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Issue #16 The Chronicle page 5 SPECTRUM PROTESTS AGAINST ADMINISTRATION By H ow a rd E . G h e e , J r . Last wedc marked the occurrence of something rare on the Saint Rose campus: protests. The protesters were members and supporters of SPECTRUM, the College's Black and Latino Student Union. At issue is that group's feelings of isolation, detachment and even disrespect. "They actively recruit Black and Latino people to the College. When we get here, we feel there is nothing for us," said Shondel Bryant, current president of SPECTRUM. "I don't have that problem because I'm an athlete and I can identify with that," he continued. "One of my goals that is written and approved every year is to increase the number of students of color on this campus," said admissions director Mary O'Donnel. "Just a few years ago, we had about 2% (of the total population being students of color), now it's actually 7.7%," she added. Other groups targeted for recruitment include males, international students and students in other liberal arts programs besides education. As a result of alienation and isolation at the College, some students end up transferring to another institution. "We've come up with proposals in an effort to keep students here once tliey get here," said Bryant. "If the students feel disenfranchised, then the institution has to lake note of that," added O'Donnel. SPECTRUM'S proposals, sent to Dr. Vaccaro initially in the form of a memo, include five major proposals. The first is the proposal of a Multicultural Affairs Program. This program, according to the memo, would be established to "work with Uie entire campus to provide for a multicultural environment," SPECTRUM feels that this "best can be achieved by enhancing the present part time position of Coordinator of Minority Services." Tlie second proposal is the hiring of an affirmative action officer "to ensure tliat justice and equality is served on campus." This officer would serve to respond to students' grievances co n c ern in g h a ra s sm en t and discrimination. Additionally, according to the proposal, "the affirmative action officer would be at the forefrmt of these recruitment and hiring efforts." Proposal number three entails the establishment of a multicultural theme house. This would "allow us to live and study with those of a similar background, and other interested students which provides a concrete and sovereign network." The proposal further states that "this network would allow us to alleviate our feelings of isolation and loneliness." The establishment of an African American and Latino studies program is the fourth proposal. "This academic program would also help the campus achieve a more accurate image of African American and Latino students, better understand their ethnic heritage and would facilitate interactions between ourselves and members of the 'majority culture.'" The final proposal brought to the president is to hire a recruiter of color for students of color. In SPECTRUM'S memo, this practice, if instituted, would "show that the recruitment of students of color is a major priority of the campus." These proposals were delivered to Dr. Vaccaro, and members of SPECTRUM participated in a meeting D em o n s tra to r s h o ld h a n d s a n d p ra y . with the President's Executive Committee on March 15. As a result of that meeting, a special task force was proposed. It will be made up of three administrators (Jack Calareso, Father Chris DeGiovine and Mary O'Donnel), four faculty members (Ben Clancy, Ismael Ramos, Sandy Robinson- Cadman and Simona Sung), one staff member (Joanne Wilson) and four students (Carlos Mills, Danielle Bartlett, Solome Mukasa and Boupha Sinphay). The task force will be responsible for addressing the following charges: articulate a definition for the term "multiculturalism" and what it m e^s at Saint Rose; collect information and analyze the current situation at the College relative to multicultural concerns; and develop an action plan that is consistent with the mission statement of the College and realistic in terms of resources. The task force is due to hold its first meeting later this week.A fter it gets initiated, the task force will meet on a regular basis. Dr. Jack Calareso, who will convene and chair the force, hopes to accomplish much over the summer. "If a cross constituency is unable to meet, however, then the task force will not meet. We want equal representation," he said. "We would engage in open meetings that could allow open dialog and try to reach a consensus, at least some sense of support. Decisions won't be reached by the committee in isolation from the community," Calareso continued. "The conclusions developed ought to be defensible." While dialog did take place, during the March 15 meeting was not as effective as had been hoped. "The main point of disagreement here," said Vaccaro, "is that members of SPECTRUM have already said that internationalism has no place in multiculturalism. We're not saying it’s going to happen (grouping the two together). We want to study it. We're in a tight budget. "SPECTRUM has proposed keeping minority student affairs separate from those of international students. According to the March 30, 1994 memo sent by Bryant to Vaccaro, "multiculturalism is a domestic problem that deals (with) the problems and concerns of American minorities: African Americans, Latino Americans, Native Americans and Asian Americans. This is not an issue that deals with the plight of international students. They should remain in their already established support based program." Bryant added, "the International Studies program gets more (financial) support." He also stated that SPECTRUM realizes the degree of financial constraints faced by the College. Not only are there financial constraints, but also time constraints. To implement a new academic program, for example, requires many phases. The president sends the proposal to a committee, either to graduate or undergraduate for a vote. The undergraduate committee further presents it to the full faculty for a vote. "If the task force presents this proposal to Dr. Vaccaro in December, it can potentially be put in practice by the following fall," added Calareso. "My understanding is the History and Political Science department has already developed and AJfrican-Latino studies concentration, which would be started in the fall," said Vaccaro. SPECTRUM is confused by the third charge of the task force, which is to develop an action plan ex proposals to address concerns of multiculturalism. As a result, SPECTRUM believes that it has not been heard. The group decided a protest was necessary. The protest was started in an attempt to be heard and show the group's commitment to this issue. Starting last Wednesday, two protests Continued on page 6 D R . V A C C A R O ’S R E S PO N S E TO S P E C T R UM 'S R EQ U E S T April 29, 1994-On February 23, Spectrum—Black and Latino Student Union--wrote a memo to me outlining a list of requests that addressed the needs of African American and Latino students at Saint Rose. In response to that memo, I invited Spectrum leaders to join me and members of the President’s Executive Committee at a meeting on March 16. Later, on April 11, we met again to continue our discussion. Out of our dialogs, and partly as a consequence of previous discussions by the President's Executive Conunittee, I decided to form a presidential task force to consider multicultural issues on our campus. Invited to accept ^pointment to the task force are three members of the President's Executive Committee: Jack Calareso, chair, Mary O'Donnel and Fr. Chris DeGiovine; along with four faculty members (Ben Clancy, Ismael Ramos, Sandy Robinson- Cadman and Sunona Sung); one staff member (Joanne Wilson); and four students (Carlos Mills, Solome Mukasa, Danielle BarUett and Boupha Sinphay). To date, all but one person has agreed to serve on this task force. Dr. Jack Calareso has plans to call a meeting of the task force within the next week or two. It is my hope and expectation tiiat this task force will engage the entire College community in dialog concerning multiculturalism. The chief objectives of the task force are to: Articulate a definition for the term "multiculturalism" and what it means at Saint Rose; Collect information and analyze the current situation at the College relative to multicultural concerns; and develop an action plan/proposal to address these concerns that is boUi consistent witii the mission of the College and realistic in terms of resources. I have asked the task force to complete its study and submit recommendations to me by December 1994. I realize that some individuals may feel that the E)ecember deadline is too far off. However, as you already know, this year has been a year of financial "belt-tightening." And I foresee the possibility of "belt-tightening" continuing throughout the next few years. Therefore, I have asked that the Continued on page 6 A lb an y police e s c o r t d em o n s tra to r s a c ro s s M ad iso n Ave.
Object Description
Title | The Chronicle, Vol. 58, Issue 16 |
Date, Original | 1994-05-01 |
Type | Text |
Format, Original | Monograph: 20 pages, b&w, 17 x 11.5 in. |
Format, Digital | application/pdf |
Identifier | The-Chronicle_1994-05-01 |
Source | Student Newspaper Collection |
Language | eng |
Rights | This digital file may be used for educational purposes only. Prior written permission is required for any other use. |
Description
Title | The-Chronicle_1994-05-01_005 |
Transcript | Issue #16 The Chronicle page 5 SPECTRUM PROTESTS AGAINST ADMINISTRATION By H ow a rd E . G h e e , J r . Last wedc marked the occurrence of something rare on the Saint Rose campus: protests. The protesters were members and supporters of SPECTRUM, the College's Black and Latino Student Union. At issue is that group's feelings of isolation, detachment and even disrespect. "They actively recruit Black and Latino people to the College. When we get here, we feel there is nothing for us," said Shondel Bryant, current president of SPECTRUM. "I don't have that problem because I'm an athlete and I can identify with that," he continued. "One of my goals that is written and approved every year is to increase the number of students of color on this campus," said admissions director Mary O'Donnel. "Just a few years ago, we had about 2% (of the total population being students of color), now it's actually 7.7%," she added. Other groups targeted for recruitment include males, international students and students in other liberal arts programs besides education. As a result of alienation and isolation at the College, some students end up transferring to another institution. "We've come up with proposals in an effort to keep students here once tliey get here," said Bryant. "If the students feel disenfranchised, then the institution has to lake note of that," added O'Donnel. SPECTRUM'S proposals, sent to Dr. Vaccaro initially in the form of a memo, include five major proposals. The first is the proposal of a Multicultural Affairs Program. This program, according to the memo, would be established to "work with Uie entire campus to provide for a multicultural environment," SPECTRUM feels that this "best can be achieved by enhancing the present part time position of Coordinator of Minority Services." Tlie second proposal is the hiring of an affirmative action officer "to ensure tliat justice and equality is served on campus." This officer would serve to respond to students' grievances co n c ern in g h a ra s sm en t and discrimination. Additionally, according to the proposal, "the affirmative action officer would be at the forefrmt of these recruitment and hiring efforts." Proposal number three entails the establishment of a multicultural theme house. This would "allow us to live and study with those of a similar background, and other interested students which provides a concrete and sovereign network." The proposal further states that "this network would allow us to alleviate our feelings of isolation and loneliness." The establishment of an African American and Latino studies program is the fourth proposal. "This academic program would also help the campus achieve a more accurate image of African American and Latino students, better understand their ethnic heritage and would facilitate interactions between ourselves and members of the 'majority culture.'" The final proposal brought to the president is to hire a recruiter of color for students of color. In SPECTRUM'S memo, this practice, if instituted, would "show that the recruitment of students of color is a major priority of the campus." These proposals were delivered to Dr. Vaccaro, and members of SPECTRUM participated in a meeting D em o n s tra to r s h o ld h a n d s a n d p ra y . with the President's Executive Committee on March 15. As a result of that meeting, a special task force was proposed. It will be made up of three administrators (Jack Calareso, Father Chris DeGiovine and Mary O'Donnel), four faculty members (Ben Clancy, Ismael Ramos, Sandy Robinson- Cadman and Simona Sung), one staff member (Joanne Wilson) and four students (Carlos Mills, Danielle Bartlett, Solome Mukasa and Boupha Sinphay). The task force will be responsible for addressing the following charges: articulate a definition for the term "multiculturalism" and what it m e^s at Saint Rose; collect information and analyze the current situation at the College relative to multicultural concerns; and develop an action plan that is consistent with the mission statement of the College and realistic in terms of resources. The task force is due to hold its first meeting later this week.A fter it gets initiated, the task force will meet on a regular basis. Dr. Jack Calareso, who will convene and chair the force, hopes to accomplish much over the summer. "If a cross constituency is unable to meet, however, then the task force will not meet. We want equal representation," he said. "We would engage in open meetings that could allow open dialog and try to reach a consensus, at least some sense of support. Decisions won't be reached by the committee in isolation from the community," Calareso continued. "The conclusions developed ought to be defensible." While dialog did take place, during the March 15 meeting was not as effective as had been hoped. "The main point of disagreement here," said Vaccaro, "is that members of SPECTRUM have already said that internationalism has no place in multiculturalism. We're not saying it’s going to happen (grouping the two together). We want to study it. We're in a tight budget. "SPECTRUM has proposed keeping minority student affairs separate from those of international students. According to the March 30, 1994 memo sent by Bryant to Vaccaro, "multiculturalism is a domestic problem that deals (with) the problems and concerns of American minorities: African Americans, Latino Americans, Native Americans and Asian Americans. This is not an issue that deals with the plight of international students. They should remain in their already established support based program." Bryant added, "the International Studies program gets more (financial) support." He also stated that SPECTRUM realizes the degree of financial constraints faced by the College. Not only are there financial constraints, but also time constraints. To implement a new academic program, for example, requires many phases. The president sends the proposal to a committee, either to graduate or undergraduate for a vote. The undergraduate committee further presents it to the full faculty for a vote. "If the task force presents this proposal to Dr. Vaccaro in December, it can potentially be put in practice by the following fall," added Calareso. "My understanding is the History and Political Science department has already developed and AJfrican-Latino studies concentration, which would be started in the fall," said Vaccaro. SPECTRUM is confused by the third charge of the task force, which is to develop an action plan ex proposals to address concerns of multiculturalism. As a result, SPECTRUM believes that it has not been heard. The group decided a protest was necessary. The protest was started in an attempt to be heard and show the group's commitment to this issue. Starting last Wednesday, two protests Continued on page 6 D R . V A C C A R O ’S R E S PO N S E TO S P E C T R UM 'S R EQ U E S T April 29, 1994-On February 23, Spectrum—Black and Latino Student Union--wrote a memo to me outlining a list of requests that addressed the needs of African American and Latino students at Saint Rose. In response to that memo, I invited Spectrum leaders to join me and members of the President’s Executive Committee at a meeting on March 16. Later, on April 11, we met again to continue our discussion. Out of our dialogs, and partly as a consequence of previous discussions by the President's Executive Conunittee, I decided to form a presidential task force to consider multicultural issues on our campus. Invited to accept ^pointment to the task force are three members of the President's Executive Committee: Jack Calareso, chair, Mary O'Donnel and Fr. Chris DeGiovine; along with four faculty members (Ben Clancy, Ismael Ramos, Sandy Robinson- Cadman and Sunona Sung); one staff member (Joanne Wilson); and four students (Carlos Mills, Solome Mukasa, Danielle BarUett and Boupha Sinphay). To date, all but one person has agreed to serve on this task force. Dr. Jack Calareso has plans to call a meeting of the task force within the next week or two. It is my hope and expectation tiiat this task force will engage the entire College community in dialog concerning multiculturalism. The chief objectives of the task force are to: Articulate a definition for the term "multiculturalism" and what it means at Saint Rose; Collect information and analyze the current situation at the College relative to multicultural concerns; and develop an action plan/proposal to address these concerns that is boUi consistent witii the mission of the College and realistic in terms of resources. I have asked the task force to complete its study and submit recommendations to me by December 1994. I realize that some individuals may feel that the E)ecember deadline is too far off. However, as you already know, this year has been a year of financial "belt-tightening." And I foresee the possibility of "belt-tightening" continuing throughout the next few years. Therefore, I have asked that the Continued on page 6 A lb an y police e s c o r t d em o n s tra to r s a c ro s s M ad iso n Ave. |