Afro Department Decision Draws Diverse Reactions

Ewart Guinier '33, chairman of the Afro-American Studies Department, said last night that "President Bok should take a lead in redefining Harvard's attitude towards Blacks."

Guinier said the formation of a committee to run the Afro-American Studies department called for by the Faculty Council Tuesday, a "step backwards" from curriculum changes advocated by Bok. He made the remarks at the Currier House ad hoc table.

"The Faculty Council expects me to run the department as I would run a race: they bind my feet, tie my hands, gag and blindfold me--and then want me to do a good job." Guinier said.

Pessimistic

Guinier expressed pessimism about the chances of the department's having a say in choosing its tenured professors. Under the resolution passed Tuesday, the professors will be chosen by an inter-departmental committee appointed by the Dean of Faculty.

Guinier also opposed the establishment of the Dullors Afro-American Research Institute on a University-and Faculty-wide basis. He said that he feared the directorship of the Institute would fall on someone outside of the department.

Defamed

DuBois' name should not be defamed by someone who doesn't believe in the 'pride of race' which he lived for," Guinier said

He cited university hostility and a low $10500 starting salary as reasons for the department's difficulty in drawing top scholars, and said that Bok should work to change the hostile environment here.