University Girl On Discipline Charge

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31657, 18 April 1968, Page 9

University Girl On Discipline Charge

(N.Z. Press Aa»n.—Copyright) NEW YORK, April 17. A beautiful blonde university student declared at a disciplinary hearing yesterday that it was none of the college’s business that she was living with a man off campus, United Press International reported. “Barnard College has no business regulating anything but my academic life,” 20-year-old Linda Leclair told the hearing which will decide whether she will be expelled for breaking rules. The deci sion is expected next week. Miss Leclair has been living with her boyfriend, 20-year-old Paul Behr, a junior from another university, for two years in a two-roomed Manhattan flat. Under Barnard rules, girls whose parents live outside a 50-mile radius Of the campus must live in hostels until they are 21, unless they hold livein jobs. The couple were found to be living together several weeks ago and Miss Leclair has granted a hearing in her defence. She requested an open session and about 200 students attended.

A professor and two churchmen spoke on her behalf and Miss Leclair claimed the college was discriminating against her because of her sex. United Press International said. Miss Leclair, dressed neatly in a green suit, burst into tears at the end of her statement and said: “I hope you will dismiss my case.” Outside the hearing. Miss Leclair and Mr Behr were asked what they would do it she were expelled. “We’d like to get some other people together in a commune and find a patch of land somewhere in the country and raise children," Mr Behr said. . , , The college’s decision promises to set off plenty of controversy. Student sympathy is largely on the side of the couple, and 70 Barnard girls have already signed Statements they have also lived off-campus with men. But a number of financial backers had expressed shock and anger and some had reportedly threatened to withhold contributions from the college, which was seeking to raise $7.5 million dollars by, June next year, U.P.I. said.