55th Year, No. 23 GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY WASHINGTON, D.C. Friday, April 4, 1975 Commuters Will Sue AskEqual Protection by Lisa S. Smith Commuter representative on the Ralston cabinet Barbara Jackson is seeking free legal counsel m order to bring suit against Georgetown University in DC federal court to alot more freshman commuter beds, Jackson consulted the Georgetown Legal Aid Society which felt that the commuters had a strong case. The law film Covington and Burling was also interested in the case. The Wilmer Cutler and Pickenng firm would take the case only if the commuters could find legal precedence for their claim, and Jackson admits that precedence is one of the major obstacles to obtaining counsel, as few law firms are willing to take a case pro bono (without charge) which has no legal precedence. A legal brief prepared for the of the United States Constitu­ tion of this case because "it looks commuters by the legal aid tion's 14th amendment of equal like an inside battIt' and not a society argued that "Georgetown protection." While it is true that question of civil rights." University students, by admission Georgetown is a private university At the same time, Adrninistra­ :...__............£_l to the University, are entitled to Jackson contends that Georgetown tive Vice President Daruei Alto­ the same quality of education receives enough federal funding to bello expressed confidence that without regard to their personal be considered under the equal the University could win this cas .. residence, and the housing policy protection amendment. But this should' It ever come to trial. Ill' presently practiced is in violation has never been done to any commented that. "You can't private university in court and the confuse the right;, of residencv figures on federal aid to George­ with civil rights." . town are not readily available. According to fedpral rules for O'Hara Proposes Educ. Bill In making the equal protection civil procedure. Jackson would argument. it would have to be like to flit' this suit as a "class proved that commuters are dis­ action" so that if the members of Receives Jesuit Criticism criminated against. Jackson thinks the group pressing suit graduate this is obvious. "Commuters are before a court ruling, the case will by Jim Colaprico wise "to preserve institutions that can't attract paying to be part of the com­ not become moot. But she stated Representative James G. O'Hara (D-Mich.), students" and mentioned that O'Hara will be munity, but they're not part. It's that it is difficult to fill' a "class chairman of the House Subcommittee on Postsec­ presenting another bill that deals with this question. not fair." She continued, "Just action" suit since so many are ondary Education, has submitted a bill to Congress Some critics have expressed doubt that O'Hara because there's a housing short­ flooding the courts at this time that has drawn sharp criticism from the Association has the full backing of his subcommittee. It is noted age, should the commuters bear dealing with the discrimination of of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. that several members appear to support only minor the brunt of it?" other groups. According to a spokesman for the subcommittee, technical revisions. "Certainly there are some Ms. Jackson pointed out that Jackson explained that she was the bill is intended to extend the Higher Education members that I are very pro-institution, but I would both the University and the courts not as interested in going to court Act regarding student financial aid before the Act say that the majority of the committee members recognize the value of campus­ as in settling out of court. But she expires in 1976. The Jesuit schools group has haven't said one way or the other," the spokesman living. She also explained that it is concerned with a more concrete complained that the bill is "deliberately targeted to said. will be difficult to get considers- guarantee of freshman beds. aid students to attend low price, public insti­ tutions." Basically, the bill extends almost all of the current federally administered student aid programs. New SLPC Proposal Eliminates In some areas, modifications are proposed and it is here that the Jesuit schools find objections. "The main concern to Georgetown is that the O'Hara Bill would eliminate institutions as lenders Mandatory Insurance Program under the Federally Insured Student Loan Program. This would severely limit the aid we hand out since by Ann LoLordo continue co offer the insurance policy undergraduate students and nonprofes­ their loans are an awfully big part of our aid The Student Life Policy Committee to them but it will be up to them if they sional graduate students but not for the program," Richard Black, director of financial aid, has voted unanimously in favor of a wish to take it," Dr. Edward Finn, a professional graduate students (medi­ said. three point proposal to disband the member of the committee, said cine, dental and law). "The majority of Other sections of the bill that have drawn mandatory health insurance program. The main problem with the original our students are either covered under criticism include a section that makes money The proposal will be submitted to health insurance program, according to the GU policy or have their own. It was available, under the State Student Incentive Grant University President Rev. R. J. Henle, Fr. Robert Judge, associate dean of essentially unnecessary to make it program, for support to institutions that charge zero SJ, today for approval. students, was that the program made mandatory for everyone," Judge con­ tuition. It also removes the one half cost of The three point measure proposed by health insurance mandatory for all tinued. -education ceiling from the Basic Grants program. Associate Dean of Students and Off­ The Student Health Advisory Com­ This would have the effect of allowing the richer Campus Affairs Bill Schuerman states: mittee is not in agreement with SLPC state institutions to offer larger amounts of money,' 1) that all full time students graduate, proposal. According to Kathy Camicia, under the program, than private schools where undergraduate and professional-receive head of the committee, "We believe that funds are limited. a form allowing them to sign a waiver of health insurance should be mandatorv "It is not easy to understand why he (O'Hara) the University Insurance Policy reo for all students. If students are going to introduced it or what he expects to accomplish by gardless of whether they are covered by be treated next year at the Emergency it. It is particularly cavalier towards private another insurance policy or not 2) that Room of the hospital they should be institutions and middle income students," the Jesuit all full-time sutdents be allowed to insured. The part of the proposal which College association explained in a memo to accept the University Insurance Policy we disagree with is the point which University President R. J. Henle, SJ who also or 3) that all full-time students be allows students to sign a waiver of the expressed 'disatlsfaction with the bill. It also permitted to si~n the waiver on the basis University Insurance regardless of mentioned that the implementation of a member of of possessing some other Insurance whether they are covered by another the O'Hara proposals "may well destroy most policy. insurance policy or not. The two private colleges." "The basic philosophy behind the problems I foresee are that, first of all. The spokesman for the subcommittee stressed unanimous decision regarding the pro­ the University is going to get stuck the point that "this is a student aid bill, not an posal is that students are old enough to footing the bills if students who are institutional aid bill. O'Hara is merely encouraging be responsible for their own health care, uninsured receive treatment and then students to go where they can get the best bargain." It is not the University's responsibility englect to pay the bills, and secondly, if He questioned the notion of whether or not it is to make that decision for them. We will Rev. Robert Judge, SJ . (Continued on page bl Page 2 The HOYA Friday, April 4, 1975 NEWS REVIEW Law School Dean Search After consultation with the not be re-opened. Henle will make that the "search process" be Board Committee on Law Center the selection between the two re-opened. Affairs and with the Board of candidates recommended by the "The decision should be an­ Directors, Fr. R. J. Henle, SJ has Search Committee. nounced in a few weeks," Henle announced that the search for the The final recommendations concluded. Law School Dean position will from the Decanal Search Com­ The final candidates for the mittee of the Law School were position are David McCarthy and Mythology received by Henle on February Clinton Bamberger. Both men 14, 1975. Since that time the were highly recommended by the Georgetown University Poll questioned DC residents on whether they Speaker President has received a wide Search Committee. variety of advice and recommen­ would be willing to continue mass transit at a higher price. Dr. Joseph Campbell, the (Photo by P. T. t.uccnesr) dations concerning the appoint­ world's foremost authority on ment. One recommendation was Ferdowsi Pact mythology, will speak Friday GU Poll On Mass Transit night in Gaston Hall. The agreement to establish a A professor Emeritus of Sarah $11 million joint educational pro­ According to the latest George. said the system should be finished Lawrence College, Dr. Campbell gram between GU and Ferdowsi town University poll, a majority "if costs go slightly higher"; 25 has specialized in the works of University in Iran has been rati­ of DC residents are willing to per cent said only sections already T.S.