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thursday, january 27, 1972
lincoln, nebraska vol. 95, no. 58
Poorhouse Coalition. . . Bea Richmond, Lew Cooper and Gary Baker issue a
"Declaration of Responsiblity."
Claiming that UNL officials have been negligent in their
duty to the low-income peoples of Lincoln, the Poorhouse
Coalition, an association of low-income tenants groups,
presented a "Declaration of Responsibility" to the office of
Lincoln campus Interim Chancellor C. Peter Magrath
Wednesday morning following a rally in the Nebraska Union
Ballroom.
The Coalition requested the University to recognize "the fact
that many decisions of the University directly affect the
I I adjacent low-income community and the lives of its residents,"
I ifl f 9T and that future decisions which affect that community not be
Jl I I I I KJ I I made without input from its residents.
These decisions would include expansion of Universtiy
d physical facilities into community residential areas and any
I I S projected increase in enrollment, the document noted adding
V- 1 1 such an increase would affect the rental housing market for
. low and moderate income citizens'
L . . The Coalition also asked that the University to provide new
5 I II vJ housQ t0 eliminate competition between students and
low-income resiuenis, anu auiivaie uie neycius ouiiiimiiicc
Qtnt f" n T rePresentative elected by the Poorhouse." The document also
. O I -l I III I I I asked that the University "advocate phasing out students from
th I incoln Housing Authority's leaserent program", and
"review the dormitory regulations in light of the knowledge
that such reoulations mav be discouraging students from
seeking such housing as an alternative to the private rental
market."
The declaration called for the signatures of NU President
D. B. Varner, Magrath, James A. Lake, President of the
University Senate, Steve Fowler, President of ASUN and Harry
Allen, Director of Institutional Research and Planning. Fowler
was the only individual of the five named who was available
for comment Wednesday. He said he would sign the document.
The 11 a.m. rally, which drew about 70 people, was
addressed by low-income community leaders including Lew
Cooper, recently suspended coordinator of the Lincoln Action
Program Human Rights Committee, City-Wide Tenants
Association President Bea Richmond, Gary Baker of the
Lincoln Housing Authority, and Maria Payne, LAP Emergency
Food and Medical Service Out Reach Worker.
Cooper told the group that he was "appearing as a black
man who will be heard." He was arrested Jan. 21 on two
separate drug charges and was subsequently relieved of his
duties at LAP.
He said that the University only recognizes blacks on the
football field, "We're no. 1 in football, but what about human
rights? Could Johnny Rodgers go to the Elks Club for dinner?
No!"
"Ghettos," he said, "exist not in spite of what America, but
because of it. White society is implicated in the ghetto. White
institutions created. . . maintain. . . and condone the ghetto."
Cooper finished with a demand for action, "If we can't get
along, lets get it on!"
Bea Richmond. President of City-Wide Tenants, said that
the group would come back every day if they must.
"They (the University) have shoved two-thirds of the
low-income people out of Malone and Clinton," she said, "and
we won't move to Waverlyi We're standing up and fighting,
there is no place else to go."
Richmond claimed that the University is stalling by using
surveys.
"We've had surveys shoved down our throats. The
information is here!"
Dr. Spock appears Friday
Dr. Benjamin Spock, well-known pediatrician and anti-war
critic, will speak at the Nebraska Union Ballroom at 3 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 28.
Spock is the presidential nominee of the Peace and
Freedom Party of Nebraska, an affiliate of the newly-formed
People's Party.
His appearance will be sponsored by the Coalition for Peace
and Justice. A question and answer period will follow the
speech.
ASUN
supports
'Justice7
speakers
ASUN Wednesday reaffirmed its support of the World in
Revolution Conference, "Justice in America" in a resolution
calling on senators to use all lawful means to bring about its
continuation.
The body passed the resolution by an overwhelming
majority, with only one senator opposed. Sen. Ray Baldwin,
speaking in support of the resolution, said "it has been a
disappointing year in student government, but if we back
down on the World in Revolution Conference it will be
disastrous."
Sen. Ray Metoyer added that if ASUN voted against the
conference, as some who were fearful of LB 1271 suggested,
the Senate would give up its right to a viewpoint on campus.
Seven of the eight new ASUN senators this semester took
their oath of office at Wednesday's session. The new senators
are William Killion, Donald Dickson, Brad Johnson, Diana
Martinez, Deb Logan, Steve Christensen, Bruce Beecher and
Carolyn Grice.
A resolution was passed creating a special ad hoc committee
to "provide direction for liaison efforts with the State
Legislature.The committee is to meet with a representative on
the ASUN Legislative Liaison Committee whenever requested.
A resolution was introduced concerning "the conduct of
senators" that grew out of the Dec. 14 ASUN meeting which
was prematurely adjourned.
At that meeting, according to the resolution, "derogatory
and demeaning statements were made by several senators
during the discussion concerning candidates for senate
vacancies." Discussion and voting on that resolution was held
over until next week's meeting.
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"A disappointing year for student government". . . ASUN Sen. Mike Berns, recording secretaries Mary Harding
... .. . : r Chum Cnmlar anH RnH Hprnamip? listen tO debate On
and nftariiyn Anaerson ana executives ivmuicuc wy., .w ..w- ..
the World in Revolution Conference ax ine mo urn meeting ywwiuay.
