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~ REDFORD-STUYVESANT COALITION ON machen ier NEEDS Ae SERVICES
“soly ky 1968
: | ae “CoM
; I...“ Minutes ae
II, Committee Reports a
A. Negotiating Team
“ 1. Meeting with consultants
2. Meeting with C.U.'s staff
3.. Setting up of Coalition's office
-| and other services we!
4 Sos See of soposal.
(a ‘ Ws
jB. oe ic sigh Committee
iil. Old business a i) | : i
IV. New ites iness ‘i .
OI icon splice" .
Al Vana
| Chairman


Derek adpibicis-oe ks ace:

on

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT COALITION ON EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AND SERVICES
Community Meeting | :

7/11/68
The meeting was opened by Mr. Vann. The discussion was immediately
turned to item ITA on the attached agenda. %
The Steering Committee wags informed of a meeting of the Negotiating
Team with three consultants on Institutions of Higher learning. They

were Drs. Berkman. Russell, and Watkins.

As a result of that meeting the Drs. were asked to compile a draft for
@ paper stating the position of the Bedford-Stuyvesant Community on:

1. «The kind of instiwtion™ve need and want (4 yr vs. -2 yr.)

2. Why we need a 4 year college. ' '

3/ A course of action towards obtaining a 4 year school.

Dr. Berkman and Russell each came up with a paper. The two papers
were, as stated by Dr. Berkman, essentially the same. However Mr.

‘Vann felt that they should first be compiled into one paper to be presented

to the Steering Committee. It was suggested that Dr. Berkman ( The only
consultant present) at least summarize the contents of the papers.

The summary brought out the fact that there was a need for a more
clearly defined course of action towards achieving the 4 year school.

The general thinking was that the documents be completed and brought
back for further discussion.

At this point. Judge T.R. Jones stated that he wanted to-go on record

as having strongly warned against any further,delay. He stated that the
consultants had been met 2 weeks prior to this meeting and this was the
first he had come in contact with the papers. He strongly emphasized
the fact that the "powers that be'' will not sit around and wait for us

to drag our feet making a decision. He said that if making a decision :
took all night, he was willing and we should all be willing to sacrifice
whatever time it takes to get the job done. He said, '' Whatever it takes
we must have a finished position paper within 48 hours.

It was then suggested that we have the paper finished ( compile the two)
and ready for finall discussion at an emergency meeting to be called for
the following Sunday. The ensuing discussion centered around having the
finished paper reproduced and mailed to Steering Committee members
prior to this Sunday meeting. It was decided that the Committee members
would be sufficiently prepared for the Sunday discussion if Dr. Berkman
read the draft he had written, which he said the other consultants agreed

contained all of the necessary points. a ‘

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The paper was read. It went in detail into the inability of a 2 year
college to meet the needs of Bedford-Styvesant because, by definition.
a 2 year college is inferior, © a

It also stated that if we must begin with a 2 year school, that the plans
be laid out in such a way that after the intial 2 years the curriculum
continue on into the 4 year Baccalauriate granting stages. Also that all ~
credits obtained in the Bedford-Stuyvesant College be automatically
transferable to any other 4 year school in the City University.

Following the reading, the discussion centered around the urgent need
to. submit a statement of our position to the Board of Higher Education.
Dr. Lee stated that the Board is waiting for us to make a move.

He was reminded that the Negotiatigg Team has submitted a statement of
what we want to the Board, to which the members of the Board have
made verbal committments. At their last meeting with the Board they
‘were promised a written confirmation of those committments. It would
be difficult to make any K$Pgicalimove until we get the committments
already made in writing.

- Judge Jones again stressed the fact that we could not stand still because
schools planned after ours are already in progress and the 34 million
eaar-marked for Bedford-Stuyvesant is in demand.

Jack Pannigan then reminded the Steering Committee of its responsiblity
of -informing the community of inpending decisions. —

e

Mr. Vann suggested that we send registered letters to all organizations
announcing the com:ing meeting. : fe
Rudy Bryyant volunteered to compile a list of all Bed-Stuy organizations.
CBCC reaffirmed its committment to getting out mailings.

“It was moved that a committee te formed to finalize the position drafts
for distribution to the community. The motion was ammended to read
That the Negotiating Team finalize the drafts to be presented to the
Steering Committee for discussion at the next regular meeting ~

The mm ammened motion was unanimously passed:

The other points discused were:

1. The Board would set up office facilities for the Negotiating Team
only on a month-to-month basis. and it would set up a revolving
fund to pay for suppliés. :

2. Their position on consultants is still hazy. }

‘Respectfully submitted

DeeDee Minott; Secretary

DEM/fm