Robinson clarifies admissions policy for athletes
Special admissions efforts aid minority students
By Mary Meloch
Stall Writer
Head football Coach k-hn Robinson Mondav clarilied statements published in a Wii York Times article Sunday that dealt with the university's special admissions policy for athletes and more specifically, how it would affect minority athletes.
The article raised questions regarding the universit\ -p tal admission's policy, the universil' responsibilities and obligations to students admitted under special action admissions.
In lhe article Robinson was asked what could happen if the admissions office would not approve football plavers with less than the normal minimum academic requirements as had been done in the past. He w'as quoted as answering “ . . . Our team turns white. That's one
thing that would happen . . .
"1 was cut off,” Robinson said Mondav, referring to the quote. "About one eighth of what I said was cut out. What
I	w'as referring to was minority admissions programs, affirmative action and programs that are in effect across the nation today and are being dealt with by the Supreme Court.
"Traditionally, athletes have flourished in minority situations; it w ould be an injustice to not consider special circumstances in admissions. My intention was to show that it is unfair to suddenly say that a person who doesn't meet certain requirements won't be considered,' he said.
Robinson referred to affirmative action programs and the university's special admissions policy', called special action admissions. The philosophy behind
these program is to aid students who are often at a disadvantage academically because of certain circumstances, such as their environment or educational background.
A report recently released by President James H. Zumberge said the universitv had admitted approximately 330 student athletes during the past 10 vears who met National Collegiate Athletic Association requirements but were beiow university- admission standards.
"What has been forgotten is that USC has a policy not much different from 90 percent of the other schools across the nation," Robinson said.
He did say that the universitv had a responsibility to the students admitted through the special policy.
"W'hen the university admits someone, there is an obligation and re-
sponsibility to give them an opportunity to be successful," he said. "If because of environment or background someone is behind the level we want him at, we have to help close the gap."
In regards to his responsibility, Robinson w'as quoted in the New York Times article as saying "I feel like we've just blow'n it, and I've blown it. Wre have never honestly faced that problem. We had some remedial classes, but we set them up in a slipshod manner. It's like me throwing a bunch of weights in a room, and having no supervision "
Robinson said Monday the problem with the athletic department was that (he people making decisions about special admissions also had to worry' about w’hether athletes were maintaining their eligibility. He said that people making (Continued on page 5)
trojan
Southern California	Tuesday, October 28, 1980
FOCUSES ON ECONOMY
Senator speaks on major issues
Indian swami offers ‘truth and inner peace’ to Jerry Brown, Carly Simon
Volume LXXXIX. Number 30	University of
By Ronni Ross
Staff Writer
Senate Majority Leader Alan Cranston (D Calif.) spoke about a variety of political issues, ranging from SALT II to medical aid policies, during a question and answer session sponsored bv the Institute of Politics in Grace Ford Salvatori Hall Mondav afternoon.
The speech was one of many local appearances in Cranston's bid for re-election against Republican Paul Gann Cranston is focusing on the economy, inflation, recession, international affairs and SALT II in the campaign. He criticized Gann Sunday after the Republican mistakenly said SALT II would eliminate the building of the MX niissle svstenv
"SALT definitely needs ratili-cation, and achieving nuclear
arms control will require sustained, relentless effort," Cranston said. "Ratification ot SALT could have been possible before the inv'asion of Afghanistan, but not now. Fortunately, SALT has been a subject of debate in the upcoming presiden-
tial election. If Carter wins and enough senators who back SALT are also elected, then w»e could forsee it passing.
"However, if SALT fails, we will have to look towards other measures. We will have to (Continued on page 7)
By James Grant
Feature Editor
"To welcome another person with love is true religion and true humanity This welcome contains great mystery. Cod exists within everyone in the form of consciousness. Cod is one and He is the form of love . . . God is existence and bliss absolute."
Swami Muktananda
Mystics, gurus and other self-proclaimed demigods have been given a bad name because of the fakes that proliferate their profession. But for over 100,000 people in the United States, Swami Muktanada, India's foremost guru, is the real thing.
Now embarked on his fourth U.S. tour, Muktananda has been sought out by such truth seekers as California Gov. jerry’ Brown, actresses Marsha Mason and Olivia Hussey, and singer Carly' Simon, among others.
Since his first visit to the United States in 1970, 300 meditation centers have been established under his supervision.
Muktanada, (or "Baba" as followers call him) remains uncontroversial because his basic philosophy merely offers truth and inner peace in an attempt to reach a higher plain of consciousness.
Muktananda means that those who follow him are seekers of "shakti” the divine energv he savs lies dormant within them.
Followers of the Swami believe that he, a Sid-dah guru in the Hindu tradition, can W’ake that energy with a mere glance.
"The jov of meditation is 1000 times greater
than sleep space," Muktananda said at a recent press conference in Santa Monica.
One reason for Muktananda's popularity is his belief that material objects need not be forsaken to reach the upper echelons of "absolute bliss."
"Material objects have no relevance to the shakti. They are of another world — a lower world," Muktananda said.
Muktananda believes that the inner peace he taps in people is a complement rather than a replacement of other forms of religion. "I truly believe that God exists, and that he lives in all beings . . . God is in this world, and he is in you and me. He exists in all sects, in all spiritual practices. He is free from prejudice," Muktananda said.
"Although he (God) does exist in all religions, he did not create all those different religions, sects and traditions. If God had created all these religions, some of which are friendly to each other while others are hostile, would he not have to be called a politician?" Muktananda said.
Indeed, Muktananda considers the presidential election of only transitory importance. "1 know that for tbi next couple of weeks, everybody is going to wonder who will win the election. But then what? What thoughts will vou have? Yoga and the shakti are things that will last an entire lifetime," Muktananda said.
Muktananda believes that the inner emotions of the individual are the underlying cause of today's world problems. ", . . We are children of one fa-(Continued on page 3)
Staff photo by Steve Hyman
GURU — Swami Muktananda sits beneath a picture of his mentor Swami Nityananda.
ALAN CRANSTON