In response to the continuing attempts by students to shut down the University, and in response to the police efforts to quell the demonstrations, University President Edgar Shannon addressed the students on the steps of the Rotunda on May 10th, 1970. Though not well received at first, the students cheered wildly when, towards the end of his speech, Shannon gave his own views as to the United States' involvement in the Vietnam War. He wrote, "I know your anguish over the military involvement in Southeast Asia. I want promptly to end the war. I feel furthermore it is urgent that the national administration demonstrate renewed determination to end the war and the unprecedented alienation of American youth caused by that conflict. I have conveyed that alienation in a letter to our senators." President Shannon was widely criticized in the press for this address that was viewed as an appeasement to radical students.