'Literature' Proposal Is Tabled

The ratification of an agreepent form which would have allowed the distribution of offcampus and other nonschoolapproved literature on school property was tabled last night by the Ann Arbor Board of Education because of possible legal problems. According to a preliminary opinión by Roscoe O. Bonisteel Jr., the school board's legal counsel, the Ann Arbor School District would be liable for libel suits if literature is distributed on school grounds without an "authoritative review." According to School Supt. W. Scott Westerman Jr., Bonisteel thinks the school district cannot delégate its responsibility for publications to either parents or youth. Westerman said Bonisteel's opinión was only a preliminary one, however, and the lawyer will study the issue in more detail. The agre-jpent form on the agenda last night would have been signed by all student editors wishing to distribute unofficial publications on campus. The agreement would have stated the student editors were responsible for the contents of the publication, and that they would accept sole resopnsibility for the content if any laws were broken. Council has petitioned the school board to change its policy and allow the distribution of offcampus and nonschool-approved literature (incluc".g so-called "underground" newspapers) on school grounds. Present policy forbids this, and any students who distribute such literature are automatically suspended. Several students w e r e suspended for several days last month for distributing unauthorized literature. Westerman promised the matter would be studied further, and suggested that perhaps a committee could be appointed to review publications before distribution- a step which Bonisteel apparently thinks might protect the school district from. libel actions. Westerman said he was sympathetic to the students' request for a change in policy, and said he was in favor of a "free flow of information," which, he said, strengthens the democratie process. At least 75 students and parents jammed the Board of Education room to hear the publications discussion.