Student Government Organization Bilingual Newsletter: Student Government Office Vandalism
Item
SGO Newsletter
HOSTOS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Another act of terrorism
We would like to inform the student body of Hostos and The South Bronx Community of what’s happening in our college.
After the arrest of more than forty (40) fellow students, professors and members of the South Bronx community, the college
was taken over by the police. During the take over of the police and the college administration, some reactionary elements
under the orders of President Candido de Leén broke into the office of the Student Government Organization at night. They
spilled ink, and cans of corn on our records, destroying documents of incalculable value. They also stole our only typewriter.
Nevertheless, this act of terrorism, a product of deranged fanatics whose main purpose is to frighten militant students, is not
an isolated act. Shortly after they arrested us, a couple of offices, among those, ECO newspaper, Puerto Rican Student
Organization, and Dominican Student Organization, were ‘‘thoroughly searched’’, and some of these were even robbed.
We advise the student body, and the university community, as well as the South Bronx Community, that acts of this nature
will not remain unpunished. We reaffirm our right to collective self-defense. If the administration wants war, we’ll give them
war. We’re not out to frighten anyone with this type of publication. We simply want to warn that we’re not hibernating, and
that we’ll respond to each and every one of those acts of terrorism, in the way that will have to be answered.
Although it isn’t in our interests to start small wars with the administration, we can’t remain passive while we are being sub-
jected daily to terrorism and provocation. It is the responsibility of the college administration to open an investigation based
on what happened, and to punish those who are responsible for the above mentioned felonies.
If they do not start an investigation, this will be clear evidence of their complicity in all the acts of terrorism which are affect-
ing our college.
Mr. President you are publicly summoned!
HOSTOS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Another act of terrorism
We would like to inform the student body of Hostos and The South Bronx Community of what’s happening in our college.
After the arrest of more than forty (40) fellow students, professors and members of the South Bronx community, the college
was taken over by the police. During the take over of the police and the college administration, some reactionary elements
under the orders of President Candido de Leén broke into the office of the Student Government Organization at night. They
spilled ink, and cans of corn on our records, destroying documents of incalculable value. They also stole our only typewriter.
Nevertheless, this act of terrorism, a product of deranged fanatics whose main purpose is to frighten militant students, is not
an isolated act. Shortly after they arrested us, a couple of offices, among those, ECO newspaper, Puerto Rican Student
Organization, and Dominican Student Organization, were ‘‘thoroughly searched’’, and some of these were even robbed.
We advise the student body, and the university community, as well as the South Bronx Community, that acts of this nature
will not remain unpunished. We reaffirm our right to collective self-defense. If the administration wants war, we’ll give them
war. We’re not out to frighten anyone with this type of publication. We simply want to warn that we’re not hibernating, and
that we’ll respond to each and every one of those acts of terrorism, in the way that will have to be answered.
Although it isn’t in our interests to start small wars with the administration, we can’t remain passive while we are being sub-
jected daily to terrorism and provocation. It is the responsibility of the college administration to open an investigation based
on what happened, and to punish those who are responsible for the above mentioned felonies.
If they do not start an investigation, this will be clear evidence of their complicity in all the acts of terrorism which are affect-
ing our college.
Mr. President you are publicly summoned!
Title
Student Government Organization Bilingual Newsletter: Student Government Office Vandalism
Description
The Student Government Organization published this bilingual newsletter in 1975 to publicize that their offices and the offices of fellow student groups had been searched and robbed in the wake of the occupation of Hostos Community College. The occupation of the school was an act of protest to prevent the school from being shut down by the Board of Higher Education. When police finally ended the occupation and arrested 40 activists, the administration regained control of the building and had access to the offices where student groups were housed.
In 1975, in response to the New York City fiscal crisis, Hostos Community College was slated to merge with Bronx Community College in order to dramatically cut spending. It was this threat that led to the second iteration of organizing to save Hostos. Determined to preserve Hostos for the South Bronx as a place for students to pursue a bilingual higher education, students, faculty, and community groups joined forces to keep Hostos open for the community.
In 1975, in response to the New York City fiscal crisis, Hostos Community College was slated to merge with Bronx Community College in order to dramatically cut spending. It was this threat that led to the second iteration of organizing to save Hostos. Determined to preserve Hostos for the South Bronx as a place for students to pursue a bilingual higher education, students, faculty, and community groups joined forces to keep Hostos open for the community.
Contributor
Meyer, Gerald
Creator
Student Government Organization
Date
1975
Language
English
Spanish
Publisher
SGO Newsletter
Rights
Obtained from Contributor - Copyright Unknown
Source
Hostos Community College Archives
Original Format
Article / Essay
Student Government Organization. Letter. 1974. “Student Government Organization Bilingual Newsletter: Student Government Office Vandalism”, 1974, CUNY DIGITAL HISTORY ARCHIVE, accessed March 10, 2026, https://stephenz.tailc22a4b.ts.net/s/cdha/item/576