California Backlash

For two years, the Mervin Field Poll has surveyed the California public's attitude toward the state's endless campus disorders. Last week Field had bad news for moderate reformers as well as radical activists. In returns that may have national meaning, Californians showed that they are not only sick of the chaos, but that more of them yearn for repressive measures. Items:

>72% of Californians strongly favor expulsion for all students who "challenge and defy authorities," compared with 66% in 1967.

>38% strongly oppose giving students more voice in deciding campus rules, up from 19% two years ago.

>84% oppose the admission of "many more black students" if they do not meet regular entrance requirements.

>69% disagree with the widespread belief on campus that calling in the police radicalizes the moderate students and thus worsens disorders.

>Only 23% strongly agree that professors in state-supported institutions should have the freedom to speak and teach as they see fit, compared with 32% in 1967.

> Only 39% strongly agree that state campuses should be independent of political control, down from 53% two years ago.

While student popularity is down, says Pollster Field, Governor Ronald Reagan's rating has climbed. Last month 78% of Californians approved his performance, compared with a low of 66% last year. The biggest factor in Reagan's popularity, reports Field, is his "firm handling of college riots."

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