The document summarizes the events surrounding the Kent State shootings from both the administration and student body perspectives. It describes the protests in response to the Vietnam War and Cambodia invasion in early May 1970 in Kent, Ohio. This led to calls for the National Guard by the mayor. On May 4th, during a protest at Kent State University, the Ohio National Guard fired on students, killing four and wounding nine over a 13 second period. The administration viewed the student protestors very negatively, while students protested both the Vietnam War and the administration's response.

1. Kent State
Administration and
Student Body Views on
the Kent State
Shootings
William Schroeder Sandy Scheuer
In Memory of students killed on May 4, 1970
Jeffrey Miller Allison Krause

2. “The charred ROTC building is fenced off
as protestors, National Guardsmen and on
lookers fill the Kent State Commons area
on May 4, 1970.” “Kent State University
students have a sit in at Lincoln and Main
Streets in Kent on May 3, 1970.” “Students
return tear gas canisters to the Ohio
National Guardsmen…on May 4, 1970.” “In
one of Vietnam era’s most enduring
images, Mary Ann Vecchio kneels over the
body of Kent State student Jeffrey Miller in
a parking lot at Taylor Hall.” “A crowd fills
Water Street on May 1, 1970, during a
downtown Kent disturbance in which
business windows were smashed.”
“National Guardsmen, Kent police officers
and a civilian are part of the May 3, 1970,
disturbance.” “Students gather around the
Victory Bell on the Kent State Commons in
1970 for a rally to protest the Vietnam
War.” “Protestors demonstrate in 1977
over the construction of a Kent State
gymnasium annex near the site of the
1970 shootings.” “On the morning of May
2, 1970, some KSU students assisted with
the downtown clean up. Rumors of radical
activities were widespread, and KSU’s
ROTC building was believed to be the
target of militant students that evening.
During the Vietnam war, students on
many college campuses opposed the
presence of ROTC and often were
successful in forcing the removal of ROTC
from their campuses.”
Governor Rhodes states in his speech to
the public states, “I want to assure you
that we’re going to employ every force of
law that we have under our authority. Any
student caught throwing a rock at my
form of law enforcement will be charged
with a felony and will be dismissed from
KSU without a hearing and cannot enter
another State University in the state of
Ohio.” “On May 2, 1970, Kent Mayor
LeRoy Satron Places a call to Gov. James A.
Rhodes requesting the Ohio National
Guard troops to help protect the town.
Protestors set fire to the ROTC building
that evening.” “President Nixon’s report of
a U.S. invasion of Cambodia triggered
nationwide protests, including an anti-
war rally on the Kent State University
Commons on May 1, 1970.” “Riding in a
jeep, Kent State Police Officer Harold Rice
pleads over a bullhorn for Kent State
protestors to disperse just before noon on
May 4, 1970.” “At 12:24 p.m. on May 4,
1970, at the crest of Blanket Hill, an
estimated 28 guardsmen stop, raise their
weapons and begin firing. Over the course
of 13 seconds, 61 rounds are fired. Four
students are killed and nine are
wounded.” “Ohio Gov. James A. Rhodes
delivers a fiery speech on the campus of
Kent State where he called the student
protestors, “The worst type of people that
we harbor in America.” An evening
protest blocked the main intersections
and was broken up by guardsmen with
tear gas and bayonets.”
The Administration Images on views The Student Body