Purdue University - Debris Yearbook (West Lafayette, IN)

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Divest Now Students marched through campus shouting protest, ending at Hovde Hall. An administrator received petitions containing 5000 signatures urging Purdue to.......... By Melissa Cline Rain drizzled on through the night while students sat patiently waiting in a shanty they built on il Mall. Their wait ended at six the following morning when police, dressed in riot uniforms, arrived to arrest 22 students. These students were just a few who chose to demonstrate against the issue of Apartheid, the South African governmental policy of segregation and political and economic discrimination against blacks, and the University's investments in companies that support that country's economy. SCAAR — Students and Community Against Apartheid and Racism formed as an umbrella group for a number of organizations. According to Chuck Fruehling, an anthropology major, the group had devised a four point plan. The first goal was Purdue's divestment;, the second was to achieve a change in the affirmative action policy of the University; the third was to devise a plan that gives students more say in school policy; and the fourth goal was to require students to take a course on social awareness. Thejj rou£jittem£ these goals by staging rallies, protests and sit-ins. Fourteen students chose to gain awareness by declaring a fast. The group's protests were met by mixed reactions from fellow students, faculty members, and administrators. Many alumni, students, and parents just stopped to talk to us during the weekend of Grand Prix. They were surprised to see so many of us. They were told it was just a concern of a handful of students,” said Freuhling. The increased awareness of fellow students about the issues was one of the group's greatest achievements. The response received from the administrators was not a favorable one. President Beering took out a full page advertisement in the Wednesday, April 23rd, edition of The Exponent titled Purdue Policies and South Africa. The stated purpose of the ad was to inform the readers about the University's position. Joseph Bennett, director of University relations, said he recognized the students for their efforts but felt there were more constructive means available which could have been used to achieve their goals. We did it the 'right way' for two years and received no recognition, stated Freuhling. Debbie Bishop, from the department of Sociology, agreed that they had asked for an open forum several times, but their quests were either ignored or denied. My father once told me that sometimes it is necessary to hit someone over the head with a 2 x 4 before you gain their attention. We were told the Board of Trustees was not responsible for student concerns. The time was right to make our stand, said Bishop. Although the students left the steps of Hovde Hall in order to prepare themselves for finals, the issues were not forgotten. We chose not to be apathetic about a very important issue. This is an issue that involves everyone. It's just very visible in South Africa at the moment. We made individual choices to do what we could and we felt proud about that decision, said Freuhling. Although the practice of Apartheid did not cease because university students chose to protest, a definite movement was witnessed across this country. The nationwide movement was not only backed by students, but also by major political leaders. Many leaders showed support for student movements through phone calls and campus visits. The support provided by such people reassured students that they were not alone and helped to re-inforce their commitment. ♦ 12♦SCAAR

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— Student Life ♦ 11

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Senior Vice President John Hicks accepts petitions containing over 5,000 signatures on the steps of Hovde Hail. (David Whittemore photo) Students protest Purdue's investments in companies that support the South African government by carrying signs and shouting protests while participating in a march from Memorial Mali to the steps of Hovde Hall. (David Whittemore photo) TerTy Colony is being arrested along with 21 other students for disregarding the Administration's orders to remove the shanty from Memorial Mall. (David Whittemore photo) News media report the protest of students participating in a sit-in; twelve of these students are on a hunger strike. The protest was a surprise coming from such a normally conservative university. (David Whittemore photo) SCAAR ♦ 13