Last-Minute Compromise : Minorities at CSUN Undecided on Protest

Leaders of three minority student groups at California State University, Northridge, said Thursday that they were still deciding whether to stage a demonstration at commencement today to protest a reduction in money for their organizations, although they said they were “somewhat satisfied” by a last-minute compromise by the university’s president.

CSUN President James W. Cleary held a series of meetings throughout the day Thursday with leaders of the groups, trying to solve their dispute with the student government, Associated Students.

“We still might hold a demonstration,” said Gilbert Acuna, a spokesman for the three groups. He said a decision would be made just before commencement at 10 a.m. today.

About 5,000 graduates and an estimated 15,000 friends and relatives are expected.

President Orders Retreats

Cleary ordered student government leaders to dip into their reserve fund for $6,000 to sponsor a number of retreats this summer “to assist in the reduction of tensions between the AS and these organizations.”

Cleary refused, however, to increase the student money allocated to the Pan-African Council, MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan) and the Committee in Solidarity with the People in El Salvador, made up primarily of Latino students.

The three groups were angered last month when they discovered that the budget for the next school year, passed by Associated Students, reduced their funding up to 50%.

The Pan-African Council’s allocation was cut from $8,805 this year to $6,425. Funding for MEChA, which was given an average of $8,274 a year over the last four years, was reduced to $6,157. The allocation for the Salvador solidarity group was set at $600, down from $1,250 this year.

Racial Motives Charged

The issue prompted an emotional demonstration on campus April 29 with minority leaders, backed by about 250 students, charging racial discrimination.

Student government leaders denied the claim, pointing out that two other minority clubs on campus will receive more money next year than this and that two other minority groups will receive student funds for the first time.

Cleary, in a written statement Thursday, indicated that the reasons for the three groups’ receiving less money were largely procedural and that Associated Students may not have been given budget requests from the groups at the proper time during budget deliberations.

Suggests Retreat Topics

Cleary, who has final authority over the student government’s budget, ordered the student government and leaders of minority groups to hold retreats to study topics including “the importance of the deliberative process,” “interpersonal relationships” and “the promotion of cross-cultural understanding.” No dates or locations were set for the retreats.

Acuna, president of MEChA, said a press conference would be held on campus before the graduation ceremony “to completely explain our position on this matter.”

“We are somewhat satisfied with Cleary’s decision. At least they seem to realize how important this is, with racism and all going around,” Acuna said.

Minority student leaders have said that any protest during commencement would be “very peaceful.”