Student activism in the Bay Area has consistently been on the national stage. From the Third World strikes at San Francisco State University to the Anti-War protests at San Jose State University, this area has had a rich history of civic engagement. Although Santa Clara University is a smaller school, past and present students and faculty have also taken part in protests, strikes, teach-ins, and other forms of direct action.

One of the first recorded incidences of student-led action at SCU was the May 8, 1969 sit-in. Seventy students gathered to occupy the space of the Dean of Student’s office to protest against the firing of two student prefects who allowed male and female students to visit one another past regulated hours (Giacomini 233). While not necessarily a protest for high-minded social justice issues, this instance would be the first of many that employed the use of nonviolent direct action by disrupting regular proceedings. Most likely influenced by the protest strategies utilized in the Civil Rights Movement, non-violent actions at SCU would continue for the next five years but evolve to be more focused on issues of racial justice (Giacomini 233). Just three years later, the SCU administration office would experience another sit-in but would end with multiple students being arrested (McKevitt, 300). It is unclear what prompted this particular sit-in, but perhaps that is a research question a curious person could take up in the presidential papers of Fr. Terry, S.J., the 25th president of SCU.

Against the Vietnam War

The 1970s would spur a number of student protests across the country. Anti-Vietnam War sentiment caused many students to protest against American intervention in Asia. On May 4, 1970, the country would become outraged by the Kent State shooting, where members of the National Guard shot and killed four anti-war student protestors. This caused then California Governor Ronald Reagan to institute a state-wide university and college shutdown for two days to avoid school protests and walkouts. However, this would only continue to anger students across the country. In response, SCU students and faculty expressed the importance of protesting during this time. Faculty would encourage students to participate in actions by adjusting educational plans to accommodate for scheduled group actions. Fr. James Albertson, academic Vice President, would help institute a more lenient pass-or-fail option for students who would be unable to attend classes if they wanted to join or organize protests. Fr. Albertson encouraged professors to consider “redefining the objectives” of their course “in a way that takes account of the current nation-wide concerns.” (“Pass-Fail Option Allows Student Political Activity”, The Santa Clara).

A strike or shutdown is not a vacation and it is not a solution in itself. This time must be used to talk, think, reform, and then act in a political means towards reform.”

Carol Koenig, managing editor for The Santa Clara (“Political, But Peaceful”, The Santa Clara)

One of the biggest on-campus protests would occur soon after university campuses reopened in May of 1970. On the morning of May 13 during the president’s annual review and award ceremony for the ROTC, anti-war protestors disrupted the parade onto Stanton Field by sitting in the path of the cadets. Armed with posters that displayed phrases like, “Off ROTC, get out of Southeast Asia” and “Don’t kill for peace” as well as musical instruments and three dogs, SCU demonstrators physically blocked ROTC students from continuing their march. However, this would not prevent the cadets from continuing with the procession—the cadets just stepped over protestors who were lying on the ground (“Demonstrators Disrupt Wednesday ROTC Review”, The Santa Clara)

Many in the SCU community found this action unnecessary. Fr. Albertson stated that he understood the desire of the demonstrators to protest, but didn’t believe that their method at the president’s review was a “responsible” form of action. A faculty demonstrator defended their actions by arguing, “There’s been an anti-war movement for ten years but no capitulation. Wouldn’t you feel frustrated?” (“Demonstrators Disrupt Wednesday ROTC Review”, The Santa Clara). In the midst of this protest, the Associated Students were also deliberating a bill that would take a formal position on the continuation of ROTC on SCU’s campus. However after this demonstration, this bill was met with heavy debate and would eventually end with ROTC being allowed to continue (“Outgoing, Incoming Officers Address Senate Session”, The Santa Clara).

Reactions to the Off-ROTC protest

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An unknown amount of demonstrators would later face punishment that ranged from suspension to expulsion. While most protestors received suspension on varying terms, it was noted that two student demonstrators would be facing harsher charges, however it is unclear whether these students were expelled from SCU (“ROTC Demonstrators Face University Action”, The Santa Clara). Protesting would continue to take place on SCU’s campus for years to come.

Apartheid and Other Social Issues

On May 1985, another student demonstration would be held at the administration building demanding that Santa Clara divests its financial holdings in American companies interested in South African ventures. During this protest, students held up replicas of identification passes that Black South Africans were required to have on their person when in public during apartheid (Giacomini, 237). Another demonstration occurred in the spring of 1990, where students and faculty marched across campus after a sexist and racist fraternity newsletter became public (Giacomini, 264).

“Some people accuse us of just jumping on the bandwagon, but if the bandwagon is one of peace and justice. I’m willing to ride, and I’m willing to pay a heavy fare.”

David Drummong ‘85 (Giacomini 263)

The spirit of civil disobedience is alive and well at SCU despite the switch to online learning last year. Last week I went to a rally organized by the SCU Adjuncts and Lecturers Union to support a free and fair union vote, and speak out against the anti-labor union law firm recently hired by SCU administration. Demonstrators gathered at the campus entrance and it was the first time I saw so many students and faculty gathered at SCU in over a year. I finally got to meet a couple of friends I’ve only been able to talk with through Zoom as well as introduce myself in person to professors whose classes I’ve only taken online. It was incredible to see that despite being in a pandemic, the community was still able to come together and support our adjuncts and lecturers. Together we marched towards the Mission Church chanting, “Hey hey, ho ho, union busting’s gotta go!” We stopped at the fountain to hear various speakers, one of them being a student organizer Vas Kumar ’21 who has been supporting the union since they started attending SCU. In an impassioned speech they proclaimed “without my mentors, I would be nothing.”

Considering the history of demonstrations at SCU, the invaluable support from faculty mentors has kept student organizers pushing for change over the years. Even beyond the scope of SCU, protests are often led by veteran leaders who have years of experience organizing actions, fueled by the care they have for the community. As a graduating senior I want to emphasize this to my peers: change occurs when a community comes together to speak out against injustices.

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Header photo: Off ROTC demonstration at President’s Review, May 13, 1970 (Giacomini 237)

Works Cited

Giacomini, George F., and Gerald McKevitt. Serving the Intellect, Touching the Heart: A Portrait of Santa Clara University, 1851-2000. Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, Calif, 2000.

McKevitt, Gerald. The University of Santa Clara: A History, 1851-1977. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA: 1979.