Shaky Progress

The Reverend Peter J. Gomes, chairman of the Faculty committee on a Third World center, did not expect his preliminary conclusions to be called a "progress report." And students working to set up a center did not think his report represented "progress."

The document, a two-part memo Gomes distributed to members of the committee this week in preparation for the first fall meeting, suggested three tentative prototypes for a Third World center:

* "The Institute of Politics model," which the report says "could operate out of an office or even someone's room" given clerical support;

* The "cultural center model," characterized as a combination of Phillips Brooks House and a College House;

* And "the Education for Action model," patterned after the Radcliffe clearinghouse program which promotes campus and community projects.

One member of the Third World center organization, the undergraduate group lobbying for its establishment, termed the first model "a blatant insult" this week.

Gomes said yesterday he was "not surprised" at student reaction to his report, adding that his three models "were just meant to test the winds of the committee."

"By no means is there a consensus on the committee now--we're just collecting data and impressions," Gomes said.

In addition, Gomes' report suggests that if the University forwards funds to a center, it would expect "more, rather than less, administrative involvement."

Lydia P. Jackson '82, president of the Black Students Association and a member of the committee this summer, said concerned students will try to push their original proposal for a fully-funded, University-housed center, which prompted President Bok to form the committee last spring.

While the title page of Gomes' memo called the paper a "progress report," Gomes told the committee this week it signified only his personal opinion. The words "progress report" appeared because of a secretarial error, he said.

Gomes then solicited "preliminary conclusions and proposals" from other members of the committee, including Archie C. Epps III, dean of students--who sources contend is the only Faculty member of the group opposed to the creation of a center. Epps declined to comment on the committee's "business."