Organization Plans Campaign to Raise Funds for Bosnia

Students who say they are concerned by their classmates' perceived apathy towards the killings in wardevastated Bosnia will meet tonight to inform campus leaders of their efforts.

The students have formed a temporary organization, which is currently unnamed, after a rally and a speech by writer and activist Leonard Fein which occured two weeks ago in Emerson Hall.

"The first problem we've been facing is indifference," said Martin Lebwohl '96, one of the group's organizers.

"We're so obsessed with [local violence], with the Bobbits and the Tonya Harding-Nancy Kerrigan case, that we've sealed ourselves off from [international atrocities], from the genocide occurring in Bosnia," he said.

Organizers said they will launch a campus-wide fundraising effort this week.

Proceeds will be channeled towards the purchase of a truck, which will carry humanitarian aid into Sarajevo and transport refugees out of the war zone.

About 60 students will visit every house and first-year dormitory tomorrow and Wednesday, delivering flyers and soliciting donations.

Lebwohl said he hoped each student would contribute a minimum of $10. $50,000 is needed to fund the truck.

"There's nothing better you can do with your money than save a human life," Lebwohl said.

Lebwohl said the leaders of several campus groups--including the Radcliffe Union of Students (RUS), CityStep, the Association of Arab Students, the Harvard-Radcliffe Hillel and the East European Student Association--have been invited to the meeting.

Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III is also scheduled to attend, Lebwohl said.

"The purpose of the meeting is to inform student leaders about our course of action," Lebwohl said. "We hope to involve the [entire] Harvard community in our effort."

Elie G. Kaunfer '95, Chair of the Harvard-Radcliffe Hillel, said he would be attending the meeting.

"We're very interested in raising money to help the victims of war in Bosnia," Kaunfer said.

Organizers said they are working in association with the Joint Distribution Committee, a private international relief organization which aids Eastern European causes and provides help to refugees in war-ravaged areas.