Profs discuss Chicano law plan
By MIKE REVZIN Staff Writer
The 10-point plan presented by the Chicano Law Students has not been formally discussed by the law faculty, but individual professors have commented on its strong and weak points.
Terry Hatter Jr., associate clinical professor of law and chairman ofthe Minority Admissions Committee, does not think the Chicano Law Students should be granted autonomous power over the admission of other Chicano students to the Law School.
“I think that they should share in the selection process, but I don't think the faculty should have autonomous control over
Steven Knowles, chief justice of the Student Court, has withdrawn nonfeasance complaints against Joel Rosenzweig and Ronald Palmieri. The action was prompted by conversations Knowles had with the accused individuals. He now believes both men will resume carrying out the duties of their offices.
the selection process either,” he said.
Hatter pointed out that the policy adopted at last week’s faculty meeting gives the students a bigger voice in the selection process.
Under the new policy, the Minority Admissions Committee has sole power over admission of all minority students.
The committee now has three students and three faculty members, all of whom have a vote. Also, an interview committee made up of one faculty member and two or three students can add as many as 20 points to an applicant’s Prediction Index—a combination of his undergraduate grade point average
The issues will be discussed at the Student Court meeting tonight at 8 in Student Union 307.
This action follows the complaints Knowles filed Feb. 23 against Rosenzweig, ASSC vice-president of programs and Palmieri, senior class president.
Rosenzweig has announced his intention to return to campus
and his Law School Admission Test scores.
Robert Ellickson, assostant professor of law, is also against autonomous selection of Chicano students by the Chicano Law Students.
One reason he opposes this point is the confidential nature of the applications. He said the Law Center should be very careful in releasing information such as the applicant’s financial situation.
He also feels there would be a danger of students giving special favors to friends who are applying or to applicants with a certain ideology.
Law schools should steer clear of ideology when considering
and register in classes. His time in prior months was mainly directed toward his production of “Tommy,” now showing at the
Aquarius Theater. Knowles, according to a memorandum from him, recognized Rosenzweig’s past inactivity but sees no purpose in seeking punative action against Rosenzweig. “My goal was to see the job gets done. He’s back; so be it,” said Knowles.
Palmieri travels extensively for debate purposes and due to this activity cannot attend Executive Council meetings, according to Knowles’ memorandum. Palmieri pointed out to Knowles that he was only a non-voting member anyway, but assured him that the majority of his responsibilities are concerned with planning graduation. Plans are in progress though and the job will be done, said Palmieri.
In the memorandum, Knowles said by instigating the suits it was only his intention to reactivate and reinnervate the ASSC. it also said he is hopeful that the suits will be satisfied in this way. He apologized to Rosenzweig and Palmieri for any inconvenience or concern caused and recognized their forthcoming efforts.
admissions, he said. For example, Ellickson does not agree that Chicano students who are likely to serve in the Chicano communities should be given preference over other Chicano applicants.
Ellickson and Hatter said it is hard to predict whether, after three years of law school, a graduate will serve in a Chicano community.
“I don’t believe the only way a Chicano lawyer, an Asian lawyer or a black lawyer can benefit his ethnic group is to return to a geographic area inhabited by his people,” said Ellickson.
Hatter said it is more important to graduate as many blacks, browns, and Asians as possible. He said a lawyer can also serve his community by being outside it, but in a position where he can make influential decisions.
“I do not share the notion that the only people doing good are the ones back in the storefront law offices. But I would be disappointed if none of our students did that,” said Ellickson.
“But that should be up to them, and should not be something we demand of them through our admissions policy.”
The Chicano Law Students
Kenneth Thompson, assistant professor of political science, announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for the 33rd Congressional District last Thursday night in a speech to the San Bernardino County Democratic Committee.
Thompson said in an interview that he was dissatisfied in just talking about political problems in his classes. He said he was concerned about the direction in which the country is headed and wanted to take an active part in policy-making.
“There seems to be a growing polarization in this country between those who have power and those who don’t; namely, minorities and women,” Thompson said.
“I’m afraid that the present administration is dividing the country apart. Unless there is more justice in politics and the economy, the United States is headed in the wrong direction.”
The basis of Thompson’s platform will be the populace. He
asked that first-year Chicano law students be allowed to have a minimum average of 68 rather than 70. Hatter said he finds this inconsistent with another point
in which they ask not to be treated differently from other students.
Both professors said evidence shows a student who cannot maintain a 70 average will have difficulty completing law school.
Hatter said there is nothing wrong with the students speaking out, but he hopes they help change from within the system.
“As far as I can tell, the Chicanos are relatively isolated in their opposition,” said Ellickson. He pointed out that blacks and Asians, equally affected by the new policy, have not taken any action to oppose it.
He indicated that the faculty, with its diverse points of view, passed the resolution unanimously, and that there were five student representatives at the meeting, three of whom could vote.
Ellickson added that there is much less student controversy at the Law Center than the Daily Trojan has implied in its coverage. He also said the coverage concentrated too much on the Chicano Law Students point of view.
said his candidacy is not limited
to certain segments of society, and he wants to get all people committed to check the rise of
militarism and to end the Vietnam war.
Thompson said that his platform will emphasize moving the economy to curb unemployment, prevention of environmental deterioration and consumer advocacy.
Banjoist to play at Grill
The Bitter Ashtray, the coffeehouse in the Grill, will feature Larry McNeely, banjo picker and guitarist, tonight through Saturday.
McNeely, who works on the Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, begins his show at 8 tonight through Thursday, and at 8:30 Friday and Saturday. The cover charge is 75 cents.
Food Service corrects management problems
Food Service is in the middle of a program to improve the food and service in the cafeterias that have been under attack by students.
The changes that have already been made include a wider variety of food in the cafeterias, specifically the addition of health foods and a wider range of sandwiches at lunch. Repainting portions of the dining rooms and increasing the staff with a dozen new employees are other improvements. Some new features are instituting a managerial training program which works with promising employees and beginning a canteen from 8 p.m. to midnight between EVK and College dorms. The canteen starts tonight.
It was the lack of management and supervision that was the main contributor to the situation that had developed, said Steve H. Watts, assistant director of Food Service. Without enough supervision things didn’t get done the right way and the people in charge, like Watts, did not realize how bad the food and service had gotten due to the lack of communication which existed between the students and the management.
“These are the key things management and communication,” said Watts. When the complaints of the students finally reached a high enough level so that those in charge realized how bad things were, the changes began.
Other changes planned for the future, if possible, include refurnishing the patios in the dorms and installing outdoor barbecues in them. Watts added.
University of Southern California
DAILY m TROJAN
VOL. LXIV NO. 78 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 29,1972
Knowles drops charges
Political science prof to run for Congress
Dance group to perform noon concert in Bovard
The USC Performing Dance Group will put on a concert of varied music today at noon in Bovard Auditorium.
Under the direction of Shizuko Iwamatsu, dance teacher, four dances will be performed. The schedule will include “Pati-Pan.” a Japanese stick dance; “Blues," a rhythm and blues number; “Kinetic Echo,” three movements of a work by Vivaldi, and electronic music, performed by a trio of women.
The concert is being put on in conjunction with the Festival of the Arts.
The group is composed of about 25 men and women. Those students performing in today’s performance will include Dianne Hot-tendorf. Liane Uyenoyama, Jenet Copes, Jan Riggs, Sue Maas, Donna Noguchi, Kip Durney, Jo Marker, Lynette Castille, Terri Reed, Sandy Johnson, Anita Moody, Carol Barrett and Kathy Kearns.
The group was formed last October under Iwamatsu, who does the choreography. Participation is extra-curricular.
Today’s performance will be the second for the group. They performed at the Christmas Convocation Concert last year with the University Concert Choir. “I thought the audience really liked it,” said one member.
The group is planning to put on public performances as soon as it builds its repertoire and technique. Most of the dances are modern but some are jazz.