Students to strike for day of action

To show their support for the University's affirmative action policies in its admissions processes, University students have been asked not to attend their classes today and take part in the National Day of Action, featuring rallies, sit-ins and teach-ins.

"I think tomorrow is about uniting and encouraging students to get together in one place at one time to learn about things that are important to us," said Law first-year student Meera Deo, a member of United for Affirmative Action.

Organizers said they are unsure about how many students will participate in the activities.

"This is a day when we can leave our classes because we feel so strongly about something else - we are interested in these issues. It's a day when we can all come together to learn a lot from each other," Deo said.

The day was organized by United for Affirmative Action, a coalition of various student groups and individual students in response to the lawsuits filed against the University's College of Literature, Science and Arts and the Law School that target the use of race as a factor in the schools' admissions processes.

"We felt it was necessary to do the one day political strike to send a clear message to our allies and opponents," said Law first-year student Jodi Masley, a member of United For Affirmative Action.

Several professors have cancelled classes for the day, while others are allowing students to skip class to attend the events.

Although the administration has not officially taken a position on the Day of Action, individual administrators have expressed support for it.

"In terms of a national day of recognizing affirmative action, I endorse it," said Associate Provost for Academic and Multicultural Affairs Lester Monts. "I hope the entire University embraces the effort from the point of view of the student organizers and the point of view of the national effort."

Deo said she is "impressed by the level of support by the administration."

Scheduled speakers for the day include history and Afroamerican and African studies Prof. Jeanne Theoharris, Law Prof. Deborah Malamud, Law Prof. Roderick Hills, American Civil Liberties Union lawyer Mark Rosenbaum, Law Prof. Mark Fancher and history Prof. Maria Montoya.

Law Prof. Lance Jones, who was involved in the Black Action Movement III as a Law student at the University, will participate in today's panel discussion. Jones said that considering the lawsuit is a crucial part of the affirmative action discussion.

"I decided to speak because I can provide a little bit of historical perspective on other movements that have impacted the University," Jones said.

Students expressed mixed opinions on whether or not they support the day or knew of the planned events.

Engineering sophomore Seann Lewis said he plans to attend some of the day's events.

"I believe in affirmative action," Lewis said. He said that the day will "show that there are people who support affirmative action and raise people's consciousness."

LSA first-year student Kim Thoreson said she had not heard of the activities planned for the day.

"I guess it would be a good idea for someone who is interested, but I wouldn't miss my classes - I'm paying for them."

Student groups supporting the Day of Action include Alianza, the Black Student Union, the Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action By Any Means Necessary, the Native American Student Association, Academics for Affirmative Action and Social Justice and the Progressive Student Alliance.

02-24-98