Collegian
February 20, 1986
Black students unite to battle decision on divestment
University Park, PA—Penn State
President Bryce Jordan said he
"regrets very much the course of
action" taken by a coalition of
black students to protest Universi
ty investments in companies doing
business in South Africa.
A resolution by the group in
dicated they will not offer support
to University efforts to recruit
minority students.
"I have read the resolution
adopted by the Black Student
Coalition Against Racism and
regret very much the course,of ac
tion it proposes," Dr. Jordan
said. _
"I understand the anger and
anguish these students feel. We
are all sickened by what is hap
pening in South Africa. The issue
is not whether apartheid is evil,
but rather how one combats that
horrible situation.
"We believe the Sullivan Prin
ciples are a positive force in an
Faculty Council meeting continued from page 1
chaired by David Sturitz, music instructor, recom
mended that both freshmen-and sophomores receive
20 percent of the scholarship pool with juniors and
seniors both receiving 30 percent.
"Since 60 percent of scholarship funds are set
aside for upperclassmen, the scholarships should
have a positive impact and retention should im
prove," Gerow said.
If the recommended procedures are adopted, the
scholarships will be awarded according to the follow
ing general criteria in decreasing order of priority:
Freshmen: 1) Level of scholarship: minimum 3.0
predicted grade point average 2) Letters of recom
mendation from high school faculty and/ or ad
ministrators 3) Extra-curricular activities 4) Finan
cial need.
Sophomores: 1) Minimum 3.0 grade point average
with satisfactory academic progress 2) Intended
Behrend major 3) Letters of recommendation from
Behrend faculty/staff 4) Extra-curricular activities 5)
Financial need.
Juniors and
Seniors: 1) Behrend major 2) Minimum 3.0 grade
point average with satisfactory academic progress 3)
Letters of recommendation from Behrend facul
ty/staff 4) Extra-curricular activities 5) Financial
need.
Another matter ventilated was student attendance
and classroom conduct. The Undergraduate Studies
Committee, chaired by Mary Chisholm, assistant
professor of chemistry, deliberated whether there
should be a "need for a Behrend College statement
in addition to University policy, specifying re
quirements for student attendance and classroom
conduct."
The charge arose out of increasing concern by
faculty about declining attendance and deteriorating
classroom conduct. The Committee's statement ad
vised faculty to place clear stipulations on their
course outlines about attendance and conduct.
The Committee also emphasized that "Policies
and Rules for Students" (the student handbook)
contains a section, 42-47, which outlines the Univer
sity attendance policy whereby "class attendance is
important for students and class attendance by
students should be encouraged."
otherwise calamitous situation,"
Jordan said.
The University's Board of
Trustees voted during their
meeting on Jan. 18 not to divest
financial interests in companies
which do business in South Africa
as long as they abide by the
Sullivan Principles; Companies in
compliance with the Sullivan
document are considered to be a
positive social force in a country
where apartheid is law.
Other Board action on the mat
ter included a directive to set in
place academic initiatives, public
forums and careful monitoring of
Sullivan signatories in which the
University has investments. •
"I personally believe that the
Coalition's current effort to link
the call for divestment with a
boycott of the minority recruit
ment program of The Penn
sylvania State University is a
choice that, if successful, will hurt
The Committee recommended that faculty make
the point clear if attendance constitutes a part of the
student's grade.
Discussion on classroom conduct resulted in a
clarification of University policy ("Policies and
Rules for Students 1985-86" page 42.)
Pointed out was the fact that, "not only do
students have a right to classrooms free from disrup
tion, but if such disruption occurs, then facul
ty...have an obligation to maintain a classroom at
mosphere conducive to learning." A faculty member
has a right to direct a disruptive student to leave the
class. The student in question also has a right to a
hearing on the matter.
The reorganization of the Division of Business and
Social Sciences • and Division of Humanities and
Communications stirred much discussion.
As a part of Behrend's MBA program accredita
tion, the Division of Business and Social Sciences
will be realigned into the School of Business with the
Division of Humanities and Communications and
the social sciences organizing into a new division.
The Undergraduate Studies Committee and a
designated sub-committee were consulted by the Pro
vost and charged with developing procedures for the
reorganization. Potential conflicts could arise since
teachers will transfer to new and unfamiliar
divisions.
"Some members of Faculty Council are concerned
about the level of consultation by the administration
on a major reorganization of the college," Gerow
said. "The reorganization will impact on the faculty
promotion and tenure process also," Gerow added.
Faculty Council Chairman, Michael Chiteman,
elaborated to Council the "various steps of the con
sultative process that the Provost had undertaken."
Faculty Council's Research Committee, chaired by
Stuart Allen, associate professor of management,
also reviewed the Associate Provost's report sug
gesting improvements in the selection process for the
Faculty Research Award.
The new procedure will ask each division to select
its strongest candidate based on the following re
quirements: teaching, research, scholarly activity
(publishing) and service . t.Q the college and
community.
The next Faculty Council meeting is slated for
March 19 at 4 p.m. in Nick 111. All are welcome to
attend.
black students who would other
wise have access to the benefits of
a Penn State education," Jordan
"Providing them that oppor
tunity has been paramount in the
University's,minority recruitment
program," he said.
"Penn State's commitment to
minority students is strongly
reflected in the programs and con
siderable financial support that
we already have in place," accor
ding to Jordan. "These programs
and the funds we have put in them
have resulted in important in
creases in minority students,
faculty and staff at Penn State
during the last two years."
The University President
observed that, "Such progress has
been made at Penn State during a
period when most institutions
have seen either little progress or
declines. We are committed to
continuing our efforts in minority
recruitment because we believe it Commonwealth and society
is in the direct interest of the large."
BSCAR reiution:
Penn State directly supports the apartheid system through its in
in South Africa,
--Apart from the dollar value of these My:esti - Items, they also pro
vide technology vital to the maintenance of the South African
government_
Penn State uses the Sullivan Principles as a rationale for their
investments
--In fact, the Sunivan Principles are inadequate to bring about real
change; they affect may one percent of the Black South African
workforce, and have no influence over the apartheid system.
The Board of Trustees, through its is policy in South
Africa, shows no g.ennine concern for the plight of Blacks in South
Africa.
Through .a styles of meetings, rallies.. educational activities and
petitions, these organizations have used all their power in an attempt
to influence the University regarding divestment.
--These efforts have resulted only in a reaffirmation of the 078
decision supporting the Sullivan Principles and the formation of an
advisory committee to President Bryce Jordan. Dr. Jordan has
stated that he, personally arid professionally believes that divestment
is an inappropriate answer to the problem.
Taking these things into consideration, it appears that a unified
response is essential if there is to be any hope that our demands for
divestment be fulfilled.
THEREFORE,
We, the Black community, in order to get the University to divest
fully from companies operating in South Africa, and, to promote a
better envirornitent for the Black community, will now take the
following course of action:
.1. Limit participation in University activities.
a. refuse to assist the University in regular freshmen and transfer
student orientation
b. actively oppose the minority recruitment efforts mandated to
the University
2. Refuse all involvement with companies that operate in South
Africa.
3. Through extensive media coverage, we will voice out
dissatisfaction with and opposition to. the University's attitude and
actions toward the Black community.
4. We will appeal to national organizations such as the NAACP,
the Rainbow Coalition. the Urban League, Trans Africa and the
Black Ministers' Conference in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
5, Ask all students to demonstrate their support by publicly
displaying, for example, a black armband.
These actions. and others that we find'appropriate, shalt be taken
to let the University and the general public know that we will MX
tolerate racism, or support for it , here or abroad*
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