•Slje Bufee Chronicle
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•Slje Bufee Chronicle Volume 64, Number 80 Duke University, Durham, N.C. Thursday, Feb. 13, 1969 Blacks occupy Allen, ask demands action About 75 Afro-Americans who flunked out of Duke last occupants of Alien Building have students seized the first floor of the semester, an increase in the black enough food to remain for a week. Allen Building early this morning. student population to equal 29% by Speaking through a window of They have barricaded themselves 1973, a black advisor selected by Allen Building, he said that no in at both ends of the building and the Afro-Americans, a summer property has been destroyed nor & have warned they will burn the files program for entering freshmen, an there any intention to do sd. » containing nearly all student end to police harassment of black However, if attacked, the black records if police are sent in. They students, more black professors, an students will defend the black have renamed the building, "The end to the University's "racist" women in the building. Hopkins Malcolm X Liberation School." policies, an end to the grading said that 25 to 50 faculty members President Douglas Knight is system for black students, and would interpose themselves returning from New York City, amnesty. between the police and the •EMzmZ .... .. _ where he was on business. White students on campus called occupying students. Photo by Terry Wolff The black students have a list of a forum for 11:30 to support the Shown above are two outstanding leaders of Black Week; Adrenee Glover, thirteen demands. They want a blacks and decide on action. Right-wing students, including active on Seminar organization, and Bill Turner, chairman of the highly Black Studies program, which they In a 9 a.m. statement, the blacks members of the Young Americans acclaimed black drama. will control, a black dormitory, the said, "We seized the building for Freedom, were said to be reinstatement of black students because we have been negotiating considering "direct action" against with the Duke administration and the blacks, possibly including ah faculty concerning different issues invasion of the occupied building. that effect black students for 2*6 University Provost Marcus UNC faculty urge black study years. We have no meaningful Hobbes asked the blacks to send results. We have exhausted all the five representatives to his second so-called proper channels." floor office this afternoon. They By Mark Stancato recognize the validity and Finally, the Chancellor's reply' Staff writer Chuck Hopkins, spokesman for refused however, preferring to importance" of the demands made avoided mention of the areas in the Afro-Americans, said that the remain together on the first floor The Daily Tar Heel recently by the blacks, or the problems that which the University can provide printed a letter urging black studies instigated the demands. leadership and initiative. at the University of North Carolina. The faculty were prompted to In addition to criticizing Signed by 53 members of UNC's action by Sitterson's failure to Sitterson's non-committal stance, The real world faculty and addressed to the acknowledge racial inequality in the the faculty members made five University Community, the letter state and the nation. Furthermore, suggestions to remedy the injustices Gov. Rockefeller recommends that the 10% surcharge be retained criticizes the Universities failure to Sitterson's reply "seriously in the community: but the revenue be turned over to the states. Page 3. cope with the problems of black exaggerated the extent to which the students. 1. A positive role for the University has already dealt with University in the community Russian ABM system 3/4 complete. Page 11. Chancellor Sitterson, according the issues raised by the Black to the letter, "did not adequately 2. Equitable conditions of Student Movement." employment for non-academic British Prime Minister Wilson strongly endorses decision to hold employees presidential election in West Berlin. Page 5. 3. An A fr o -American curriculum Dean's letter ok'd 4. An active recruitment program 'Black Week' spurs 5. Assistance of existing By Candy Carraway programs Staff writer A surprised Dean J.L. Meriam, The faculty concluded with the greater Afro unity Engineering dean, received 50 to 60 following remark: "We propose letters in response to his letter to these various programs in the name By Julie Logan and .Gary Wein President Knight concerning the of justice. Procrastination in their involved in at Duke. It is regrettable Staff writers that the Administration had never permissive attitude of the implementation will simply mean a "Black Week was the first time University. The letter which was further delay in the realization of taken the responsibility to do this we blacks felt part of Duke for us." printed in the Chronicle made meaningful equality of opportunity University. It is sad that we had to specific references to articles for black persons in our state and With this statement, Bill Werner, take it upon ourselves to find a participant in Black Week, printed in the Chronicle and the nation. We abhor such a delay." something that we could be appearance of controversial expressed the prevailing sentiment among black students concerning All of the letters from alumni, the effect of last week's program. students, and faculty were Blacks agreed that perhaps trie "one-hundred per cent supportive Freshmen question most important outcome of Black with one minor exception who felt Week was the increased feeling of we ought to open the door a little unity among themselves. It was the more than I implied," Meriam said. climax in a series of attempts to "The response was much more selective system develop solidarity among blacks on than I expected. I was pleased by campus. "Not only was this politically effective, but it was also student comments," Meriam added. By Bob Dunn consequences of either being forced The tone of the letters was in J.L. Meriam good for us socially," commented Staff writer off-campus, or stuck in the midst of George Phillips. "We had parties Meriam's opinion "thank goodness Fifteen members of the a frat section. someone's stating what we all feel." and for the first time felt a part of open and honest approach. It is freshman class met Tuesday night Opposing viewpoints were the Duke community. A senior faculty member's letter certainly imperative that thoughtful to examine the present West brought up by AIH President read "The line has to be drawn and constructive persons are heard Campus living system, and to Frazier Owen. Assistant C hu ck Ho pkins, emphasizing somewhere and as you say we have from before anarchists and deviates determine a method of voicing this Housemasters Keith Kennedy and this positive effect of the program, the duty to impose on students as win by default." dissatisfaction. Tom Skrivner were among several stated, "Working together and part of their education ordinarily Dean Meriam admitted that the They decided to distribute a upperclassmen at the meeting in ironing out problems together did a accepted moral standards as well as letters were not representative of petition, expressing to the support of a non-selectivity lot to develop camaraderie among standards of responsible journalism the sentiments of the entire University "dissatisfaction with movement. Kennedy commented, black students." (and writing) higher than those of University community. selective living," and calling for "a "The problem on this campus is Purpose of Black Week the poorer press of the country. "My letter was written from one year moratorium on selectivity that several groups think that "The purpose of Black Week was "Every trip to town or excursion pure conviction," he added. "It's for independent cross-sectional selecting its members will create a to educate, not to entertain; and I out into the state or letter from an not comfortable to be attacked and houses." All freshmen men not better group, which is not feel that we failed somewhat in this alumnus exposes me, who used to yet when you have convictions you pledged to a fraternity will be asked necessarily the case. Selections respect as the only events well be proud of being a member of ought to be willing to stand up for to sign the petition, which will be causes an emotional strain on a attended by whites were the Duke University, to humiliating them." given to the administration early frosh, and is completely entertaining ones," said Chuck attacks against which I am unable In regard to newspapers' printing next week. unnecessary to create a unified Hophins. Affirming this statement, to defend this institution. obscenities Meriam said, "The basic The group felt that it was wrong group." Bill Werner called the dramas, "the "It is frightening to reflect how issues are courtesy, for a freshman to be forced to get There will be a table set up in most successful aspect of the low we have sunk in the past several open-mindedness, and respect. I into some selective independent the main quad the remainder of this week," as Branson Auditorium was years." feel you don't really have to defend house. If someone were not to get week where freshman men are overcrowded when the dramas were A non-academic employee wrote decency. It stands on its o*--^ into the house of his choice, under urged to meet in support of this presented to the public. "I want to commend you for your merits." the present system, he would face measure. (Continued on Page 2) FSgeTwo The Duke Chronicle Thursday, Feb. 13,1969 SLF endorses Afros J 'Blac¥ Week' poll The latest demands of the Duke Following a brief preliminary •> • _.JL._ Afro-American Society received meeting, the members divided into The purpose of this polling is to obtain an indication of white response to additional support last night with three discussion groups.