B.C. Students Halt Recruiters

The Boston College Coalition Against the War temporarily prevented two Navy recruiters from entering Alumni Hall yesterday morning at Boston College for a scheduled recruiting session.

About 100 peaceful demonstrators blocked the entrance to the building for six hours before allowing the recruiters to enter at 3 p.m., shortly after a lawyer for the university announced that a temporary restraining order had been obtained against the students.

Edward J. Hanrahan, dean of Students at B.C., said afterwards that the temporary restraining order was obtained "to restore the normal functioning" of the school's placement office.

When interviews began at 3:15 p.m., Coalition members went in for "interviews," but instead they asked the recruiters questions concerning the Vietnam war. By 4 p.m., the demonstrators had dispersed and the recruiters left. No further interviews were held, and B.C. officials do not expect trouble when interviews resume today.

Two Jesuit faculty members--Joseph Appleyard and James Halpin--had begun the day's activities at 8 a.m. with a prayer meeting in front of Alumni Hall. When the recruiters arrived at 9 a.m., students attending the prayer meeting blocked their way by sitting in front of the entrances to the building.

After issuing several warnings, Hanrahan announced at 10 a.m. that the university was seeking an injunction against 20 students who officials identified as blocking the doors. The university also asked for--and got--an injunction against persons assisting the 20 persons named in the order.

Marcus Rainey, assistant dean of Students at B.C., said yesterday the university "does not intend to suspend anyone." However, he added that students identified as blocking the entrances to Alumni Hall will be brought before the University Conduct Board for possible disciplinary action.

Discussing the peaceful nature of the demonstration, Rainey noted "there were no attempts to break the lines." Rainey said B.C. officials did not consider using police to disperse the demonstrators.

The injunction against the demonstrators was based on a policy statement issued by Hanrahan's office in 1970. That policy provides that "appropriate administrative officials may take measures necessary to restore orderliness and to protect the rights of all members of the community."

Open Recruiting

W. Seavey Joyce, S.J., president of B.C., announced a policy of "open recruiting" on the school's campus last spring. His decision resulted in the creation of the B.C. Coalition Against the War.

A statement issued by the Coalition yesterday advocated a policy "against military recruiting because we can no longer tolerate university complicity with the war effort."

The Heights, B.C.'s weekly student newspaper, had strongly supported yesterday's action in an October 12 editorial. "Boston College must... unequivocally say NO to military recruiters on campus," The Heights said. "(We) consider non-violent civil disobedience a viable means by which to bring about qualitative change."