Panel Examines Problems of Race Relations on Campus

Race relations at Harvard have improved since the early 1970s, but significant problems still exist at the College, speakers at a panel discussion on the campus's racial climate said Saturday.

About 60 people turned out for the three hour conference, sponsored by the Harvard Foundation, which featured 13 presentation by administrators and students, including members of Black. Asian-American, Chicano, and Native American groups.

Many of the panelists called for the establishment of a Third World center, hiring minority proctors, faculty and staff, and offering more courses on the history and culture of minority groups.

The student panelists, as well as one admission official, cited the College's refusal to publicize minority events held during freshman week as evidence of the University's overall lack of support for Third World groups.

Closed Ears

Perry Pong `83, former president of the Asian American Association, said the University ignores student input and instead refers all problems to the Foundation, an administrative body created last spring to improve campus race relations.

"The Foundation does not absolve the University of its responsibility to deal with other minority concerns," Pong added.

This insufficient concern with Third World issues places too much of a burden on minority students themselves to educate the faculty and administration, while also providing support services for other students, speakers said.

George Sanchez, an admissions officer, said, "Students are doing it for themselves, but sometimes at great costs to our grades, our patience and our psychology."

And David L. Evans, a senior admissions official, called on the University to increase its minority hiring and courses on Third World issues before it turns out more "bright minority students who are contemptuous of this University."

S. Allen Counter, director of the Foundation, praised students' and administrators' interest but criticized the lack of faculty, response. Several faculty members turned down invitations to speak on the panel, he said after the conference.