"BAS Demands: Posvar Pledges Action," The Pitt News, 1969

"BAS Demands: Posvar Pledges Action," The Pitt News, 1969

Several articles on this page pertain to the fallout of the Black Action Society's sit-in at the university's computer center, including Chancellor Posvar's response to the BAS's demands.

University of Pittsburgh

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Posvar Pledges Action The following is the official list of agreements reached by the Black Action Society and the University administration last Wednesday night: 1. There will be no punitive measures taken by the University against persons in the computer room provided that it is vacated promptly, peacefully and without damage. 2. The University will appoint an officer and a recruiting team to recruit black students, and that they will be appointed as soon as members of the Black Action Society can locate such personnel, screen them and recommend their appointment to the University. 3. The University will recruit additional black faculty, administrators and other personnel at all levels: a) The Chancellor will arrange for meetings between members of the Black Action Society and department heads of the University concerning such recruitment. b) Members of the Black Action Society will study the University’s structure to determine where black administrators, faculty and other personnel are needed and will recommend to the University where such personnel should be placed. 4. Space will be provided in Hillman Library where there will be books, periodicals, and other materials to the extent that a person who wanted to write a doctoral thesis on a topic related to Afro-Americans will find materials available in sufficient quantity. 5. The Chancellor will urge faculty to establish an institute for black studies for research and teaching, with a director and an assistant director to be appointed by June, and that these people, when they arrive, will have the necessary funds available for their work. 6. The Chancellor will recommend to the University Senate that black members of the University community - including students, faculty, administrators, and staff - will be excused from their duties on Feb. 21 without penalty; it will also be recommended to the University Senate that Jan. 15, the birthday of the late Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., will be made a University holiday. 7. Without necessary delay, the Chancellor will address himself to the other issues in the original demands made by the Black Action Society on May 20, 1968. Demands two through six are reiterations of the May 20 demands. Those original demands included provisions calling for: a doubling of black enrollment beginning September, 1968, and continuing each year until black students compose at least 20 percent of the total student population at the University; an increase in black faculty members; and the incorporation of black anthropology and history courses.