope and Content: Case regarding restrictions on entering Kent State University campus following the events of May 4.
23. Kent Legal Defense Fund: Articles of Incorporation: October 20, 1970
24. News Clipping: Confrontation at Kent State, film screening: undated
25. Newsletter: Kent 25 Plus, volume 1, number 1: November 4, 1970
26. Newsletter: Ohio Civil Liberties, volume 2, number 3: June-July 1970
27. Newspaper: Kent Strike Paper: June 1970?
28. Newspaper: The Partisan: April 15, 1970
    Physical Location: Shelved in map case.
29. Posters: Related to the events of May 4 and Confrontation at Kent State: 1970-circa 1971
    Physical Location: Shelved in map case.
30. Press Release: American Civil Liberties Union: July 21, 1970
    Scope and Content: Regarding lawsuit filed against state officials on behalf of Kent State University students whose rooms were searched around the time of May 4, 1970.
31. Press Release: Senator Stephen M. Young: October 24, 1969
32. Press Releases: Kent State University News Service: May 1970
    Scope and Content: Concerning the events of May 4, the appointment of a committee to study May 4, and the reopening of campus.
33. Press Releases and Flyers: Confrontation at Kent State: 1970-1971; undated
34. Report: Confrontation at Kent Fund: March 1972
35. Speech 113: Assignment related to the events of May 4: undated