Brooklyn College President's April 18, 1969, Response to Puerto Rican and African-American Students' 18 Demands
Item
BROOKLYN COLLEGE
OF
THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
BROOKLYN, N. ¥. 11210
OF
FICE OF THe PRESIDENT
RESPONSES TO DEMANDS
te DEMAND: We demand that all Black and Puerto Rican students who apply for
admission be accepted regardless of their acquired scholastic record.
RESPONSE: Brooklyn College cannot solve this alone. The City University
is working to admit by 1975 every graduate of every high school in the
city. In the meantime, we are doing all that is within our means to
expand educational opportunities for Black and Puerto Rican students.
fe DEMAND: We demand that a free tutorial program and basic skill courses be
instituted to aid and assist students in order to fulfill their scholastic
potential.
RESPONSE: Although several such programs are presently in operation,
the college recognizes this as an area of deficiency and is actively
seeking resources to staff and finance expansion of these programs.
3. DEMAND: We demand that no course be designated as required and mandatory
attendance be abolished.
RESPONSE: A recommendation will be presented to the Faculty Council
on Tuesday that will provide much wider choice from a large group of
courses. On the matter of mandatory attendance, there is no college
requirement for attendance by sophomores, juniors and seniors. I have
long believed that mandatory attendance is unnecessary even for freshmen,
but the Faculty Council will have to make the final answer on this.
4, DEMAND: We demand that the autonomy of Afro-American and Puerto Rican institutes
be respected as such and be controlled by Black and Puerto Rican students with
the help of the Black and Puerto Rican faculty and the community.
RESPONSE: The planning committee for the Afro-American Institute is
composed totally of Black faculty and students. Virtually the same
structure exists for the planning committee for the Puerto Rican
Institute. Matters of autonomy and community involvement presumably
will be structured by the committees. As an example of community in-
volvement, the Martin Iuther King, Jr. Distinguished Visiting Profes-
sorship was established in direct response to a request by the community.
The college extended the same lectures to the evening, open to the
community, without tuition or registration requirements. Since last
February a student sponsored free lecture series given in the School of
cone Studies has provided a forum for Black and Puerto Rican community
eaders,.
“April 18, 1969
eye,
+ DEMAND: We demand that all biological and chemical warfare research and
CIA activities be completely dismissed from the campus.
RESPONSE: An investigation into this matter was conducted by the
administration last November. No such activities were found to exist
and a presidential directive decreed that none would be contracted.
6. DEMAND: We demand that lounges in the student center be designated as cul-
tural centers for Black and Puerto Rican students and be controlled by Black
and Puerto Rican students.
RESPONSE: Because this is a facility that all students have funded by
a fee levy upon themselves, it is not possible to assign a portion of
the facility permanently and exclusively to any one group. Within
this policy, decisions regarding use of space must be arrived at in
full consultation with the student governments.
7. DEMAND: We demand that a yearly increase of special financial assistance be
given to needy students.
RESPONSE: On July 1, the college will have ten times more money
available for financial assistance than it has this year. Policies
for the administration of these funds, which also cover work-study pro-
grams, were developed with the active participation of Black and Puerto
Rican students. The new monies available should permit more adequate
assistance next year. In addition, guidelines for on-campus student
employment extend first opportunity for jobs to students with financial
needs.
8. DEMAND: We demand that the administration no longer possess the option to
raise campus fees or cost, etc. without a student consensus.
RESPONSE: The college agrees that it will not raise fees without
consultation with students.
9. DEMAND: We demand an increase of no less than twenty-five Black and twenty-five
Puerto Rican teachers, not including those instructors to be employed in the
Black and Puerto Rican Institutes.
RESPONSE: The college has already urged departments to intensify their
efforts to recruit Black and Puerto Rican faculty members. A presidential
search committee will now be established to seek candidates and to receive
recommendations for candidacies from students and members of the faculty
for recommendation to the various departments. We must all understand
that this is a nationally recognized problem, and that The City University
is in competition with many other major institutions for additional
Black and Puerto Rican faculty members,
April 18, 1969
-3-
10. DEMAND: We demand that instructors Ford and Brandstein, professors Slotnik,
Zimmerman, and Farganis maintain their positions and that we, the students
have a say in the hiring and firing of teachers.
RESPONSE: The faculty members listed in item 10 were voted upon
by their departments in accordance with the bylaws governing appoint-
ments. tenure, and reappointments which are described by the Dean of
the Faculties in Kingsman, February 21. One of the faculty members
was recommended for reappointment by his department on March le, 1969.
On the matter of students being involved in appointments and reappoint-
ments, the Faculty Council now has before it a proposal for such parti-
cipation.
11. DEMAND: We demand the dismissal of all white teachers and professors who have
demonstrated racist tendencies: Specially Fitzhugh.
RESPONSE: Racism, wherever it exists, is to be deplored. However, in
the interest of academic freedom, students and faculty members must be
free to express themselves. Where there is tangible evidence of racism,
action in accordance with due process as provided in Section 11.13 of
the bylaws of the Board of Higher Education will be taken. In the case
of tenured staff members the Board of Higher Education alone has the
power of dismissal.
12. DEMAND: We demand that an office be allocated for tutoring and other essential
services and be under the control of Black and Puerto Rican students.
RESPONSE: The response to this item is covered under item 2. However,
if there are specific suggestions not covered under item 2, I would
welcome more details.
13. DEMAND: We demand that a special six credit field course per semester (including
the summer session) be instituted for all Black and Puerto Rican students. These
students will be allowed to work with any chosen organization in a Black or Puerto
Rican community. This organization will grade him.
RESPONSE: Several courses of this nature are already offered for credit
by Brooklyn College. But I have forwarded this request to the appropriate
committee of the Faculty Council for consideration.
14, DEMAND: We demand that no disciplinary action be taken against any student
worker, teacher or administrator in their attempt to implement these demands.
RESPONSE; Brooklyn College supports and defends the rights of all
students and members of the faculty to present their convictions and
to work for them. The college does not intend to suppress any demon-
stration which does not interfere with its normal functions.
April 18, 1969
4) Ih,
15. DEMAND: We demand that the Educational department change its curriculum to
fit the needs of all Black and Puerto Rican community and especially; all
future teachers be required to take Latin American Spanish, that Education
majors be required to take courses that pertain to the Black and Puerto Rican
neighborhoods.
RESPONSE: The Education Department agrees that this is an urgent need
and fully intends to continue its intensified effort to increase the
relevance of its program to children in the inner city schools. For
the past five years all students in methods and practice teaching
courses in elementary schools have been required to serve for 50% of
their teaching experience in inner city schools. The field experience
of all courses will be expanded by decreasing the theoretical aspects
and providing increased credit for field experience. It is also planned
that courses in conversational Latin-American Spanish and methods of
teaching Afro-American history and culture be offered as electives,
—_
16. DEMAND: We demand control of any exterior programs, as the exchange program,
dealing with Puerto Rican and Black people. Brooklyn College is developing
and has developed programs dealing with the Puerto Rican and Black people
through the departments such as the exchange program under the Political
Science dept. to bring Puerto Rican and Black scholars to Brooklyn. The
Puerto Rican and Black students realize that exchange programs are necessary
but that any such programs should be controlled by the Puerto Rican and Black
students through the Puerto Rican and Afro-American Institutes.
RESPONSE: The college agrees that exchange programs are extremely
valuable and has encouraged their development. The Political Science
Department is exploring now a limited program with the University of ;
Puerto Rico that would enable Brooklyn College students to study in
Puerto Rico, Puerto Rican students to study at Brooklyn College. There
is also the possibility of exchanging at least one faculty memver on
the same basis. This type of program can be expanded into other fields.
17. DEMAND: We demand that Mrs. Willie Watson be appointed as director of the
Brooklyn College Bookstore,
RESPONSE: A Brooklyn College faculty-student committee has recommended
unanimously, after full consideration of all of the facts, that the
present Bookstore operation should be converted to a concessionaire
operation. This recommendation was made in the expectation that the
concessionaire will guarantee that at least $50,000 will be realized
annually by this means, compared to approximately $5,000 earned by the
Bookstore last year. This $50,000 will be used to reduce book prices
and to fund student programs, with the advice of students. The contract
with the concessionaire provides that all full and part-time personel
having two-years of prior service will have the same job protection
they now enjoy; and also that these employees will receive the same
consideration in terms of training, advancement, and financial remuneration
April 18, 1969
PRG) =
that the concessionaire gives his own staff with similar seniority;
and further, that there will be no discrimination in hiring or re-
tention of employees because of race, religion, or national origin.
ibs}. DEMAND: Free the twenty-one Panthers Framed-up by D.A. Hogan, and the
City of New York.
RESPONSE: This is a matter over which the college has no jurisdiction,
OF
THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
BROOKLYN, N. ¥. 11210
OF
FICE OF THe PRESIDENT
RESPONSES TO DEMANDS
te DEMAND: We demand that all Black and Puerto Rican students who apply for
admission be accepted regardless of their acquired scholastic record.
RESPONSE: Brooklyn College cannot solve this alone. The City University
is working to admit by 1975 every graduate of every high school in the
city. In the meantime, we are doing all that is within our means to
expand educational opportunities for Black and Puerto Rican students.
fe DEMAND: We demand that a free tutorial program and basic skill courses be
instituted to aid and assist students in order to fulfill their scholastic
potential.
RESPONSE: Although several such programs are presently in operation,
the college recognizes this as an area of deficiency and is actively
seeking resources to staff and finance expansion of these programs.
3. DEMAND: We demand that no course be designated as required and mandatory
attendance be abolished.
RESPONSE: A recommendation will be presented to the Faculty Council
on Tuesday that will provide much wider choice from a large group of
courses. On the matter of mandatory attendance, there is no college
requirement for attendance by sophomores, juniors and seniors. I have
long believed that mandatory attendance is unnecessary even for freshmen,
but the Faculty Council will have to make the final answer on this.
4, DEMAND: We demand that the autonomy of Afro-American and Puerto Rican institutes
be respected as such and be controlled by Black and Puerto Rican students with
the help of the Black and Puerto Rican faculty and the community.
RESPONSE: The planning committee for the Afro-American Institute is
composed totally of Black faculty and students. Virtually the same
structure exists for the planning committee for the Puerto Rican
Institute. Matters of autonomy and community involvement presumably
will be structured by the committees. As an example of community in-
volvement, the Martin Iuther King, Jr. Distinguished Visiting Profes-
sorship was established in direct response to a request by the community.
The college extended the same lectures to the evening, open to the
community, without tuition or registration requirements. Since last
February a student sponsored free lecture series given in the School of
cone Studies has provided a forum for Black and Puerto Rican community
eaders,.
“April 18, 1969
eye,
+ DEMAND: We demand that all biological and chemical warfare research and
CIA activities be completely dismissed from the campus.
RESPONSE: An investigation into this matter was conducted by the
administration last November. No such activities were found to exist
and a presidential directive decreed that none would be contracted.
6. DEMAND: We demand that lounges in the student center be designated as cul-
tural centers for Black and Puerto Rican students and be controlled by Black
and Puerto Rican students.
RESPONSE: Because this is a facility that all students have funded by
a fee levy upon themselves, it is not possible to assign a portion of
the facility permanently and exclusively to any one group. Within
this policy, decisions regarding use of space must be arrived at in
full consultation with the student governments.
7. DEMAND: We demand that a yearly increase of special financial assistance be
given to needy students.
RESPONSE: On July 1, the college will have ten times more money
available for financial assistance than it has this year. Policies
for the administration of these funds, which also cover work-study pro-
grams, were developed with the active participation of Black and Puerto
Rican students. The new monies available should permit more adequate
assistance next year. In addition, guidelines for on-campus student
employment extend first opportunity for jobs to students with financial
needs.
8. DEMAND: We demand that the administration no longer possess the option to
raise campus fees or cost, etc. without a student consensus.
RESPONSE: The college agrees that it will not raise fees without
consultation with students.
9. DEMAND: We demand an increase of no less than twenty-five Black and twenty-five
Puerto Rican teachers, not including those instructors to be employed in the
Black and Puerto Rican Institutes.
RESPONSE: The college has already urged departments to intensify their
efforts to recruit Black and Puerto Rican faculty members. A presidential
search committee will now be established to seek candidates and to receive
recommendations for candidacies from students and members of the faculty
for recommendation to the various departments. We must all understand
that this is a nationally recognized problem, and that The City University
is in competition with many other major institutions for additional
Black and Puerto Rican faculty members,
April 18, 1969
-3-
10. DEMAND: We demand that instructors Ford and Brandstein, professors Slotnik,
Zimmerman, and Farganis maintain their positions and that we, the students
have a say in the hiring and firing of teachers.
RESPONSE: The faculty members listed in item 10 were voted upon
by their departments in accordance with the bylaws governing appoint-
ments. tenure, and reappointments which are described by the Dean of
the Faculties in Kingsman, February 21. One of the faculty members
was recommended for reappointment by his department on March le, 1969.
On the matter of students being involved in appointments and reappoint-
ments, the Faculty Council now has before it a proposal for such parti-
cipation.
11. DEMAND: We demand the dismissal of all white teachers and professors who have
demonstrated racist tendencies: Specially Fitzhugh.
RESPONSE: Racism, wherever it exists, is to be deplored. However, in
the interest of academic freedom, students and faculty members must be
free to express themselves. Where there is tangible evidence of racism,
action in accordance with due process as provided in Section 11.13 of
the bylaws of the Board of Higher Education will be taken. In the case
of tenured staff members the Board of Higher Education alone has the
power of dismissal.
12. DEMAND: We demand that an office be allocated for tutoring and other essential
services and be under the control of Black and Puerto Rican students.
RESPONSE: The response to this item is covered under item 2. However,
if there are specific suggestions not covered under item 2, I would
welcome more details.
13. DEMAND: We demand that a special six credit field course per semester (including
the summer session) be instituted for all Black and Puerto Rican students. These
students will be allowed to work with any chosen organization in a Black or Puerto
Rican community. This organization will grade him.
RESPONSE: Several courses of this nature are already offered for credit
by Brooklyn College. But I have forwarded this request to the appropriate
committee of the Faculty Council for consideration.
14, DEMAND: We demand that no disciplinary action be taken against any student
worker, teacher or administrator in their attempt to implement these demands.
RESPONSE; Brooklyn College supports and defends the rights of all
students and members of the faculty to present their convictions and
to work for them. The college does not intend to suppress any demon-
stration which does not interfere with its normal functions.
April 18, 1969
4) Ih,
15. DEMAND: We demand that the Educational department change its curriculum to
fit the needs of all Black and Puerto Rican community and especially; all
future teachers be required to take Latin American Spanish, that Education
majors be required to take courses that pertain to the Black and Puerto Rican
neighborhoods.
RESPONSE: The Education Department agrees that this is an urgent need
and fully intends to continue its intensified effort to increase the
relevance of its program to children in the inner city schools. For
the past five years all students in methods and practice teaching
courses in elementary schools have been required to serve for 50% of
their teaching experience in inner city schools. The field experience
of all courses will be expanded by decreasing the theoretical aspects
and providing increased credit for field experience. It is also planned
that courses in conversational Latin-American Spanish and methods of
teaching Afro-American history and culture be offered as electives,
—_
16. DEMAND: We demand control of any exterior programs, as the exchange program,
dealing with Puerto Rican and Black people. Brooklyn College is developing
and has developed programs dealing with the Puerto Rican and Black people
through the departments such as the exchange program under the Political
Science dept. to bring Puerto Rican and Black scholars to Brooklyn. The
Puerto Rican and Black students realize that exchange programs are necessary
but that any such programs should be controlled by the Puerto Rican and Black
students through the Puerto Rican and Afro-American Institutes.
RESPONSE: The college agrees that exchange programs are extremely
valuable and has encouraged their development. The Political Science
Department is exploring now a limited program with the University of ;
Puerto Rico that would enable Brooklyn College students to study in
Puerto Rico, Puerto Rican students to study at Brooklyn College. There
is also the possibility of exchanging at least one faculty memver on
the same basis. This type of program can be expanded into other fields.
17. DEMAND: We demand that Mrs. Willie Watson be appointed as director of the
Brooklyn College Bookstore,
RESPONSE: A Brooklyn College faculty-student committee has recommended
unanimously, after full consideration of all of the facts, that the
present Bookstore operation should be converted to a concessionaire
operation. This recommendation was made in the expectation that the
concessionaire will guarantee that at least $50,000 will be realized
annually by this means, compared to approximately $5,000 earned by the
Bookstore last year. This $50,000 will be used to reduce book prices
and to fund student programs, with the advice of students. The contract
with the concessionaire provides that all full and part-time personel
having two-years of prior service will have the same job protection
they now enjoy; and also that these employees will receive the same
consideration in terms of training, advancement, and financial remuneration
April 18, 1969
PRG) =
that the concessionaire gives his own staff with similar seniority;
and further, that there will be no discrimination in hiring or re-
tention of employees because of race, religion, or national origin.
ibs}. DEMAND: Free the twenty-one Panthers Framed-up by D.A. Hogan, and the
City of New York.
RESPONSE: This is a matter over which the college has no jurisdiction,
Title
Brooklyn College President's April 18, 1969, Response to Puerto Rican and African-American Students' 18 Demands
Description
The Office of the President at Brooklyn College (BC) responded on April 18, 1969, to the 18 Demands presented by Puerto Rican and African-American students earlier that month. In response to the first demands, the office alluded to CUNY's proposed 1975 implementation date for Open Admissions, revealing the intensifying student-led movement for immediate implementation of Open Admissions that spread throughout the CUNY system, including the BC campus. The president's responses also detailed how the student-led movement had pushed the transformation of the college because of their demand to establish institutes for Puerto Rican and Afro-American Studies.
This item is part of the Puerto Rican Studies at Brooklyn College (PRSBC) Collection, which covers the largely Puerto Rican-led student movement at Brooklyn College (CUNY) during the late 1960s and early 1970s that fought for the creation of the Puerto Rican Studies Department at the college. The collection includes oral history interviews with pioneering student activists, photographs of participants and their struggles, and other archival materials on the fight to create the Puerto Rican Studies Department drawn from the Archives and Special Collections library at Brooklyn College.
This item is part of the Puerto Rican Studies at Brooklyn College (PRSBC) Collection, which covers the largely Puerto Rican-led student movement at Brooklyn College (CUNY) during the late 1960s and early 1970s that fought for the creation of the Puerto Rican Studies Department at the college. The collection includes oral history interviews with pioneering student activists, photographs of participants and their struggles, and other archival materials on the fight to create the Puerto Rican Studies Department drawn from the Archives and Special Collections library at Brooklyn College.
Contributor
Brooklyn College Library, Archives and Special Collections
Creator
The Office of the President at Brooklyn College
Date
April 18, 1969
Language
English
Relation
13922
14152
14142
14122
14132
Rights
Public Domain
Source
Brooklyn College Library, Archives and Special Collections
Original Format
Memorandum/Press Release / Statement
The Office of the President at Brooklyn College. Letter. “Brooklyn College President’s April 18, 1969, Response to Puerto Rican and African-American Students’ 18 Demands”. 13922, CUNY DIGITAL HISTORY ARCHIVE, accessed March 10, 2026, https://stephenz.tailc22a4b.ts.net/s/cdha/item/2117