Pandora's Box Vol. 34 No. 2

PAN DORA'S BOX Vol. XXXIV No. 2 York College of the City of New York Jamaica, Queens March-April 1993 Students Walk Out To Protest Goldstein Report paraded down Guy Brewer on to Archer Av- of the Goldstein Report,"said one speaker. enue, then on to Jamaica Avenue where they "We feel that the individual CUNY cam- blocked midday traffic. Throughout the puses must be strengthened rather than march, the police attempted to herd the weakened - which is what the Report seeks crowd back to York. But the marchers con- to do. We don't need the restraints or the tinued past the police, down Guy Brewer limitations that the Report has to offer." Boulevard to 109th Avenue and, eventually, on to Merrick Boulevard. From Merrick, the marchers returned to York. Along the way, close to one hundred police officers, fifteen seargents, three captains, and ten police ve- hicles were deployed, as one captain stated, to "control traffic." "For some strange reason, in America, when Africans and Latinos mobilize them- selves for the sake of national liberation, it is considered a subversive threat," said York students march down Merrick Boulevard to dramatize their objections Michael Wallace, member of POWER. to Goldstein report. "This is in a country that talks so much about freedom of expression and democracy." By Baraka Dorsey and Fritz Mesadieu tem doesn't want us to get an education," Samantha Asche, another member of Managing Editor and Staff Reporter said Derby Desmorins, treasurer of the Hai- POWER, equated this march with those con- tian Club. "No matter what we do, they are ducted by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, On March 10, students and staff of York going to execute their plan. So, we must Jr. College walked out of their classes, off their take our future into our hands." "When King, who advocated non-vio- jobs, and on to the streets of Jamaica, The organizers of the march, the lence, took to the streets the police came out Queens to show their opposition to CUNY People's Organization Working for Educa- in masse," said Asche. "They were de- Chancellor Winnetka Ann Reynolds' tional Rights (POWER) and the Political ployed, not necessarily to protect the march- Goldstein Report. Science Club, were encouraged by the ers from the racist counter-demonstrators, Uniting to combat what they feel is an overwhelming student participation. but in order to control the march and try to effort to turn York College into a technical "We were really impressed by the num- limit its effectiveness." school, an estimated 2,000 students and staff ber of students who actually showed up," After the march, the students returned to marched through the community in a sign said Jose Rivas of the Political Science the Atrium where they were addressed by of solidarity reminiscent of the civil rights Club. "They showed us that they really do members of both POWER and the Political March shows unity and determination. marches of the 1960's. care about what happens to their school." Science Club. "I don't believe in the system. The sys- Starting from the Atrium, the marchers "We utterly reject the recommendations Community Rallies Behind York To Combat Report INSIDE W. Ann Reynolds to assist the University in maximizing its use of funds and resources. In order to meet this objective, the Commit- tee reviewed academic programs at the York Response University's individual units. To Report Page 4 Upon discovering a great deal of dispar- ity in student demand for, and enrollment in, many majors and courses, the Committee ESL Students recommended CUNY-wide consolidation of these programs. This would supposedly Speak Up Page 5 "strengthen the University and its constitu- ent colleges" without diminishing their vi- tality. York Talk Page 6 The Committee's version of consolidation Borough President Claire Schulman encourages community to support York. entails "phasing-out" underutilized programs at some colleges while further developing Where Your programs at others. Although the By Tanya M. Hines "In the sixties, we fought to establish Committee's recommendations appear to Money Goes...Page 7 Senior Editor York College," said State Senator Alton satisfy the charge given them by the Chan- Waldon. "Now we are in the nineties and cellor, York College and its avid community YSG On March 11, York College and the Ja- we must fight again to keep York as a bea- supporters are dissatisfied with this proposal maica Community joined forces for a march con of educational hope - a four-year lib- which may diminish the college as a viable Elections Page 8 from the college to Amity Baptist Church eral arts college." Liberal Arts institution. where students, clergy, elected officials and The Goldstein Report results from the "I remember when the community got Birch local leaders conducted a rally to inform the findings of a committee consisting of four together and said, loud and clear, that we community about the Goldstein Report, and CUNY College presidents and various pro- Exhibit Page 10 obtain support against its implementation. fessors. They were charged by Chancellor Continued on page 13. March-April 1993 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Power Is What Students Need SMC Will Lead The Way tinued leadership. Remember — together we Dear Editor: futures remain unstable. Dear Editor: aspire, together we achieve. Because of the apathetic and complacent I wish to inform the York College com- The Student Multi-Ethnic Coalition stance that YSG has taken, on this and other munity, particularly the student body, about (SMC) is geared up for the coming elec- Sincerely, issues, we strongly feel that there is an im- a new group on campus: the People's Or- tions. We are fully prepared to serve you mediate need for change in York's Student ganization Working for Educational Rights as your elected leaders, which is why we Robert Hudson Government. That's why we've put to- (P.O.W.E.R). We came into existence will run our candidates "At-Large." We can gether a slate for this year's YSG elections. SMC shortly after the public release of the stand on our record of successes in the past (A detailed plan and program is available "Goldstein Report," which advocates turn- years and we will continue to build upon that upon request.) The folowing is a partial list ing York and other CUNY colleges with record. of our agenda: Christopher Chaney high African, Latino, and Asian student en- As you know, we led and are continuing rollment into technical schools. Due to the the fight against the Goldstein Report. Our Editor-in-Chief " 1. "No" to all the recommendations made total lack of leadership from York's Student strategy was complex, yet highly effective. by the "Goldstein Report" — no cuts in Government (YSG), we decided to fill that We built a strong coalition of the press, com- course offerings, instead more courses and vacuum and spearhead the struggle here on munity, elected officials, business and reli- programs. campus against the racist "Goldstein Re- gious leaders — drawing attention to our 2. More full-time faculty that are represen- Tanya M. Hines port." cause. One only has to look at the commu- tative of the student body and sensitive to nity meeting at Amity Baptist Church for Senior Editor We organized over eight forums to edu- its needs. cate the student body of the ramifications proof of what our widely praised efforts 3. The publication of teacher evaluations, of the Report. When we first started, many yielded. We did not do the easy things — so as to help students better choose their had never heard about the Report. But, making noise with no substance or spread- classes and professors during pre-registra- within two weeks, almost everyone knew ing misinformation. You elected us to be tion and registration. Baraka Dorsey what the Report was about and what it responsible, and we were. 4. To keep library and computer labs open Managing Editor meant to York College students. We were until 2 a.m. during finals week, when most This year, we expanded our efforts to basically doing the job of York's Student papers are due. defeat the Goldstein Report. And, as part of Government — to inform the students and our agenda, we provided you with the much 5. A student advisory board, which will be their advocates. needed coat-check room and lockers. We evaluate and recommend faculty for full- expanded the emergency loan program and On March 10, we organized a walk-out, time positions. G.A. Watkins the book bank, increased student insurance which involved over one thousand students. 6. Begin construction on the Student Union Feature Editor coverage, provided graduate school prepa- We marched around the streets of Jamaica Building — the money has already been al- ratory courses, and extended library hours. to inform the community of our struggle. located. We kept the students orderly, non-violent, Next year, we intend to work towards in- 7. Encourage smaller class sizes. and disciplined throughout the march. creasing class offerings and sections, pro- 8. Build stronger student unity through viding better childcare facilities, scholarship ShariffAIi On March 31st, the day all the CUNY more student activities on campus. college presidents were to submit their writ- opportunities, student development semi- When you vote for the P.O.W.E.R. slate, Entertainment Editor ten objections to the "Goldstein Report," we nars, mentor-mentee programs, and cultural you vote for a strong, independent and un- organized a rally in front of Chancellor activities. We will be extending the student compromising student voice. Reynolds' office building at 80th Street in government services already provided and Manhattan.

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