The Minneapolis Star reported in January of 1937, a divided vote of the Minneapolis City Council to recommend to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota that Dean of Student Affairs Edward E. Nicholson be removed from his position. The majority of Council members, who voted in favor of the recommendation, expressed concern about Nicholson’s role in organizing a dinner of members of the Grand Jury in Hennepin County before they took their offices. He was accused of attempting to influence them. The Grand Jury system was a critical element in the Law and Order League and the Citizen’s Alliance efforts to stop pro-union activists.
The Alderman of the City Council gave full-throated expression for their positions on Dean Nicholson’s suitability for his position. Some argued for his hard work on behalf of students, and a greater number were critical of his approach to students and his denial of their freedom of expression. In the ensuing weeks various groups held debates about Dean Nicholson on and off campus.
President Coffman ignored their call for Nicholson’s ouster.
If you have information about the University of Minnesota in the 1930s that you would like to add, or reflections on other campus struggles, please contact us at prell001@umn.edu
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