Dean Ford had originally ordered all the Yard gates locked except the one opposite the Union. But after students cut the chains on the Mass Ave gate, policemen went there and let students in and out.
In his only public statement yesterday, Pusey replied to the demonstrators' list of six demands. Pusey rejected student claims that the Corporation--which has been trying to work out new contracts to keep ROTC units on campus next year--was betraying the Faculty's vote to remove academic credit from ROTC. The Corporation "is working not to thwart the Faculty vote but to carry it out," he said.
Pusey said that two other demands--replacing ROTC scholarships with Harvard money and restoring scholarships to Paine Hall demonstrators--were under study by various Faculty committees. Pusey attacked the last three demands--concerning Harvard's rent and buildings policies--more sharply. He said that the rents in University-owned buildings were lower than those in the general market and that Harvard was not tearing down any homes on University Road or near the Medical School.
"Can anyone believe that the Harvard SDS demands are made seriously?" Pusey said. "How can one respond to allegations which have no basis in fact?"
Ford and Glimp also replied to the demand list. In response to the demand that Harvard abolish ROTC, Ford said, "I can't imagine the University breaking a contract unless it had a cause. That would be breaking the law." He added that the administration had already decide to "do all in our power" to replace ROTC scholarships, and dismissed the rent and building demands as beyond the Faculty's jurisdiction.
"I have such contempt for the confusion in the wording of these demands that I just can't respect them," Ford said.
The Executive Committee of Harvard's Young Republican Club put out a statement denouncing the demonstration. "The actions of SDS are a threat, and a grave one, to the continued existence of Harvard," the YR's said. "It is time that the Administration recognize this fact and act accordingly.