i w a W lp z R 4 k M t a i e s r l 3 G 4 i } i , i 1 .. one=,. Z x } } t Page 4-Tuesday, February 13, 1979-The Michigan Daily DECISION-MAKING A T THE 'U': Minorities win demands The following article is the first in a series of six articles based on a research project titled, "Conflict and Power On The Campus: Studies In The Political Economy of the University of Michigan, " written by students Andy Brown, Harley Frazis, Jim Robb, Mike Taylor, and Eitan. Yanich, and Associate Professor of Economics Tom Weisskopf. During Winter Term 1978, the group studied decision-making at the University by investigating specific examples of major conflict, by analyzing the University budget, and by looking at the official and unofficial roles of students, faculty, adminstrators and Regents in day- to-day decision-making. Copies of the full report can be found in the stacks and in the reserve reading room in the Graduate Library and at the Guild House library. The research was conducted as part of the Student/Faculty Resear- ch Community (SFRC) of the Residential College Social Science Program. Funded in part by the Fund for the Improvement of Post- Secondary Education, the SFRC has for three years provided students and faculty with the opportunity to learn and teach outside of a classroom setting. Faculty members and students share resources and work together on research projects of mutual interest. The SFRC office is at 107 Tyler, East Quad. The Black Action Movement Strike of 1970 The Black Action Movement (BAM) strike of 1970 was one of the most critical events in the history of the University of Michigan: it virtually closed down much of the University for two weeks. Unlike other major student protests in Ann Arbor, the BAM strike was the only instance in which the students of the University won their demands through a successful class strike. In 1969 the University's black enrollment was only 3 per cent. Late that year, some black students decided that it was time to change this situation. In January 1970, the Student Gover- nment Council, the Graduate Assem- bly, the Black Student Union, and the Social Work Student Union issued a joint statement, asking that the Univer- sity actively recruit minority students and provide them with financial aid. Af- ter several discussions between the administration and blacks, a group of black students were invited to President Robben Fleming's house for a dinner and discussion in nearly February. THE DAY BEFORE the dinner, black student leaders prepared a new list of demands. It was then that BAM, a coalition of several black student organizations, was formed. The, next night, instead of attending the dinner, BAM held a demonstration in front.of Fleming's house and gave him their demands. BAM demanded the hiring of several graduate and nine undergraduate full- time minority recruiters, a minimal black enrollment of 10 per cent by 1973-" 74 and 900 new black students for 1971- 72, black faculty recruiting, supporting services, increased financial aid, an ~improved black studies program, a black student center, Chicano student recruiting, and to be called black, not Negro, in all University publications and classrooms. On February 12th, Fleming stated that he was in agreement with "the merits" of the BAM demands, but war- ned that funding for the demands would be "very difficult." At the Februry 19th Regents meeting, BAM supported tuition waivers for minority students but Fleming and the Regents failed to take any action on their demands. That evening, about 25 blacks took hundreds of books off the shelves in the UGLI to protest the University's opposition to their demands. This action spurred Fleming to request that police be stationed on the major libraries on campus. DURING THE NEXT few weeks, support for the BAM demands became more widespread. Black students in- terrupted classes to read and discuss the BAM demands. BAM held a forum on black issues in Rackham Auditorium, and various faculty and student groups e demands. On March 18th, a attended by 500 ministration presen crease black enroll cent. They also a were setting a blac 10 per cent by 1973 the difference bet crease to support 2 ts (1800 blacks) enrolling 3300 blac that the "Universi above 2100 'studen 2100 won't get Un Darryl Gorman o administration pro weasel-worded pro through clas ndorsed the BAM called for a "moratorium" on Univer- sity activities. t a Regents meeting On Thursday, March 19th, the strike people, the ad- began. The Regents approved the ad- nted a proposal to in- ministration's proposal, while also set- ment to about 55 per ting "an admissions goal which is nnounced that they designed to produce by 1973-74 ad- k enrollment goal of missions aimed at 10 per cent . When asked about enrollment of black students." But ween a funding in- BAM was still far from satisfied. 100 minority studen- ON MARCH 20TH, the Honors Con- and the goal of vocation was interrupted by a band of ks, Fleming replied black students who marched up and ty should try to go down the aisles in Hill Auditorium ts, but those above shouting: "Open it up or shut it down!" niversity funding." The following week white student f BAM termed the organizations rallied in support of the )posal a "nebulous, strike, and 175 professors and teaching position," and BAM assistants- joined the strike. Dean William Hays of LSA said that the stike "doesn't seem very successful," but many LSA faculty saw attendance declines of 30-50 per cent. On Tuesday, the Residential College faculty and students voted to close down for the duration of the strike. The Institute for Social Research and the School of Social Work also shut down. 100 professors and 200 teaching assistants went op strike. LSA atten- dance was down 40-50 per cent. But the administration refused to change its position. In the words' of then-Regent a- = Lawrence Lindemer, the students could "strike until hell freezes over, as far-as I'm concerned." ON WEDNESDAY, LSA attendance \Was down 60 per cent. The University Faculty Senate passed a unanimous resolution calling on schools and colleges to make the necessary ad- missions and budgetary decisions to achieve the 1973 goal. On Thursday, LSA attendance was . down 75 per cent. That day, the College eands called for aof Engineering agreed to fund 10per giefancaled fo cent black new admissions for the 1971- give financial aid to 72 academic year, so BAM agreed not to disrupt any more engineering s strike classes. This was an important ste because it demonstrated that a colle was willing to commit itself to fundi additional minority enrollment from i academic budget.' BAM had got beyond dealing just with Universit administrators, and was working wit the academic departments and schoo as well. On Friday, March!27th, the LS/ Chemistry, and Economics Building were all closed. Also, AFSCME cam out in support of the strike, and th University Food Service was virtual] shut down, with one or two dorms se: ving breakfast but no 'dorms servin lunch or dinner. That day, the entir LSA faculty voted to commit itself i funding 10 per cent black enrollment b 1973 with money fron departmer budgets. In light of this vote, Presidei Fleming announced that "funding for 10 per cent enrollment of blacks by 19', is virtually assured." THOUGH THE 10 per cent fundin assurance satisfied the mrain BA] demand, the strike was not yet ove: BAM held negotiations with the ai ministration, and on April 1st, 'with tf Regents agreeing to all of'their kE demands, BAM called off the strik, The Regents issued a statement "rea firming" their support of BAM demands and tactics, and stating th, "the public schould take note that tf black students have, unlike many of ti white radicals who seem bent c destruction for its own sake, been pu suing the legitimate objectives of tryir to make more educational oppo: tunities available for their people." Darryl Gorman of BAM wasn't t< surprised that the University consent( to their demands. He declared, "TI University will do anything to surviv4 it will even do right." Tomorrow: Was the BAM strike success? Students march to support the BAM strike in 1970. Their d University commitment to increase black enrollment and several minorities. 420 Maynard St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109 Eighty-Nine Years of Editorial Freedom Vol. LXXXIX, No. 112 News Phone: 764-0552 Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan ," Gov't studei W HEN PRESIDENT Carter proposed his 1980 budget last month, he asked Congress to eliminate Social Security benefits for full-time unmarried 18- to 22-year-old college students with disabled, retired, or deceased parents. This cutback would serious threaten the future college education of many of the nation's youth by removing an essential part of their finances. The General Accounting Office asserted last week that Social Security student benefits are "duplicated" by other forms of student assistance, such as the basic educational opportunity grant from the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. But actually, it is questionable whether the present funds are even adequate enough to pay for a college education. College costs throughout the country are rising at a rapid rate. It is expected that next year's tuition rate at the University may increase by as much as 9.5 per cent. As Charles Saunders, vice-president of the American Council on Education points out, the students receiving the .t funds vital benefits deserve the funds because their parents had supported the program by paying taxes. Fortunately, it is now very unlikely that the Congress will pass the ad- ministration's proposal. The powerful Social Security Subcommittee of' the House Ways and Means Committee opposes the cutback which almost automatically kills the proposal when it goes before the full House. This cutback in crucial aid to college students symbolizes the warped sense of priorities the Carter Administration has undertaken in its budget outline. At the same time it called for slashes in Social Security benefits, the ad- ministration proposed strong -in- creases in the defense budget. Government benefits due U.S. citizens for educational purposes should not be sacrificed for un- necessary increases in the defense budget. We urge President Carter to quickly review his administration's budget priorities to provide for the country's more basic needs. There are probably Joel Samoffs all over the country. Samoff is the out-spoken assistant professor of political science on campus who hasn't been able to find enough suppor- tive colleagues or sympathetic administrators to grant his request for tenure. He's not likely to receive the lifetime contract: either because, as his supporters claim, he is a Marxist political economist among Capitalist peers, or because, as the professors who have opposed his request have said, his resear- ch is not of the quality or quantity befitting a potential associate professor. A similar case has reached about the same stage at the University of Texas in the School's Government Depar- tment. Like Samoff, Armando Gutierrez is reputed to be a superlative teacher. Like Samoff, he's supported by a dogged group of students and professors who've staged rallies and gathered signatures in his behalf. Like Samoff, the Texan has a political affiliation that his supporters claim is keeping him out of the tenure club - he's active in the Chicano movement. And like Samoff, Gutierrez man soon be forced to end his association with his department. BUT THERE'S a move in Texas to change the tenure system. According to a column by A. Scott Sudduth which recently ap- peared in the student newspaper, The Daily Texan, Texas House Bill 145 could solve many problems to the present struggle, essentially by eliminating tenure. The bill, proposed by a Republican representative and still in committee, would replace the present do-or-die tenure decisions with periodic contract renewals. Every five, six, or seven years Granting tenure in six year stints the university would draw up a contract with the faculty member agreeing to a written statement of goals that he or she expects to meet during the term of the con- tract. On the basis of annual reviews by the department to determine whether the objectives in ;research, teaching, and ser- vice have been met, professors would be asked to work out ' new contract or look for a new iob. The most convincing argument for the bill, according to Sudduth, is that the intangibles of the tenure selection process would be cut down. Vague references to quality publishing and national visibility would vanish when put to the crucial test: Can it be put in the terms required for a binding contract?" HE ALSO POINTS out that the AFTER CLASS b rian Blanchard " a team of lawyer 'to draft mod contracts demonstrating th proper use of "herebys" an "pursuent tos" for use in Ca bridge and Berkeley, Austin an Fairbanks. UNFORTUNATELY fors thi ambitious plan, professors don work that way, and neither do academic freedom., But short-term contracts won do that. 'The professor ir vestigating electron spin m devote a lifetime on a theory th: just doesn't work, or he m enlighten thousands of student none4of whom leave more th notes of appreciation for his i struction. That's not -to say profess can't be evaluated, but not in t legal terminology mentioned i contract. We might end up with mo carefully assembled book lis but it would certainly a dangerously self-conscio group of professors. And, finally, of course, there the question Rep. Gaston put well. This profession, of professions, is one that must safe from the hazards of faddi decision-making and politics. If Joel Samoff and Armna Gutierrez are granted tenure, would not want either to have mount the same struggles ev six years for the rest of th 'ives. Should the department head recommend that the contract be ended, the professor could appeal his case to a committee con- sisting of the department chair- person and professors from various departments, appointed by the university's president. THE MEASURE includes a "grandfather clause" which would force current faculty members to come up with a con- tract by 1990. Sudduth quotes the author of the bill, Rep. Frank Gaston (R- Dallas): "Why should this profession of all professions be guaranteed for life?" new system would improve the professorial stock by making each professor more accoun- table. "In essence, the bill would insure a high level of excellence among teachers and promote' competition on a professional level." Like primary and secondary schoolteachers, then, professors would teach under contracts. The bill calls for individualized con- tracts instead of those reached by collective bargaining, the almost year-round haggling between powerful teachers' unions and rich school boards. Presumably, the American Association of University Professors would hire Brian Blanchard is Unive sity Editor of the Daily. B ginning today, this coln will appear every other Tue day. u o LoSIN& tvJINo I'wn TNM 1 1SF iR - -.i RAN? ~I Letters Bakery To the Daily: I am a co-ordinator of Wildflour Community Bakery writing in response to your article on the Co-op Bakery (from the 1/31/79 paper) 'First, we appreciate your attendance, interest, and input at the Community Involvement Meeting. Too often in the past few people besides co-ordinators have come to these meetings so it was really wonderful to not only have your presence but also to have an article about what went on! However, we would like to correct a few statements which we feel aren't accurate, or may be misleading. Let me stress, we are a financially sound business. nD---- _- n- n n- nrn --e. . we are doing. These problems do not feel as major to us, as the ar- ticle portrays them. Also, the people who are in the Deferred Sentencing program mean a lot to us. They are among our most consistent volunteers and are hard workers and lovely people. They are a tre'mendous asset to the bakery's atmosphere and energy level. A few things not mentioned are: You can buy wildflourbread at People's Food Co-op located on Packard, near Arch Street, which is very close to campus. Also we have two prices for bread: discount, if you work for an hour, and retail if you don't. The whole wheat is $1.02 at retail price and. 84ยข at discount price for a 112 lb. loaf. And last, if you volunteer at the bakery for 1%/z hours, you get a free loaf of bread! Thanks again to the Daily for technology. Just two years ago, the Energy Research and Development Ad- ministration, now the Depar- tment of Energy, was actively investigating the salt beds of nor- thern lower Michigan for a nuclear waste dump. A con- sultant for the nuclear industry was brought to the area to assure the residents that there were no waste disposal problems without solutions. The plan was to glassify the waste in large, stainless steel canisters and lower it ap- proximately 1,000 feet into the salt beds. Recent studies have cast serious doubt on the ad- visability of such a procedure. In the August 5, 1977 issue of Science Magazine, a French research team advised that these wastes be disposed of in dry nmaing freo nf a mainr ornnd leachable and to store nuclea waste in glass is "what you woul do. . . to maximize activity in th geologic environment." 2) Dr. David Stewart, of t U.S. Geologic Survey, says th "salt is not dry and it's not O.K. Recent studies show that sa contains traces of water an chemical impurities resulting i a corrosive liquid which whe' combined with heat and pressur can eat through stainless steel i a matter of days. 3) Dr. Ferruccia Gera, of tl Oak Ridge National Laborators says that "it is virtually in possible to make a rational cas for any specific . . . length c required containment. . . 100,00 years or . . exceeding fiv million years. 4) At a Materials Researc Society meeting in Boston i early December, 1978 a doze '~i ~L~' ~ ~' b~~J~U1%~' NIIFa .~ ~ K 1W MA ~ 4