Shannon keeps a tight grip on radical students. He receives enormous state and national pressure to maintain order at the University.

Letter of restriction from Shannon to SSA

Many radical student groups and their subsequent demonstrations endured painstaking regulations while they attempted to increase awareness at UVa. As evident from this letter, the administration feared the effects of their disruption. SSA Box, 1966-69

Letter from Shannon

This letter from Shannon to a member of UVa's General Counsel reveals Shannon's disapproval of University students participating in anti-war marches in Washington. He assures Frank Talbott that if any participated, those students must have been unaware of radicalism of the marches. President's Papers, November 9, 1967

Attachment from Dean Runk

This attachment forwarded to the President's office by Dean Runk shows the Dean's frustration over the rising anti-war movement, which was sweeping into the consciousness of college students. President's Papers, March 25, 1968

President Shannon Address

This letter written by President Shannon to appear in the Cavalier Daily reminds students of the restrictions surrounding student demonstrations. He defers all decisions of demonstration requests to Student Council, which regulates requests for demonstrations. While some might argue President Shannon places utmost trust in the Council members ability to regulate such demonstrations, others could argue that he uses these student leaders to act as puppets maintaining the status quo at the University during this time of distress. President's Papers, May 2, 1968

Exchange Between Law Students and Shannon

Two law students admonish the University's support of transporting students to an anti-Vietnam demonstration in Washington. They wish for President Shannon to deliver this letter to all students and faculty in the University community. Shannon, despite his documented attempts to curb student protests, supports students' rights to partipate in this Southern Student Organizing Committee event. President's Papers, October 23, 1967

Support for Shannon

After President Shannon openly states in The Cavalier Daily that he will not tolerate demands from protesting students under duress, he receives an overwhelming amount of support from alumni across the area. Shannon says that any student guilty of participating in such demonstrations could be refused a degree. While he says that he is simply responding to the rise of student protests across the nation, Shannon more than likely feels the pulse of student discontent quickening and thus issues his firm warning. Shannon's strong stance on this issue earns him hundreds of letters of support from alumni and taxpaying Virginia citizens. President's Papers, May 20, 1968

"Defusing Student Unrest"

Despite rising pressure to contain student unrest, President Shannon insists on including student leaders in decisions made to curb potential violence. This article details a retreat with Shannon, faculty members and students in which they discussed how the University could handle volatile situations in the future. President's Papers, 1968-69

Memorandum for Files

President Shannon shares a story about a phone call from a student supporting his strong stance against student violence and disruption. The memorandum shows that not all students positioned themselves against Shannon at the time. President's Papers, 1968-69

"It's Time To Decide: Who Runs The College?"

This article demonstrates the pressure Shannon and other University officials receive from taxpaying Virginians. Citizens of the state think the president and administrators have been too soft on the young men for too long. The pressure from the state's population is evident through Shannon's interactions. Richmond Times Dispatch, February 18, 1969

"College and University Reports"

As student unrest spreads across the United States, state and federal courts evaluate their role in maintaining order. As this article explains, a 1968 court case in Missouri says that courts will stay out of student disciplinary actions unless the named four conditions exist. This decision grants University administrators across the county an incredible amount of responsibility and power. President's Papers, October 14, 1968