Page Five
editorial opinion
Complication is an understatement in regards to South
Africa’s present state. In fact, it is hard to conceive conditions in
South Africa from an American viewpoint.
The divestment issue also is of a complicated nature.
To divest or not to divest conjures much controversy in the
Penn State System.
(By this time, I hope students are aware of what apartheid (the
white minority governing the black majority) and divestment
signify.
Briefly, PSU’s status stands with about $6.6 million invested
in companies that operate in South Africa. The University has
already divested its holdings in companies that do not comply
with the Sullivan Principles (these are guidelines that companies
operating in South Africa follow to promote equality in the
labor force). Apartheid takes in a small portion of corporate in
come by way of taxes~as all governing bodies attain income.)
After considerable thought and discussion, I finally believe
that divestment. is not the answer for the discord in South
Africa. I also believe, as Bishop Desmond Tutu described, that
apartheid is “one of the most viscious systems in the world”.
I’d like to emphasize that opposing divestment does not mean
pro-apartheid.
Our investments are not limited to one country. In fact, PSU
has investments in other corporations operating out of several
countries. These countries also have different governmental
systems. So, $6.6 million invested in companies located in South
Africa is no unique circumstance.
Why pull resources out of this country and put it under undue
economic stress? Pulling out will not augment the strife in South
Africa. In fact, it may enlarge the problem by hampering
economic growth.
Divestment would not only slow economic growth, but it
would destroy what little stability the country is now experienc
ing. Perhaps leaving investments will not immediatelly aide the
Blacks situation. However, withdrawal of investments—as far as
I can see-would only add to the powder keg.
Penn State has already made a stance. Investments have since
been pulled out of companies not complying with the Sullivan
Principles. By doing so, the University, in a sense, promotes the
principles of equal pay and employment opportunities and pro
motes confidence within the Black South African population—
thereby denouncing apartheid policies.
South Africa’s situation remains complex and volatile. I feel
divestment could only bring about explosive consequences,
lengthening an already tiresome dispute.
Paula Maus
Collegian Editor
the Penn State-Behrend Jtallegian
Sports Editor. Jim Parachini Business Manager Joe Kuvshinikov
Ad Managers Dan King Photo Coordinator Napoleon Birch
Steve Roney Advisor Robert DiNicola
Staff
Jim Cooper
Kim Ford
Barbara Golden
Greg Goldsmith
Travis Golnes
Mailing Address • B«hrand Collegian, Station Road, Erie, PA 16SS3
Office located in Reed Union Bulding
Office Hours - 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Monday through Friday
Phone: 89&5221
Opinions expressed by the editors and staff of the Penn State-Behrend Collegian are not necessarily those of the University Administration,
faculty, or the student body.
Member of The Press Association
Editor Paula Maus
Paul Kitchen
Roni Sue Kowal
Suzanne Nathans
Barrett Parker
Should Penn State divest all of
their stocks in South Africa? This
subject is the hottest topic on
campus at the moment. Many
students feel that the University
should divest, but very few are
willing to support it.
At this very moment Penn State
has at least 6.6 million dollars in
vested in South Africa. Many
Africans are willing to live with
APARTHEID
In the last issue of the Collegian
apartheid was defined and many
examples were given: I recieved
many comments on this topic and
letters were written. But problems
in South Africa have not improv
ed at all. There has been talk
about the end of pass laws for
South Africans. According to the
New York .Times govemment-
Travis,
After reading the article about
the situation concerning South
Africa in the last issue of The Col
legian, I felt compelled to write
and state my opinion on what
should be done.
I’m not in favor of violence for
resolving issues or disagreements.
I believe it is one of the more
primitive methods of settling
Mr. Toth,
After reading your response, I
was encouraged to hear that so
meone stands up and speaks
Karen R. Pastorik Tracy Simmons
Greg Rathbun Tammy Starcher
Sue Rattenbury Dave Stolnacker
Robert Roth Anne Waskowitz
Lisa Scherer Michael Wimms
Patrick Schlipf Mark Wuerthele
REPRESENTED FOR NATIONAL ADVERTISING BY
CASS Student Advertising, Incorporated
1633 West Central St.
Evanston, Illinois 60201
DIVESTITURE
Get the latest
student activity
tips.
Call the Hotline
898*6211
after 5 p.m. on weekdays
24 hours a day on weekends
opinion
reader opinion
divestment even if it means losing
their jobs or improving living con
ditions in their community.
One of the two legislative
houses of the Episcopal churches
voted to divest itself of its
holdings in companies doing
business in South Africa. The in
vestment portfolio of the national
church is priced at 75 million
dollars and that of its pension
funds at 700 million.
If one church can take a stand
sponsored the abolition of key
apartheid legislation. It recom
mended that the government
repeal South Africa’s so-called
pass laws and other legislation
designed to restrict the number of
blacks allowed to live in
townships.
The laws, know as influx con
trol measures, enforce apartheid
by insuring that there are no
disputes, and we as humans
should be capable of better means
to achieve our ends. However, the
situation in South Africa is dif
ferent. It is not a disagreement
about something trivial, instead,
it involves the violation of human
rights. Sometimes revolting with
violence is the only effective
means to an end. I should point
out to the people against fighting
that the 13 colonies did exactly the
same thing before we became the
against apartheid.
You stated that you believe the very important sense. Sometimes
blacks should fight, but keep in it is better to fight on one’s feet,
mind that they have no weapons than the live on one’s knees,
to fight with. Yours truly,
The points stated in your letter Travis
The Behrend Collegian’s editorial opinion is determined by
the Editor, with the Editor holding final responsibility. Opi
nions expressed on the editorial-pages are not necessarily
those of The Behrend Collegian, The Behrend College, or The
Pennsylvania State University. Brown-Thompson
Newspapers, the publishers of The Behrend Collegian , is a
separate corporate institution from Penn State.
Letters Policy: The Behrend Collegian encourages comments
on news coverage, editorial policy and University affairs. Let
ters should be typewritten, double-spaced, signed by no more
than two people, and not longer than 400 words. Students’
letters should include the semester and major of the writer.
Letters from alumni should include the major and year of
graduation of the writer. All writers should provide their ad
dress and phone number for verification of the letter. The
Collegian reserves the right to edit letters for length, and to
reject letters if they are libelous or do not conform to stan
dards of good taste.
Postal Information: The Behrend Collegian (898-6221) is
published fourteen times annually (seven times during each
academic semester at The Behrend College) by the students of
The Behrend College; The Reed Union Building, Station
Road, Erie, PA 16563.
Editorial Policy
and refuse to support apartheid
why should Penn State sit down
and talk about this current situa
tion. If the University decides to
divest I’m sure that it will put
much pressure on South African
government. After all the argu
ment, divestment has in fact
begun; in the last four months
nearly a tenth of the 2.3 billion
dollars in direct U.S. corporate in
vestment in South Africa has been
withdrawn.
blacks in the white-dominated
separate residential areas outside
the white cities.
Something must be done about
this situation and soon. What
South Africa’s government calls
civil rights are causing more
violence everyday.
SEND YOUR VIEWS AND
LETTER TO TRAVIS IN CARE
OF THE COLLEGIAN.
United States. There are many in
stances in history where revolu
tion was a very beneficial act.
Should the blacks sit back and
hope for the best or should they
fight for their rights? I believe
they should fight. What about all
the blacks that will die because of
their revolting? Sometimes it’s
better to die on one’s feet than live
on one’s knees.
Norm Toth
Third Semester, Accounting
were moving and encouraging in a