Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1962 [PAGE 1335]

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1332

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[February 21

the natural manner of a group with common interests stating its membership qualifications in terms of the cultural and educational purposes and interests of the organization, be they Lutheran, Catholic, African, Jewish, Indian, etc. While I believe fully in the general intent of the Senate Committee to work against discriminator}' practice wherever it is found, and have approved administratively the implementation of the educational steps suggested to gain voluntary compliance with University objectives by all student organizations, the present proposal is inadequate and unsound. I believe, however, the University has the duty to make a comprehensive effort to clarify the purposes of existing student organizations as distinguished from membership requirements. The provisions of the Student Code insure that we shall not compound the problem by establishing new organizations without study of their charters on this point at the time of establishment. To some extent, then, a study of purposes has been going on by this means. We have found that organizations frequently are able and willing to hold to their basic purposes, yet welcome association with students who are interested in those purposes but who are not members of the specific religion or national group involved. What is needed now is a period of study of voluntary association to develop a University-wide pattern and a guidance program, fair to all and consistent with the spirit of the University's philosophy of nondiscrimination. Therefore, because I am unwilling to deal with the question of racial discrimination alone; and because I do not have before me a plan capable of applying a consistent and equitable enforcement of regulations pertaining to race, creed, or national origin in all student organizations — I am asking the Senate Committee on Student Affairs to give further consideration to this subject.

DAVID D. HENRY

President Appendix A. Recommendations of the Committee on Student Affairs' Sub-Committee on Housing Discrimination As a result of its study on racial discrimination, the Committee on Student Affairs recommends that:

SECTION I. O F F - C A M P U S HOUSING

1. A letter be sent to operators and/or owners of non-University owned residence halls and rooming houses to encourage their voluntary operation on a policy of nondiscrimination toward race. This letter would: a. List by name the houses which have signed the nondiscriminatory pledge; b. Include a statement that racial integration has met with student approval and has not affected the successful operation of these houses; c. Commend those house operators following a nondiscriminatory policy; d. Encourage house operators who have held back in fear of financial loss to integrate their houses. 2. Students be encouraged to take the responsibility of educating the house directors, owners, and students so that voluntary action will follow. 3. University approval be denied to all non-University-operated rooming houses which have not endorsed a nondiscriminatory policy by September of 1963.

SECTION II. T H E GREEK SYSTEM

4. The Greek system be encouraged to: a. Discuss fraternity and sorority responsibilities regarding the discrimination problem; b. Work to create an atmosphere conducive to inter-group relations; c. Observe criteria for selection of members solely on the basis of individual worth and without regard to racial distinction. 5. The University: a. Issue a definite statement declaring its opposition to all national and local policies of discrimination based on race; b. Notify all local, national, and alumni groups of this statement. 6. The Committee recommends that all the above measures he adopted regarding race by September 1, 1965; and that the University withdraw recognition from any chapter that has not endorsed a policy of nondiscrimination. This would be interpreted as a statement duly signed in good faith by local chapter members affirming membership selection based on criteria other than racial distinction.